Have you ever seen the bumper sticker: “If it feels good, do it!”?  In many ways, that slogan characterizes the approach of so many people today.  A stream of books, articles, commentary, advertisements and dialogue points to feelings as the basic measure of happiness, as the truest aspect of one’s true self.  Feelings are continually represented as central to self-fulfillment and the development of one’s potential.

A popular psychiatrist-author states the “modern” perspective in no uncertain terms:  “Being in touch with your feelings is the only way you can ever become your highest self, the only way you can become open and free, the only way you can become your own person…  If you don’t live in your feelings, you don’t live in the real world.  Feelings are the truth.”

This perspective, however, leads to an approach to life which is essentially focused on the self.  This is most dangerous for any of us.

Much of the modern secular society is permeated with an emphatic belief that feelings and self-concern are of primary importance for living, behaving, understanding the reality of life and overcoming personal problems.  This belief is fundamentally incompatible with our Christian approach to life.  Therefore, we Christians ought to approach this secular psychology with caution, wisdom and prudence.

We need to be aware of the underlying premises of various psychologies being offered to us in this age of feelings.  Often it will be found that a given technique is founded on certain premises of various psychologies being offered us in this age of feelings.  Often it will be found that a given technique is founded on certain concepts that, while not necessarily evil, are in direct opposition to Christian truth, the teaching of scripture and faith in Jesus as Lord.

Certainly no Christian can agree that self-development through increased emotional experience and awareness is the essence of the meaning of life.  In fact, such a view is fundamentally opposed to the gospel which triumphantly declares that the meaning of life is found in Jesus, “the way, the truth and the life.”

Scripture makes it clear that all meaning is not to be found in human emotion.  Personal growth is not primarily a function of self-focus.  Happiness is not first a matter of emotional experience.  The starting point for relief and change in the face of personal problems is Jesus and the transformation brought about  by grace and the Holy Spirit.

We Christians deal with life through centering on Jesus, through faith in Jesus, prayer, communion with the Father, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and an orientation of mind and life toward the truths and instructions of God.  Such is the case of the Christian perspective of life.

Scripture talks hardly at all about feelings; much greater concern is placed on righteous behavior, holiness,  spiritual truth, and a personal relationship with the Lord.

As for self, Jesus’ example and teaching militates against self-focus in favor of service to others.  I suspect that it is precisely these concerns which contain the most power for promoting health, overcoming internal struggles, and growing stronger and happier in human experience.