The Heart Comes First

So what about the saying, “Think with your brain, not with your heart”?
Does that contradict what this chapter is saying?

At first glance, it might seem like it does. If the heart comes first, does that mean we should make decisions based on emotion?

No. Absolutely not.

What it actually emphasizes is the importance of tending to the state of the heart before making any move, speaking any words, or coming to a decision.

Someone who is led by an emotional heart is prone to reacting from the current emotion rather than from clarity or reason. When we’re angry, we want to lash out. When we’re sad, we want to disappear. When we’re happy, we overextend. When we’re fearful, we’ll do whatever it takes to escape. When we’re hurt, we want revenge.

These are natural human emotions. We’ve all experienced them.

I’m speaking from experience here. I’ve made decisions from emotion more times than I’d like to admit — and I can’t think of a single time when thinking with my heart worked in my favor. Even acting from what I believed was “love” has burned me more times than I care to count.

This is a discipline that has to be trained — continuously. Because if you don’t (and I’m talking to myself here), it’s incredibly easy to fall back into old habits.

A few subchapters ago, we talked about the importance of pausing. This is the best friend of an emotional heart. When you know your heart is overwhelmed, pause. Take the time — however long you need — to give it space to breathe. Only then does clarity return. Only then can your mind engage properly.

Pray.
Cry.
Breathe.
Repeat.

Continue the Reflection

This entry is part of Peace in the Chaos — a body of work exploring steadiness, restraint, and faith in an unsteady world.

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