That funny feeling you can’t ignore: Is it God or your gut?

You ever get those moments when someone is on your mind and heart heavy?

You feel them close and you feel prodded to respond to the feeling: to call, text or visit?

Could this be how we are wired? Or could this be from who wired us that way?

Let’s see what science has to say, because God and science are both important. And hey, maybe science explains how we are wired? Let’s check out the research.

ChatGPT says there’s research behind it all:

“Human beings often experience sudden, intense thoughts or “emotional pulls” toward someone because the brain constantly scans for emotionally relevant memories through implicit memory activation (Schacter, 1996), while mirror neurons create a sense of emotional closeness even in someone’s absence (Rizzolatti & Craighero, 2004). Strong emotional bonds form rapid neurological pathways that activate automatically (Bowlby, 1988), and individuals with high interoceptive sensitivity can detect subtle emotional cues before conscious awareness (Craig, 2009). Research on emotional contagion also shows that connected individuals can experience synchronized emotional responses even when apart (Hatfield, Cacioppo, & Rapson, 1994). Additionally, the ‘gut feeling’ to reach out is rooted in communication between the brain and the enteric nervous system, which processes emotional information rapidly (Gershon, 1998). Together, these findings explain why someone may suddenly feel a heavy awareness of another person or feel compelled to call, text, or check on them—an interplay of memory, attachment, intuition, and neurobiology.”

Well that sums it all up. But I can sum it up better: we are electrically wired and intrinsically connected to each other as human beings and as children of God. Remember that verse that says God is love? Doesn’t love make you do crazy things like reach out, call or visit at just the right time?

I always say the proof of God is in the pudding called perfect timing.

Have you ever got the right word from someone? The right text or call or care package?

And you knew no one knew how much you needed that but you?

Some may call it science or intuition or coincidence.

I call it divine timing.

I “get these feelings” to do something or say something. And I know I’ve just got to do it. Does it involve sacrifice sometimes? Does it involve changing plans? Sure.

But the best part is the blessing I get when I listen to that “intuition.”

And often the blessing I get when I watch the “why” unfold.

So, I encourage you to listen to your “gut feeling” even if you’re bloated. Listen to that “intuition” even if your plans are rock solid.

Because there’s a why.

And the One behind it is trying to share that blessing with you and others.

Daily Bread

Philippians 1:3 (NLT)

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Romans 8:14 (NLT)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)

“Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.”

John 10:27 (NLT)

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”