We often use our opinions to hide our emotions

​Today Goff builds on this idea that "in a world where ideas, doctrine, busyness, and success get so much recognition, we forgo an 'inner life,' and in doing so, we neglect emotions. God wants a relationship with us. And relationships involve an emotional connection."

Goff uses the story of David to point out how David used the Psalms to express his deep love for God. David was never afraid to let God know what he was feeling toward God in the deepest parts of him.

I think what establishes a strong relationship with God is what makes for strong relationships here. I think God wants us to see that. And, I think the reason we often lack a strong connection with God is the same reason we're more disconnected from one another than we've ever been.

We're more interested in people knowing what we think and believe about things than we are about letting people know how we feel about them.

The last couple of days, I got to spend some time with someone I consider a best friend. I always feel a sense of peace being around him. I think it's because I never have to worry about impressing him with what I know. We don't waste a lot of time exchanging opinions. When I'm around him I can always unload my heart.

I can bare my soul.

Social media doesn't bring me the angst it does some people. Mainly because I've filtered out a lot of opinion givers in my life. When I scroll down my page I migrate to people who are sharing their hearts. I'm drawn to people who tell me how they are feeling. I'm a sucker for emotions.

It's probably because I recognize in myself I have a lot of emotions. I recognize they are the realest part of me - they define me better than anything else. And to be honest, the best strategy I have for hiding them, the best defense I have against people not knowing me when I'm not really up for them knowing me, the best protection I have against that is opinions and doctrine and some surface level set of beliefs that become the wall that hides them.

I think we'd all be more connected if we had less opinions. I think the key to us loving one another better is tearing down some walls. I think the path to less hurting is giving people the space to tell us more of what they feel and less of what they believe.