Imagine charting your life by the clouds. You look up and you begin to chase some cloud you see in the sky. As you head for its shadow, you realize that you never come to a clear destination. That is similar to charting your life by human emotions. Once you get to where your emotions were leading you, they are off chasing some other amusement or joy.   

Try to measure anything by how happy it makes you feel at the moment, and your life will end up a disaster. What satisfied yesterday may not be so rewarding today. I had a friend once who landed his dream job at a dream salary. He felt that he was set for the rest of his life. Months later he hated his job and felt no money on earth was worth the hell he experienced each day as he trudged to work. The job was exactly what he had been offered, so what happened? He became bored and disinterested; from there, his emotions took over and all he could think about was another place to work. Eventually he was laid off, only to experience a deep wish that he had his job back. We all have stories and the conclusion is always the same—don’t trust your emotions to guide you where you should go, or you will regret it.  

I have found in life that it is best to deny emotions and to order your steps on the basis of three words from God.

1.    The Abiding Word of God

This is the Word that dwells in us at all times, the unchanging, unquestioning perspective we have on what God has clearly stated in His Word. “Let the Word of God dwell in you richly.”  Colossians 3:16 NKJV

2.    The Revealed Word of God

This is God showing us who He really is. He will speak some word to us, revealing who He really is by what He wants to do. Generally, the revealed word of God requires risk to fulfill, meaning we must go against our feelings. We can do it because, when God reveals His word, He also reveals His character which overcomes us with trust.

“He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.” Psalms 103:7 NLV

3.    The Corrective Word of God

Sometimes we are flat-out headed the wrong direction, and we need God to come and adjust our course. When this happens, we’re usually led to head in the opposite direction of our feelings. “It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

Chart your life on the basis of these three words and you are certain to live most of your days with the experience of “filled with joy.”