Have you ever found yourself in a mess—yet worked overtime pretending everything was fine? Maybe you overspent during the holidays and didn’t budget well, but instead of being honest, you tried to fix it quietly. Borrowed a little. Applied for a credit card, and told yourself you’d “figure it out.” Or maybe you told a lie… and then another one… just to protect the first. Sometimes we can be incredibly skilled at creating deep, stinky messes—and then acting surprised by the smell

If I listened to my feelings, I would never accomplish the purposes God has ordained for me. If I let my emotions lead, I would spend every day watching Netflix, eating chips and queso in bed, and calling it “self-care.” Self-care is good. Soul-care is necessary. But I am asking God to give me discernment so I will know the difference between self-care and rebellion hidden under procrastination, complacency and fear. May God strengthen us to always be led by God and not our feelings.

And now, I find myself in another heart test. A different kind—but no less significant. This one is about food… but really friends, it’s about love.