When Feelings Lie: Helping Kids Anchor Their Lives in Truth

It’s no surprise that kids today are growing up in a world that confuses feelings with truth. From the cartoons they watch to the social media they scroll, the message is loud and clear: “If it feels right, it must be right.” While that sounds empowering, it’s actually dangerous.

Imagine a child navigating life like a boat without an anchor—drifting wherever the emotional winds blow. One day they’re confident, the next they’re filled with doubt. One moment they believe in doing what’s right, and the next they justify poor decisions because it felt okay at the time.

As Christian parents, our task is clear: we must help our children build their lives on something stronger than emotion. We must train their hearts to recognize truth—not just what is true, but why it’s true—and to follow it even when it’s hard.

Why Feelings Can’t Be the Guide

Feelings are real. God created them. They help us experience joy, caution us in danger, and move us with compassion. But feelings were never meant to drive the car. They’re indicators, not navigators.

When a child says, “I don’t feel like going to church,” or “I feel like I’m a failure,” or “It doesn’t feel wrong,” they are often filtering life through emotion instead of truth. The world applauds that—“Follow your heart!” they say. But Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” That’s not a call to suppress feelings, but to guide them with truth.

Children need to know that while feelings are important, they are not always accurate. That’s why God gave us His Word—to give clarity when our hearts are clouded by fear, frustration, or false narratives.

Teaching the Truth: Psalm 119:160

A key verse I recommend for every parent to teach their children is Psalm 119:160 (NIV):
“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

This verse gives two powerful foundations:

1. All God’s words are true – not just the comforting ones or the popular ones.
2. His laws are eternal – they don’t change with cultural trends or emotional swings.

God’s truth is like a lighthouse. When the sea is stormy and everything feels uncertain, His Word remains steady. Kids need that anchor. And it starts with us helping them internalize it—not just through head knowledge, but heart transformation.

What It Looks Like at Home

So how do we help children understand that truth isn’t defined by how they feel?

1. Name the Lie.
Start by gently helping them identify cultural messages. For example, when they hear a song that says, “You just have to trust your feelings,” use that as a conversation starter. Ask: “Do you think feelings are always right?” Get them thinking. Then help them compare that with what God says.

2. Give a Better Anchor.
Introduce verses that speak to identity, truth, and God’s nature. Teach them how to use Scripture as a filter for their thoughts. When they feel discouraged or afraid, help them look for a verse that speaks to their situation.

3. Talk About It Often.
Truth-based conversations don’t have to be sermons. They can happen in the car, during dinner, or right after a tough moment. Ask, “What do you think God thinks about that?” or “What does the Bible say about how we treat others when we’re angry?” Help them learn to connect real-life with timeless truth.

4. Model It Yourself.
When you feel overwhelmed, say it out loud: “I’m feeling anxious today, but I’m reminding myself of what’s true—that God is with me.” Your example teaches them how to process their own emotions through faith.

5. Pray with Them.
When emotions are high—fear, sadness, even joy—pray Scripture together. Let them see that prayer is a place where feelings are welcomed and realigned with truth.

The Result: A Steady Heart in an Unsteady World

When children begin to understand that truth is not based on how they feel but on what God says, it changes everything. They become more resilient, more secure, and more discerning. They learn to question their assumptions and check their emotions against the unchanging Word of God.

They also become more confident spiritually. Instead of a faith that rises and falls with their mood, they build a steady walk with God rooted in His promises.

This doesn’t happen overnight. But each conversation, each verse, each redirected moment lays another brick in their foundation.

Want More?

This is just one of the seven cultural lies we explore in-depth in our webinar, Helping Your Child Develop a Spiritual Foundation. In that session, we unpack the deceptive messages kids face every day—and give you tools to combat them with truth, Scripture, and real-life strategies that work.

You’ll also learn:

• How to teach basic theology like Creation, Redemption, and the Church
• Why Bible reading and prayer can become joyful, not just dutiful
• How to help your child apply their faith in everyday moments

If you’re a parent who wants to raise spiritually grounded kids in an unsteady world, this training is for you.

Learn more and watch the full session here:
https://biblicalparenting.org/how-a-heart-based-approach-works
Don’t let the world disciple your child. Let’s build a spiritual foundation that lasts. Start today—one conversation, one verse, one heart at a time.