Believe Different
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." – Romans 12:2
If you have ever been to a doctor for pain, you have probably been asked to rate it on a scale from one to ten. It is a way to measure what you are experiencing. But when it comes to emotions, it is not that simple. Emotions are complex, and sometimes it is hard to even put into words what you are feeling. That is why counselors use emotional charts. They help pinpoint what is really going on beneath the surface.
If you do not learn to recognize what you are feeling and understand why, your emotions will dictate your life. You will be tossed back and forth by feelings you cannot explain. You will react instead of respond, and over time, your decisions will shape the person you become. Your emotions are real, but they are not always telling you the truth. They are influenced by your past experiences, your pain, and the filters you see the world through. If you do not take the time to understand them, they will lead you in the wrong direction.
So how do you fix this? It is not about trying harder or forcing yourself to do better. It starts with believing differently. You cannot change how you feel overnight, but you can start changing what you believe. Instead of letting past trauma define you, you can ask God to help you see what he is doing through it. Instead of being paralyzed by fear or disappointment, you can trust that God is working all things for your good.
Ask Him today, “God help us to believe different. Help us see beyond our past. Help us recognize the good that has come out of the hard things we have faced. Let us not be defined by what we have been through but by the truth of what you say about us.” If you ask Him, He will do it. He will renew your mind, and when He does, everything changes.
If you have ever been to a doctor for pain, you have probably been asked to rate it on a scale from one to ten. It is a way to measure what you are experiencing. But when it comes to emotions, it is not that simple. Emotions are complex, and sometimes it is hard to even put into words what you are feeling. That is why counselors use emotional charts. They help pinpoint what is really going on beneath the surface.
If you do not learn to recognize what you are feeling and understand why, your emotions will dictate your life. You will be tossed back and forth by feelings you cannot explain. You will react instead of respond, and over time, your decisions will shape the person you become. Your emotions are real, but they are not always telling you the truth. They are influenced by your past experiences, your pain, and the filters you see the world through. If you do not take the time to understand them, they will lead you in the wrong direction.
So how do you fix this? It is not about trying harder or forcing yourself to do better. It starts with believing differently. You cannot change how you feel overnight, but you can start changing what you believe. Instead of letting past trauma define you, you can ask God to help you see what he is doing through it. Instead of being paralyzed by fear or disappointment, you can trust that God is working all things for your good.
Ask Him today, “God help us to believe different. Help us see beyond our past. Help us recognize the good that has come out of the hard things we have faced. Let us not be defined by what we have been through but by the truth of what you say about us.” If you ask Him, He will do it. He will renew your mind, and when He does, everything changes.
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2026
January
When Prayer Feels Like Bad ReceptionTeach Us to Pray AgainRelationship Over RequestsPulled Toward HeavenWhen God Says No, Slow, Grow, or GoPray Bigger PrayersPray Without Ceasing in Real LifeWhen Persistence Feels PointlessWhen Darkness Reacts to LightWorship as WarfareChains Fall in His PresenceNot Who I Used to BeWhen God Reveals the BattleNo Fear in the Presence of PowerSet Free to WorshipVictory Is NowWhat You Love, You ShareGod Has a Brag Book, and You’re in ItThe Moment You Missed and the Mercy That RemainsBetter Today Than YesterdayAvailability Over AbilityThe Search for SignificanceWhen God Sets Up the MomentExplain the Hope Within YouThe Gospel Starts Where People AreSalt Has to Leave the ShakerWhat Defines You Determines YouYou’re Richer Than You RealizeThe Quiet Sin No One ConfessesYou Can’t Serve Two MastersThe Token That Stopped Spending
2025
January
Why Me?Ordinary but ChosenYour Past Prepares You for God's FutureWhy Not Me?The Burden of PreparationIt’s Bigger Than YouJust Show UpAnchored in PrayerBreakthrough Was Always God's PlanWaiting on Your BreakthroughTransformative Power of PrayerThe Art of PrayerThe God of BreakthroughKryptoniteLifelineThe Dare of DependenceWho Needs Your Prayers?Soaring in PrayerObedience Through PrayerThe Power of Prayer in Overcoming TemptationIs Your Heart Prepared for God's Mighty Work?The Joy of SimplicityPatient in Affliction, Faithful in PrayerBurning PrayersWhile You Wait...He WorksChoosing His Will with Free WillEquipped for Victory: Overcoming Sin from WithinEverydayThe Great I AMSaying Yes to GodOrdinary People, Extraordinary God
February
Freedom from LabelsFaithful Before the AppointmentLabels Don’t Define YouPut Off the ArmorRun Your Own RaceA Champion, Not a ContestantThe Story’s Not OverWhat Really MattersWinning the Battle WithinYou Are Positioned for a PurposeYour Worth Is SetYou Are EnoughTake Off the MaskOn Purpose, For a PurposeKnown. Loved. Enough.What Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Trying to Hide?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?What Are You Chasing?Stop Faking ItAre You Living in Fear?Stop Hiding Behind FearLive in God’s TruthOne OpportunityYour Identity Is in ChristYou’re His WorkmanshipYour Weakness Doesn’t Disqualify YouYou’re in God’s Providence

1 Comment
Thank you sir. I’ve noticed that sometimes when I guess the emotion is strong enough a story will start developing as well. First I tell myself the story and then eventually I may even start selling this story to others. It strengthens those emotions so they have a stronger hold on me and it can be really difficult to get free of once it goes on for awhile. The sooner I can challenge the story, the sooner I can be free of the emotion holding me hostage. It’s funny to me how it took me upwards of 15 years to even know what self-seeking actually looked like. This story based on fear that I would tell myself would lead me into a position set to either get even or do something ultimately that is self destructive. All based on a story that may not even be factual in the first place. This is where living a life based on Gods biblical principles has really shined for me. Now no matter the situation, whether the story is true or not, my actions must demonstrate Gods commands with integrity. Far from perfect but sure has made a huge difference.