Ask M.E. #10 Is it inspiration?

Dear M.E.,
How do you know and trust something was inspiration from God if the feeling was fleeting and anxiety is taking over?
--Sara

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Dear Sara,

This is a great question. First, ask yourself, was the initial thought/inspiration good? Often times we can feel anxiety or worry after we receive inspiration for a few reasons. Sometimes the inspiration requests us to go out of our comfort zones--to call someone we don't know, to take a job we aren't sure we are capable of doing. This kind of anxiety stems from us and shouldn't negate the inspiration we've received.

We can pray about things and receive other types of answers. God speaks to us in a way that we understand. For me, when I bring something to Him and it's not His will, I won't feel anxious, but I will feel a sense of "no." Often times when He's asked me to do something big, well, that's when the anxiety comes in. "Publish a vulnerable book about me?" "Yes, I do." The anxiety and nausea sets in because It. Is. Scary. But then I look at what He's asking me to do, and I see it's right and good so I do it. Anxiety and all. And I find joy in it.

If you have a thought or impression and anxiety sets in, it is totally appropriate to take it back to Him in prayer for confirmation. It is also good practice to look at your personal feelings. Is what the impression implying something that takes you out of your comfort zone? Are there other reasons you might have personal feelings caused by the thought/impression?

God doesn't expect us to blindly follow, but to think for ourselves and choose to follow what we feel He'd want us to do.

I always fall back on the fact that all good things come from God, so whether it's a good thought or impression I try to follow it. I believe if I do that, then if I've misinterpreted the thought or impression and follow out in my imperfect faith, He will bless me and turn me around if I need to.

Sincerely,
​M.E.