real v. true
June 3, 2009
One of the biggest things I’ve learned in recent months is this:
Just because something is real, doesn’t mean it’s true.
When what is real—what’s happening to me or around me-–contradicts what is true—what God says about me or my circumstances—I have a decision to make. I need to choose on which I’m going to base my thoughts, decisions, and actions. How I respond in that moment reflects which I believe more, what’s real or what’s true .
More than I’d like to admit, my life shows that I believe in reality more than truth.
I’m working on changing that.
How does this play out in your own life?
This is one of the best terminology I’ve heard for this scenario. Real vs. True. Paul calls it ‘the temporal realm’ vs ‘the eternal realm.’ Or ‘What our eyes see’ vs ‘from the Spirit.’ I like how you’ve described it.
in all honesty, i hadn’t even thought of how it was similar to the whole “fix your eyes on what’s eternal rather than what’s temporary” passage. VERY cool.
i think you are totally right.
real: my seven year old’s fears of earhthquakes and fire.
true: it probably won’t happen and even if it did, she will be protected.
FEAR: it is real but usually based on lies.
That’s so funny, I was just debating whether or not to send you an email about that very subject. I couldn’t think how to word what’s been going on in my heart. I can not seem to choose the truth over the realities (I stubbornly refuse). What is real is the pain and utter anguish I feel towards the things that have happened, the things God let happen (wether he caused them or not). What is true, God is good, he’s on my side, he knows what he’s doing, he loves me even in this state I’m in. I know it’s true but it’s not real to me. How do you make it real?
I have been wondering how it is you stay so… encouraging… in the midst of it all. Most days I can’t see past my own writhing to be encouraging to anyone. I am so wrapped up in the ‘real’ that I’m not sure I even believe in the ‘true’ anymore, I can’t help but ask questions, and doubt has seeded itself in my very spirit it seems. What a dangerous place this is.
Clinging to God is my only option, eyes tightly shut, knuckles white, and some distant echoing cry for help lingering on my lips… it’s all I have from day to day, moment to moment. Can you really just choose to overcome? What does it take to carry on in love when it seems all trace of it has left your life? How did Jesus do it at the cross…
You don’t have to answer any of that really, I was just venting. Thanks for posting that, as always you inspire my thoughts and emotions and help me find just the right words.
so wild that you were gonna email me about this.
i love hearing your heart and knowing more of where you’re at. i’m thinking of you and praying for you.
keep clinging, friend. i’m right next to you.
[i love your new gravatar pic!]
I just had to deal with a situation about this the other day. To make a looooooooong story short, I had to basically say to XXX, just because its the reality of the world, doesnt make it right or true. (we were talking about sex before marriage and co-habitation before marriage, and that no one waits anymore). In XXX’s reality, no one waits, so XXX couldn’t understand why I would. I was being pushed to the limit and my beliefs were being tested beyond what I have ever had to deal with (not only in the sex arena either). In the end, I had to say…this might be “reality” but I have to choose truth over it. It was really difficult and XXX made me feel like some wierdo alien person.
Sometimes its easier to conform to reality verses sticking to the truth. I know that I’m constantly working on that too ;)
I like how you phrased this:
I need to choose on which I’m going to base my thoughts, decisions, and actions.
It is not a state of denial with fingers in the ears saying la la la until the storm blows over. It is a choice of certain action.
How wise you are.
One of the things I remind my self of constantly is that feelings are not always fact. What I am feeling is not necessarily reality. What is reality that is stable and steady and can be stood upon always is God’s truth. That is fact and that is reality. His promises are true and He always does what He says He will do. I have been in that place where what God has said matches absolutely nothing that my earthly eyes can see. Where I have had to fight with all I had against emotions, satan’s lies in my ears, people’s opinions. I had to cling to the very words that God had spoken over me in the midst of the storm and that, my sweet friend, is the very best place to be. He never fails and is always right on time. Thank you, Jesus!
Love you and your transparency. Awesome!
amen sister!!
this is something i battle almost every day. for me, i can even preach/teach this from the stage & i sometimes doubt it.
this is a great reminder for me to not let what is taking place around me dictate how/what i believe God is really like (his attributes…).
thanks for sharing this alece!
In life it seems to me I am too focused on my today, on my life, and my little world. Reality defined by me. In those desperate “life moments,” I turned to God for direction. Do I always – admittedly no. A big “Ugh” from me on that point.
To put it in a different context – it is similar to basic journalism structure for a photograph caption. When I type up a photo caption, I concentrate on the 5 W’s – who, what, when, where, why, and then I add something extra.
The 5 W’s are our reality. Things that happen. Things that we “think” we control. But, then you add in “the something extra” and everything changes. Sure the basic 5 W’s still exist but we view them slightly differently when we add God into the mix.
So, to bring this full circle, I worry so much on what I think is real. What I think I can change – the 5 W’s – that I forget about the “something extra.”
appreciate the perspective you added to this. thank you.
Thank you Alece! I deal with this subject on a pretty much regular basis… what I feel..what is “real” versus what is the TRUTH!
“But the voice of truth, tells me a different story,
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid”
And the voice of truth says “this is for MY glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me…
I will choose to listen and believe
The Voice of Truth.”
Casting Crowns
This is my theme song :)
I love that song. It is the ringer on my phone … for that very reason … to remind me to listen to the Voice of Truth … the One who never fails!
oh, that is so true.
and so easy to forget.
nicely put.
the summer after my freshman year in college, i listened to an audio sermon set on emotions which touched on this point.
i listened to it repeatedly for that entire summer; it literally altered everything about the way i viewed reality and truth.
i think of phil. 4:8…where it says something like “whatever is true, noble, etc…think on these.”
Who did the sermon series?
a pastor out of oklahoma named duane sheriff.
if you’re interested in the series, it’s free (as far as i understand), and you can order it here:
https://www.dsheriff.org/secure/productdetail.aspx?id=MS-29-CD
I have heard him speak. He is a real down to earth, don’t mince words kind of guy. small world, eh?
The reality of my childhood was that I spent most of my time alone, and became a hate filled, very angry, young boy.
The truth was my mother spent much of her life in the hospital, from a heart condition, and my father worked seven days a week to pay the bills.
Reality can be thought of as the circumstances, facts, of the world we live in. The truth can be thought of as how we react to this world, based on the person we become.
We sometimes don’t have that much control over the world we live. We can take control over how we choose to live in it.
Amen, Ed.
Yes, amen.
look at you, rakin’ in the “amen”s, ed!
you’ve got so much goodness in that heart of yours!
Ed thank you for speaking what I wanted to say all day. My situation is different, but yoou so outline it perfect. Again amen