Trust Your Gut—And Teach Others to Do the Same

There’s something powerful about instinct—an inner knowing that whispers when something doesn’t feel right. It might come as a knot in your stomach, a quickened heartbeat, or a sense of unease that you just can’t shake. That’s your gut. And more often than not, it’s right.

We live in a world that often tells us to ignore those feelings. To be polite. To give people the benefit of the doubt. To not rock the boat. But ignoring your gut can come at a devastating cost—not just to you, but to your children and those who look to you for guidance.

If someone or something makes you feel unsettled, uneasy, or unsafe, that matters. You don’t need a list of offenses or solid proof before you listen to that nudge inside. Sometimes your discernment picks up on things that your mind hasn’t fully processed yet. And brushing it off in the name of niceness sends a dangerous message—not only to yourself, but to your children: Don’t trust your instincts.

If your child tells you they don’t feel comfortable around someone, believe them. Don’t force them to hug, to smile, to be alone with someone they feel uneasy around. That moment you brush off their fear or discomfort and say, “Don’t be rude,” or “He’s just trying to be friendly,” you’re teaching them that their gut can’t be trusted—that keeping others comfortable is more important than honouring their own feelings.

And if you’re uneasy about someone yourself, but still allow them into your life or the lives of your children, what message are you sending? That your boundaries are negotiable? That your discomfort is irrelevant?

You don’t owe anyone access to you—or your children—just because you’re afraid of being judged or misunderstood. Your gut doesn’t lie. And more importantly, it’s a God-given protection mechanism, not something to be silenced.

Mixed messages are confusing and harmful. When we preach safety but ignore red flags, when we tell our kids to speak up but silence their concerns, when we say “trust your instincts” but then dismiss our own—we aren’t walking in truth. And truth matters.

So if something feels off, trust it.

If someone’s words and actions don’t align, pay attention.

If your gut tells you “something isn’t right,” you don’t need permission to act on that.

Your job isn’t to make everyone feel comfortable. Your job is to protect your peace, your boundaries, and the people in your care.

Let’s raise a generation that doesn’t second-guess themselves. That knows they’re allowed to say no. That doesn’t apologize for walking away from what doesn’t feel right.

It starts with us.

Trust your gut. And live in a way that teaches others to do the same.