We recently had several days of 114 degree RealFeel temperatures. In the central Illinois humidity, as well as with winter wind chills, the RealFeel temperature becomes more important than the actual temperature.

What’s RealFeel?

The RealFeel Temperature is an index that describes what the temperature really feels like. It is a unique composite of the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation and elevation on the human body–everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels.

Temperature by itself gives only part of the picture. Other measures, like the Wind Chill or Heat Index, include temperature and only one additional element like wind speed or humidity and many are designed to measure effects on an inanimate object or an unclothed person. Only The RealFeel Temperature includes everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. (Accuweather.com)

When the RealFeel is extreme, people where I live rarely answer the question, “How hot (or cold) is it?” with the actual temperature. We answer with what the temperature feels like.

I wonder what would happen if we applied the same concept to the question “How are you?”

Think about how many times you answer the question with a quick smile and a “Fine…and you?” I don’t necessarily think we need to share the nitty gritty details of our lives with every person who casually asks how we are, but we also don’t need to swing to the other end of the spectrum and neglect sharing much of anything because we don’t think we have the time or we don’t want to admit weakness or any other excuse we give.

What would a Real Feel answer look like? To adapt Accuweather’s definition…

• The Real Feel answer would describe how a person really feels.
• The Real Feel is a unique composite of the effects of relationships, situations, challenges, faith, uncertainty, finances, emotions and more. It involves everything that affects how a person feels.
• Only the Real Feel answer includes everything that affects a person.

When you ask someone how she is, do you expect to get a quick response? If you get a thorough response, are you patient to listen and respond?

Do you ever hesitate to ask someone how she is because you don’t want to take the time you know will be required or expected for the answer?

When asked how you are, how authentic is your answer?

Is there at least one person in your life with whom you’ll be completely authentic? Do you wait for that person to ask you your Real Feel, or do you openly share anytime the Real Feel begins to climb or dip into extremes?

According to merriamwebster.com, authenticity is “being actually and exactly what is claimed.” If you claim to be a follower of Christ, how authentic are you “being actually and exactly what is claimed”?

God understands all hearts, and he sees you. Proverbs 24:12

Your truthfulness – or lack of it – affects others. It affects their faith, because it affects how they see God. Whether you have a
long-term relationship or momentary encounter with someone, your character, the way you behave, your attitude…all combine to reflect the God who created you for purpose on this earth. No moment, no situation, no person is insignificant. The truth of who you are, your authenticity, affects others.

Your authenticity is your Real Feel. How do you feel…really?