Addressing Our Affectionsಮಾದರಿ

As we continue into day two, it’s important to pause and define what we mean by affections. An affection is more than a passing emotion—it is a deep sense of liking, caring, and attachment. It is what your heart longs for and desires most.

Our affections are rooted deep within our souls. They are closely tied to who we are and what we believe life should look like. They shape our expectations, our reactions, and even our prayers—often without us realizing it. When our affections drift, it usually isn’t because we reject God outright. More often, it happens because our loves slowly move out of order.

Disordered loves are not about loving the wrong things; they are about loving the right things in the wrong way. When our affections are out of order, even good desires can quietly lead us away from God.

So what does this look like in real life?

Disordered loves can take many forms, and each of us must honestly examine where a love may have taken a place above Him.

For some, this shows up in the desire for relationships or marriage. There is nothing wrong with longing for connection or covenant—these are good and God-given desires. But when the pursuit of a relationship begins to consume our thoughts, shape our identity, or take priority over the presence of God, that desire has moved out of order.

For others, it shows up in the pursuit of success and financial blessing. We work relentlessly to make it happen—to prove ourselves, beat the odds, and secure a sense of stability. Yet this pursuit often comes at a cost. Time with our family. Time with friends. And most importantly, time with God. And even when success or security is reached, the danger is that we become self-reliant rather than dependent on the Lord.

Perhaps neither of these examples fully resonates. Maybe for you, approval from others has taken precedence over faithfulness to God. Or perhaps comfort has become more important than courage in your walk with Christ. Whatever your affection may be, the ability to identify it is an invitation to change the direction of your desire.

It may be a healthy desire—but one that now needs to be reordered. Today, surrender it to the Lord.

Reflection Questions:

What desires most consistently occupy your thoughts when you are not distracted or busy?

What might this reveal about your affections?

What do you tend to protect, justify, or defend the most in your life right now?

How might this indicate an affection that needs reordering?

What would it look like to surrender this desire to God without eliminating it—trusting Him to reorder it rather than remove it?