By chance, have you experienced unseasonably warm temperatures this year? Boy, my family sure has! In fact, today I noticed a tree with buds poised on its branches, each one prepared to bloom. My husband also discovered our tulips have emerged from their dormant state, appearing rejuvenated and restored. Seasonal transformations are always wonderful and miraculous, but this time they were premature. Just like Nature, sometimes an individual’s instinct proves inaccurate, premature, or merely poorly timed. Therefore, should you follow your instinct or G.U.T. (God’s Unparalleled Timing)?
A Personal Example When Following My Instinct Proved Problematic
Every school year, I found myself the youngest in the class. Like many people, especially teenagers, I possessed a natural, human desire to belong and feel accepted (i.e., peer pressure). Unfortunately, often impervious to a person’s age, peer pressure wields immense power and influence, luring people to do things not in their best interest. As an easily influenced, naive high school freshman, I admired the older girls on my dance team and wanted their acceptance. Regrettably, I succumbed to peer pressure.
One evening during a dance team rehearsal with the marching band, I jumped up and landed in the splits on the football field. Well, that is what was supposed to happen. In reality, while attempting this maneuver, the heel of my boot caught on the football field’s grass. When I landed, my leg was precariously positioned, and my hip snapped. As I attempted to stand, the leg on the affected side began spasming, alerting something was terribly wrong.
Fortunately, my parents took me to a doctor. After carefully reviewing my x-rays, the doctor repositioned my hip back into its proper place (which, by the way, was rather unpleasant). He cautioned me to refrain from any activity which required lifting my leg beyond a certain point. Suffice it to say, the bar was set extremely low. My healing and recovery hinged upon how well I followed the instructions of someone who knew a great deal more about my situation than I did. What do you think happened?
Like many people, I was impatient. Even though I had been removed from future performances for a period of time, my doctor permitted me to participate in rehearsals. Again, the caveat was I must refrain from certain actions, which would impede my recovery.
Near the end of practice one day, the time came for a kick line. A well-executed kick line only happens when all kicks are at the same height. Knowing this, I did not want to be the one person who ruined it for everyone. Driven by an instinctual desire to conform, I pushed myself beyond my body’s limits and reinjured my hip.
Immediately after practice, my mother returned me to the doctor. Facing the medical expert whose instructions I disregarded, I felt ashamed for following my instinct instead of the expert’s knowledge. Ultimately, succumbing to peer pressure proved harmful and brought lasting ramifications. How? My hip never healed properly.
Making Connections
Parallels exist between my story and moments when God directs His children. How? Well, in the personal experience I shared, I allowed my instinct to override the doctor’s medical advice. Not following the expert’s instructions proved detrimental. Similarly, God provides His children guidance and instruction. However, how often do they allow their human instinct to override the message from the One who knows best?
Why People Should Override Their Instinct
First, let me say I find it incredibly difficult to override my instinct in certain situations. How about you? After all, as humans we are perfectly imperfect! Thankfully, our Creator understands this. Nevertheless, problems arise when the enemy knocks us off kilter, potentially diverting us away from God’s plan for our lives.
Redirecting your life’s path can happen without you even realizing it, one small choice at a time. How? Unfortunately, the enemy is stealthy in his attempts to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10, NIV). One way he accomplishes his mission is by tricking God’s children into believing their sense of timing, or instinct, is right (i.e., peer pressure to belong, to conform, to compare, to keep up with, etc.). Instead, each of us can override this instinct by relying on our gut, or rather G.U.T. (God’s Unparalleled Timing), instead.
What Scripture Says about Relying on Your G.U.T.
When faced with confounding situations, a person must decide whether to trust their instinct or rely on their G.U.T. As we have already discussed, responding solely based upon instinct may not result in the desired outcome. Just remember how Nature prematurely acts, based upon instinct, when deceived by triggers in the world (i.e., unseasonably warmer temperatures). Furthermore, think about the personal experience I shared about acting instinctively, almost as if by reflex, triggered by desires of this world (i.e., acceptance, belonging, etc.).
Since instinct is not always reliable, let’s think about how to override it by focusing on our GUT. Scripture tells us to obey God’s message by saying, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). Now, let’s take a look at each of the highlighted parts of this verse.
Listening to God
Listening to God requires us to still ourselves, but first we must seek Him in prayer. According to Psalm 119:125 (NIV), we can (and I propose should) pray to the Father for discernment in any situation and circumstance. Then, patiently and faithfully wait for His message to guide us. This is not always easy because our timing is different than His. Nevertheless, it is necessary. You see, if you allow the hustle and bustle around you (i.e., the enemy’s sly, deceiving, and distracting ways) to take your focus away from being focused on God’s presence in your life, you risk missing out on the Heavenly Father’s messages for you.
The Word
When Scripture refers to The Word, its meaning is multifaceted. First, The Word refers to Scripture. In fact, Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) clearly states, “For the word of God is alive and active….” This is good news for us. Why? It means God’s Word in Scripture is as relevant today as it was when this verse was originally written. How comforting to know God’s message for you can be discovered by reading and studying the Bible.
Secondly, The Word is another name used when referring to Christ. The apostle John writes, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14, NIV). As I have stated in previous writings, no better role model exists for how to live than Jesus Christ. Thankfully, Scripture is filled with Christ’s teachings on many topics, and they serve as a guidepost for all His followers (past, present, and future).
Finally, The Word can also reference the Holy Spirit. How? We established Christ is known as The Word, and His teachings live among the pages of Scripture. In one of His messages found in the Book of John, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as also being The Word. Jesus explains, “He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify me [Jesus] because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the [Holy] Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you” (John 16:14-15, NIV). Simply, when Jesus ascended to Heaven, He sent His followers the Holy Spirit to act on His behalf.
Following God’s Message
Once while in Jerusalem for the Festival of Dedication, Jesus spoke to Jews who wanted confirmation of His identity as the Messiah. Scripture tells us Jesus says to them, “My sheep [God’s children] listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). This was not the only time Jesus made a statement like this. For example, during a conversation in which Jesus predicts His impending death, He states, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be…” (John 12:26, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). Finally, we established the Holy Spirit works on Jesus’s behalf. Therefore, it should come as no surprise Scripture provides guidance on following God’s message conveyed through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul addresses this when he writes, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis).
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
It’s incredibly difficult to override instinct. However, as long as your focus remains on God and not on earthly things, the timing will always be divinely perfect, regardless of the situation or circumstance. Yes. Always. Even if God requires you wait a bit longer than you want (which is certainly not easy), rest assured the timing will be perfect. Now, how will you answer the original question? Should you follow your instinct or G.U.T. (God’s Unparalleled Timing)?
Related Posts:
Make God Your G.P.S. (Great Personal Savior) on Life’s Journey
Seek God Daily with Love and Dogged Persistence
“Spiritual” Gymnasts Soar by Taking Leaps of Faith and Following God