What’s Real vs. What’s True

I've recently come to realize that there’s a subtle but critical difference between what’s real and what’s true.

I know it sounds like a paradox—at least it did to me—but consider the following.

Feelings are real. We feel fear, anxiety, insecurity. Those emotions are not imaginary—they’re real experiences. But that doesn’t mean they’re true. For example, you may feel financially insecure. That feeling is real. But if you’ve placed your trust in the Lord as your Provider, then the truth is: you are as secure as you’ve ever been.

Here’s where the enemy tries to sneak in. Satan loves to whisper, “Because you feel it, it must be true.” But feelings aren’t the compass of your life—God’s truth is. Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That’s not based on your mood. That’s based on His unchanging character.

Deep down, many of us let feelings drive our decisions, and that leads us to dangerous ground. Fear says, “I’m not enough” or "I don't have enough." Truth says, “His grace is sufficient” and "Trust in me, not in your own understanding."

So how do we change our mindset?

Start by naming the feeling. Then test it against the truth of God’s Word.

Let Scripture shape your mindset—not social media, not the stock market, not your stress, and certainly not your fear.

Your feelings are real.

But God’s Word is true.

Let's choose to build our foundation on the truth that never changes, not the feelings that always do!

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Steve Crawley, PhD

BMA Financial

Executive Director