Prescription for Anxiety: Take as Directed. Step 2
In the last blog, we talked about taking our thoughts into captivity and bringing them into obedience because our thoughts directly affect the way we feel emotionally and physically. We saw in God's Word the command to think on "these things". To make it a point to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. I want to encourage you to write out each of those words and even list some things that would fall into each category so you will be armed with ammunition against disobedient thoughts. Remember...this does not come naturally! Let me give you an example...I was facing some medical tests, and the enemy was putting all kinds of thoughts in my mind about what the results would be. "It's probably cancer...or something that will cost a lot of money to fix...you know you don't have insurance..." On and on the thoughts flowed until I was almost paralyzed with fear. God whispered, "Are you taking your thoughts into captivity...are you thinking on things of good report, Danielle?" I wasn't thinking on "these things"....I was thinking on things of bad report. When I went to the doctor for the results, it turned out to be nothing. But even if it was "something", all my worrying wouldn't have changed it...in fact, it most likely would have made another health problem. Most of us let thoughts invade...we treat them like a welcome guest. We feed them and entertain them and let them hang out till they take over the "household" so to speak. Let's make it a point to think about what we are thinking about.
This brings me to Step 2. Since thinking on "these things" does not come naturally, we must purposely put the right thoughts in our mind daily.
We have to renew our mind by getting in the Word. Doesn't this sound cliche'? Many of us have heard it so much, it just sounds like nothing more than Christian lingo. But Romans 12:2 tell us that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. Now, this isn't a matter of just reading a chapter and checking it off our list. This is all about meditating. In fact, it is better to read one verse and really chew on it through the day, than to read a whole chapter of the Bible, slam the Bible shut and say...Done! Psalm 1:2 tells us that happy is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord and in the law (The Word) he meditates day and night. In other words, a person who wants to be happy puts "these things" in their mind daily and then thinks about it day and night.
Realize this. Depression and anxiety is bondage and every area of bondage in our lives is a result of a lie we believe. But the Truth will set us free. We must search the Truth (The Word) and replace the lies with the Truth. This is SO important....please do not just skim over this part. This IS the key...replace the lies with the truth!
Jesus wanted us to have peace...He said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me, ye might have peace" John 16:33. The things He spoke in His Word, he did so to give us peace! Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they that love thy law (The Bible) and nothing shall offend them (cause them to stumble).
You see! There is peace and happiness to those who are willing to get in the Word, love the Word, and meditate on the Word.
So let's review...We are going to take our thoughts into captivity, and we are going to think on "these things" by renewing our mind and purposely putting the right kind of thoughts in our mind daily. We're going to replace the lies with the truth.
Watch for Step 3 in tomorrow's blog.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Prescription for Anxiety: Take As Directed Step 1
Peace! Isn't that what we all crave? There's a little peace of mind then there's a little piece of mind. There was a time in my life where I gave a little piece of my mind to everyone who crossed me...in fact, I gave away so many pieces, there isn't much left. But, what I really needed was a little PEACE of mind.
According to Webster's dictionary, peace is freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts. There are two words that strike me in that definition: the word freedom and the word thoughts. If peace is freedom in our thoughts, then it would stand to reason that anxiety is bondage in our thoughts. Have you ever stopped to think about what you're thinking about? Did you know that if you do not take your thoughts into captivity, your thoughts will take you into captivity?
According to the Bible, we are to be disciplined in our thought life. II Corinthians 10:5 says "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
I love to visualize things and when I read this verse, I think of a movie called Monsters, Inc. A silly kids movie, I know. But I always picture the scene where a monster just returned from a scare mission in a child's bedroom. He turned around and there on his back was a contaminate...do you remember what it was? A child's sock! Somehow, this was considered toxic to their environment, and everyone who saw it went into panic mode. A whole team came in and isolated the item. They covered it with some kind of dome, screwed it to the ground and detonated a bomb which blew it to smithereens!
Just like the sock in the monster's environment, contaminated thoughts can be toxic in the environment of our hearts and minds. We must take those thoughts into captivity and then give it what I call "the thought test". We find this "thought test" in Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if is praise worthy, think on "these things".
See how that verse is worded as a command? It is instructing us to be purposeful and make it a point to think on "these things". It takes practice...we are in the habit of negative thinking and we have to learn to develop healthy, godly thinking habits. And it's not good enough, when times are hard, to "check out" and pretend that things aren't bothering us or to try to ignore the issues. Anxious people think...There is no way I can pay all my bills this month...I'm too tired to do all of this... I'm too overwhelmed to tackle all that is before me...Nothing ever works out for me...This is bound to end in disaster. Happy, peaceful people think...My God shall supply all of my needs...I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength...He will establish my thoughts...I know He is working all things for my good.
You see...how we think affects the way we feel emotionally and how we feel emotionally affects the way we feel physically. You can actually convince yourself to be sick.
I remember a specific incident where I was standing in the shower crying out to God. I was overwhelmed in my heart and the tears I had cried could have filled the bathtub. I kept saying, "God, I can't do it! What you are asking of me is too hard. I just can't do it!" The Holy Spirit brought back the verse to my mind and it was like God said, "Danielle, quit saying I can't and start saying I CAN do it through Christ because He gives me strength!" I did say it and I believed it and do you know, He did give me the strength! What victory...what peace! Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." This literally means, guard your thought life, (what you think about and meditate on) because this is the command center for everything in your life.
Step 1 to obtaining peace: Take your thoughts into captivity and make it a point to think on "these things" found in Philippians 4:8.
Watch for tomorrow's blog for Step 2.
According to Webster's dictionary, peace is freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts. There are two words that strike me in that definition: the word freedom and the word thoughts. If peace is freedom in our thoughts, then it would stand to reason that anxiety is bondage in our thoughts. Have you ever stopped to think about what you're thinking about? Did you know that if you do not take your thoughts into captivity, your thoughts will take you into captivity?
According to the Bible, we are to be disciplined in our thought life. II Corinthians 10:5 says "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
I love to visualize things and when I read this verse, I think of a movie called Monsters, Inc. A silly kids movie, I know. But I always picture the scene where a monster just returned from a scare mission in a child's bedroom. He turned around and there on his back was a contaminate...do you remember what it was? A child's sock! Somehow, this was considered toxic to their environment, and everyone who saw it went into panic mode. A whole team came in and isolated the item. They covered it with some kind of dome, screwed it to the ground and detonated a bomb which blew it to smithereens!
Just like the sock in the monster's environment, contaminated thoughts can be toxic in the environment of our hearts and minds. We must take those thoughts into captivity and then give it what I call "the thought test". We find this "thought test" in Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if is praise worthy, think on "these things".
See how that verse is worded as a command? It is instructing us to be purposeful and make it a point to think on "these things". It takes practice...we are in the habit of negative thinking and we have to learn to develop healthy, godly thinking habits. And it's not good enough, when times are hard, to "check out" and pretend that things aren't bothering us or to try to ignore the issues. Anxious people think...There is no way I can pay all my bills this month...I'm too tired to do all of this... I'm too overwhelmed to tackle all that is before me...Nothing ever works out for me...This is bound to end in disaster. Happy, peaceful people think...My God shall supply all of my needs...I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength...He will establish my thoughts...I know He is working all things for my good.
You see...how we think affects the way we feel emotionally and how we feel emotionally affects the way we feel physically. You can actually convince yourself to be sick.
I remember a specific incident where I was standing in the shower crying out to God. I was overwhelmed in my heart and the tears I had cried could have filled the bathtub. I kept saying, "God, I can't do it! What you are asking of me is too hard. I just can't do it!" The Holy Spirit brought back the verse to my mind and it was like God said, "Danielle, quit saying I can't and start saying I CAN do it through Christ because He gives me strength!" I did say it and I believed it and do you know, He did give me the strength! What victory...what peace! Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." This literally means, guard your thought life, (what you think about and meditate on) because this is the command center for everything in your life.
Step 1 to obtaining peace: Take your thoughts into captivity and make it a point to think on "these things" found in Philippians 4:8.
Watch for tomorrow's blog for Step 2.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Journey Out Of The Pit
This blog was born from my own personal battle with anxiety and depression. There was a point in my life, a few years ago, that was so dark and so frightening, I really wasn't sure if I would survive or if I even wanted to. I tried many options based on advice from others such as medical professionals and even well-meaning Christians, but found little to no relief. It seemed I was caught in a pit of no hope, and was destined to live as a victim of circumstances. And as miserable as it was, I had grown weirdly comfortable with this familiar role...the self-proclaimed role of "lifetime victim". Just like the Children of Israel, I feared freedom...freedom from the bondage of a cruel and wicked ruler. I craved the familiar even though it was miserable.
Thankfully, God did not leave me there. "He brought me up also out of that horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God..." Psalm 40:2-3. On the way up out of that pit, God taught me some very specific lessons and those are the things that I want to share with you. Things that I still use today when the enemy tries to take me hostage with fear and depression...things that really work! This is going to take a series of blogs, and I have decided to start by sharing a couple of things that DO NOT work...I've tried some of them numerous times, and I can tell you, they are not the cure. So, let's get started!
Almost always where you see one, you see the other: anxiety feeds depression and vise versa. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that "Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop....". (Literally translated: Anxiety in the heart causes depression) So, what's the answer?
If we were playing the game show Jeopardy, and the answer was "Things that DO NOT work to fix anxiety and depression", the question would be:
What are the quick fix, focus on self, focus on others, and focus on sin, Alex?
These are four things that DO NOT work...let's talk about them in more detail.
The Quick Fix:
What does this mean? One thing I craved was relief. I wanted it now and with as little effort on my part as possible. I was exhausted and didn't want to get out of bed in the mornings, let alone do any work. So, I was on a quest for the quick and easy. If I could just swallow a pill and feel better, that would be the ticket! So, under the care of a doctor, I began taking several types of medication. Some for anxiety and some for depression. I was diagnosed with mood disorder and bipolar...I now had a label! I know these are real conditions, but for me, it was like being branded. Sealed into bondage in a sense. An excuse for spending 18 hours a day in the bed and not taking on any responsibilities for fear that I would have a bad day and let people down. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against medication and in fact, I believe it can be used as a tool. But if you are looking for a quick and easy cure, you will find what I found...disappointment and emptiness. Let me make this very clear. I believe depression is real, I believe it manifests itself physically, and I believe medication can be a tool. But it is not the cure...even if you are medically bipolar, you still have an emptiness that can be filled with only one "thing"...God himself. I'm sure you have seen the commercials for the depression and anxiety medications that say "9 out of 10 people who are taking medication for depression or sadness still experience symptoms". This was true for me...I was medicated and numb, but still empty. It didn't fill the hole in my soul. There came a point when I had no doubt that God was directing me to stop depending on medication and to start depending on Him alone. That being said, I must insert a disclaimer here. If you are taking medication under the care of a physician, I do not recommend that you stop taking it unless you consult the physician and do so under their care and only if you are certain that God is leading you in such a way. Do not feel shame if you are at a place where you need this tool. There is a place for medical intervention and shame only intensifies anxiety and depression.
Let me sum it all up...Sometimes, medication is needed at as a tool to help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. In those times, we should be thankful that it is available and should not feel ashamed. But we should view it as a tool and not the cure because depression and anxiety are spiritual battles and will only be won with spiritual weapons...which I will share in detail in a future blog.
Focus On Self:
Okay, here's another thing I tried...I had several counselors who told me I had to learn to love myself. You need to take care of yourself first and focus on your needs right now. No one will love you if you don't love yourself. Just tell yourself, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dog-gone-it, I like myself!" Well let me tell you, focus on self does NOT work. Self centered people are not pleasant...they are miserable! We were not created to serve self...we were created to serve God and find acceptance in Him alone. He does love us, even when we're not lovable and even when we don't love ourselves. True happiness comes from focusing on Him which I will cover in detail later...focus on self does not work!
Focus on Others:
If focus on self doesn't work, you would think the obvious answer would be focus on others. Haven't you heard people say, get busy helping someone else and you're problems won't seem very big. It will get your mind off of yourself! Well, there is some truth there and there is a time for that, BUT when you are empty, you have nothing to give others. Many times, under these circumstances, we are trying to earn favor or approval by being a good Samaritan. When you don't get that pat on the back, it can be very discouraging. The truth is, serving others is a natural result of focusing on God and being filled with His goodness and love. But getting this out of order can lead to deeper depression instead of satisfaction and joy.
Focus on Sin:
This one is a little touchy. Is anxiety and depression sin? In His Word, God issued the command to "fear not" more than any other command. He sent His Son that we may have life and have it more abundantly and He said it was impossible to please Him without faith. When we live our lives consumed with depression and anxiety, it is displeasing to God. That being said, well meaning Christians would criticize me for my lack of faith, and tell me I just needed to read my Bible and pray more. There is never reason for a Christian to be without hope, you are obviously not right with God, they would say. Well, there was an element of truth in what they were saying, but though their intentions were good, this caused me to be so focused on my failures and weaknesses, that I found myself deeper in it, than progressing out. Focusing on our sin and weakness DOES NOT fix anxiety and depression.
Chances are, you have tried one or more of these things that don't work...and found the same results that I did. Well, the good news is to follow...in the next several blogs, I'm going to share with you the things that DO work! The things that God used to bring me up out of the pit...and I guarantee that they will work for you too.
Thankfully, God did not leave me there. "He brought me up also out of that horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God..." Psalm 40:2-3. On the way up out of that pit, God taught me some very specific lessons and those are the things that I want to share with you. Things that I still use today when the enemy tries to take me hostage with fear and depression...things that really work! This is going to take a series of blogs, and I have decided to start by sharing a couple of things that DO NOT work...I've tried some of them numerous times, and I can tell you, they are not the cure. So, let's get started!
Almost always where you see one, you see the other: anxiety feeds depression and vise versa. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that "Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop....". (Literally translated: Anxiety in the heart causes depression) So, what's the answer?
If we were playing the game show Jeopardy, and the answer was "Things that DO NOT work to fix anxiety and depression", the question would be:
What are the quick fix, focus on self, focus on others, and focus on sin, Alex?
These are four things that DO NOT work...let's talk about them in more detail.
The Quick Fix:
What does this mean? One thing I craved was relief. I wanted it now and with as little effort on my part as possible. I was exhausted and didn't want to get out of bed in the mornings, let alone do any work. So, I was on a quest for the quick and easy. If I could just swallow a pill and feel better, that would be the ticket! So, under the care of a doctor, I began taking several types of medication. Some for anxiety and some for depression. I was diagnosed with mood disorder and bipolar...I now had a label! I know these are real conditions, but for me, it was like being branded. Sealed into bondage in a sense. An excuse for spending 18 hours a day in the bed and not taking on any responsibilities for fear that I would have a bad day and let people down. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against medication and in fact, I believe it can be used as a tool. But if you are looking for a quick and easy cure, you will find what I found...disappointment and emptiness. Let me make this very clear. I believe depression is real, I believe it manifests itself physically, and I believe medication can be a tool. But it is not the cure...even if you are medically bipolar, you still have an emptiness that can be filled with only one "thing"...God himself. I'm sure you have seen the commercials for the depression and anxiety medications that say "9 out of 10 people who are taking medication for depression or sadness still experience symptoms". This was true for me...I was medicated and numb, but still empty. It didn't fill the hole in my soul. There came a point when I had no doubt that God was directing me to stop depending on medication and to start depending on Him alone. That being said, I must insert a disclaimer here. If you are taking medication under the care of a physician, I do not recommend that you stop taking it unless you consult the physician and do so under their care and only if you are certain that God is leading you in such a way. Do not feel shame if you are at a place where you need this tool. There is a place for medical intervention and shame only intensifies anxiety and depression.
Let me sum it all up...Sometimes, medication is needed at as a tool to help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. In those times, we should be thankful that it is available and should not feel ashamed. But we should view it as a tool and not the cure because depression and anxiety are spiritual battles and will only be won with spiritual weapons...which I will share in detail in a future blog.
Focus On Self:
Okay, here's another thing I tried...I had several counselors who told me I had to learn to love myself. You need to take care of yourself first and focus on your needs right now. No one will love you if you don't love yourself. Just tell yourself, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dog-gone-it, I like myself!" Well let me tell you, focus on self does NOT work. Self centered people are not pleasant...they are miserable! We were not created to serve self...we were created to serve God and find acceptance in Him alone. He does love us, even when we're not lovable and even when we don't love ourselves. True happiness comes from focusing on Him which I will cover in detail later...focus on self does not work!
Focus on Others:
If focus on self doesn't work, you would think the obvious answer would be focus on others. Haven't you heard people say, get busy helping someone else and you're problems won't seem very big. It will get your mind off of yourself! Well, there is some truth there and there is a time for that, BUT when you are empty, you have nothing to give others. Many times, under these circumstances, we are trying to earn favor or approval by being a good Samaritan. When you don't get that pat on the back, it can be very discouraging. The truth is, serving others is a natural result of focusing on God and being filled with His goodness and love. But getting this out of order can lead to deeper depression instead of satisfaction and joy.
Focus on Sin:
This one is a little touchy. Is anxiety and depression sin? In His Word, God issued the command to "fear not" more than any other command. He sent His Son that we may have life and have it more abundantly and He said it was impossible to please Him without faith. When we live our lives consumed with depression and anxiety, it is displeasing to God. That being said, well meaning Christians would criticize me for my lack of faith, and tell me I just needed to read my Bible and pray more. There is never reason for a Christian to be without hope, you are obviously not right with God, they would say. Well, there was an element of truth in what they were saying, but though their intentions were good, this caused me to be so focused on my failures and weaknesses, that I found myself deeper in it, than progressing out. Focusing on our sin and weakness DOES NOT fix anxiety and depression.
Chances are, you have tried one or more of these things that don't work...and found the same results that I did. Well, the good news is to follow...in the next several blogs, I'm going to share with you the things that DO work! The things that God used to bring me up out of the pit...and I guarantee that they will work for you too.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Now, this blog entry is exposure at its extreme for me personally. I feel very vulnerable as I share the lesson I am blogging about today. In fact, my blog entries are nothing more than snippets from my personal journal. It is based on lessons that I have learned and am still in the process of learning. There are two reasons I am compelled to write about this particular lesson. First of all, I feel I must expose this, for myself as a form of accountability, and for others because God's Word tells us to admonish one another.
So here it is...I have often wondered how someone (me) could be so prideful and so self-loathing all at the same time. (Hint #1-Self-loathing is focus on self which is pride undercover.) One minute, I feel like I am worthless, and the next minute, I think I'm pretty great. Usually just after this, I make a fool out myself or fall down miserably. I do not want to be this way. I have confessed it many times, believing it was behind me, and without any warning that I could see, there it is again. Pride! In fact, pride is the very reason it is so hard for me to share my struggle in this area. Pride is an abomination to God, it goes before a fall, and it is the hidden root of many sins.
Now, let me say this. Anytime we find ourselves confessing the same sin over and over and repeating it over and over, we must realize that we are only confessing the symptom of a sin. We are not at the root of the problem yet. But God sees the thoughts and intents of the heart, and He is able to uncover the root of the matter if we ask Him to.
As I prayed and asked God to dig up and expose the root, I began to see the deeper issue. I am measuring my value by what I am doing for others and for God, instead of what God has done in me. I would never think that my salvation comes by works because I know the verse in Ephesians 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast." But, somehow, I believe that after salvation, I must DO something to have value to God and to others. We all want to be accepted. We all want to feel favored. But, there is no work we can do to earn favor with God. Our "righteousness" is like filthy rags in His sight. My value lies ONLY in the finished work of God's Son on the cross. Do you see why it is so important for us to see ourselves as Purchased Pearls. We are valuable to God because His Son gave all to purchase us! He showed us favor while we were yet sinners, not when we straightened up and did enough! Great! Right? Well, that brings me to the cold, hard truth as it lies in my heart...I am not nearly as concerned about my value to God as I am the approval of man. Ouch and I mean ouch! I hate to admit this so much I am literally flinching as I write it.
Take a look at this. Here is one way it is showing up in my life...I need to feel valuable so I get real busy, do good things and impress my peers. I get that pat on the back and I do "feel" valuable, but because that feeling of value is based on my works, I am plunged into pride. "Look what I have done. I'm pretty valuable and special!" It is a vicious cycle and it makes me sick and embarrassed to put it in writing! But it is reality. That's one reason salvation can not be based on our works. If we could do something righteous enough to get into Heaven, we would be so puffed up with pride, we would be of no use on this earth. (Eph 2:9)
I can not live a victorious Christian life if I only believe what I feel or see. The instant reward of man's approval feels good, but it does not require faith. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Jesus taught that if we do the right thing for the praise of man, we have our reward. That's it! No incorruptible treasure laid up in heaven...it is spent. I just wonder how many treasures I have squandered for the instant gratification of man's pat on the back. My prayer is that we will place our faith in God's Son and allow the favor of the Cross to be enough.
***If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, if you do not know for sure that you will go to Heaven when you die, then let me tell you how it easy it is to get that settled today! Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus (that He died to pay for your sins), and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved! If you have any questions, I would love to hear from you! You can email me at timldodd@yahoo.com, or post a comment on this entry. All Heaven rejoices when one gets saved!
So here it is...I have often wondered how someone (me) could be so prideful and so self-loathing all at the same time. (Hint #1-Self-loathing is focus on self which is pride undercover.) One minute, I feel like I am worthless, and the next minute, I think I'm pretty great. Usually just after this, I make a fool out myself or fall down miserably. I do not want to be this way. I have confessed it many times, believing it was behind me, and without any warning that I could see, there it is again. Pride! In fact, pride is the very reason it is so hard for me to share my struggle in this area. Pride is an abomination to God, it goes before a fall, and it is the hidden root of many sins.
Now, let me say this. Anytime we find ourselves confessing the same sin over and over and repeating it over and over, we must realize that we are only confessing the symptom of a sin. We are not at the root of the problem yet. But God sees the thoughts and intents of the heart, and He is able to uncover the root of the matter if we ask Him to.
As I prayed and asked God to dig up and expose the root, I began to see the deeper issue. I am measuring my value by what I am doing for others and for God, instead of what God has done in me. I would never think that my salvation comes by works because I know the verse in Ephesians 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast." But, somehow, I believe that after salvation, I must DO something to have value to God and to others. We all want to be accepted. We all want to feel favored. But, there is no work we can do to earn favor with God. Our "righteousness" is like filthy rags in His sight. My value lies ONLY in the finished work of God's Son on the cross. Do you see why it is so important for us to see ourselves as Purchased Pearls. We are valuable to God because His Son gave all to purchase us! He showed us favor while we were yet sinners, not when we straightened up and did enough! Great! Right? Well, that brings me to the cold, hard truth as it lies in my heart...I am not nearly as concerned about my value to God as I am the approval of man. Ouch and I mean ouch! I hate to admit this so much I am literally flinching as I write it.
Take a look at this. Here is one way it is showing up in my life...I need to feel valuable so I get real busy, do good things and impress my peers. I get that pat on the back and I do "feel" valuable, but because that feeling of value is based on my works, I am plunged into pride. "Look what I have done. I'm pretty valuable and special!" It is a vicious cycle and it makes me sick and embarrassed to put it in writing! But it is reality. That's one reason salvation can not be based on our works. If we could do something righteous enough to get into Heaven, we would be so puffed up with pride, we would be of no use on this earth. (Eph 2:9)
I can not live a victorious Christian life if I only believe what I feel or see. The instant reward of man's approval feels good, but it does not require faith. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Jesus taught that if we do the right thing for the praise of man, we have our reward. That's it! No incorruptible treasure laid up in heaven...it is spent. I just wonder how many treasures I have squandered for the instant gratification of man's pat on the back. My prayer is that we will place our faith in God's Son and allow the favor of the Cross to be enough.
***If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, if you do not know for sure that you will go to Heaven when you die, then let me tell you how it easy it is to get that settled today! Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus (that He died to pay for your sins), and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved! If you have any questions, I would love to hear from you! You can email me at timldodd@yahoo.com, or post a comment on this entry. All Heaven rejoices when one gets saved!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Heart Attack!
I didn't have chest pains or shortness of breath or any other symptoms that commonly go with a heart attack. Of course, this wasn't your typical heart attack.
Have you ever remembered a mistake from the past that made you just want to crawl under something and hope that the ground swallowed you up? Have you left a gathering and critically analyzed everything you said and did, wishing you would have shut up long before you did? Have you ever wondered what you had to offer or what purpose you could serve on this earth, always feeling like you just don't quite measure up?
I can answer yes to all of that! And you know what I thought? At one point, I believed I truly was worthless, and later I thought it was an attack of the enemy, the accuser of the brethren...you guessed it...satan. The truth is, it may have been satan on some occasions, but what I didn't consider, was that it could be "the other accuser"...my heart! I didn't consider that my own heart could be attacking me!
I John 3:20 says that our hearts condemn (accuse) us. Who knew? We can be our own worst enemy.
Verse 19 says that we know we are of the truth (If we are a child of God we are of Jesus, the way the TRUTH, and the life) and we should persuade our hearts of it, because when our hearts aren't accusing us, we can have confidence in God! (vs. 21) So, what do I use to persuade my heart?
EVIDENCE!
EVIDENCE!
I like word pictures, and I think of a court room scene here. The accuser (satan or my heart-which ever is attacking me at the time) is on one side and the defendant (me and my representative, Jesus) is on the other. The Judge, God, is sitting at an enormous bench at the front of the room wearing a robe with gavel in hand. The hearing begins. The accuser glares at me and begins to charge at me with accusations. Some of them are true. My face is hot as I look at the Judge, but there is no expression on His face. Just as I'm preparing to receive the anger and punishment that is sure to come, my Representative stands up and yells, "Objection! I've already paid the penalty for that offense". Then He presents the evidence: scars in the palms of His hands. The judge doesn't look at me at all! He looks right at the evidence and says, "Sustained. Case dismissed." Case after case, accusation after accusation, and it always ends this way. When the Judge looks at me, He doesn't see my offences. He sees the blood of His Son and my Representative.
WOW! That is GOOD stuff!Unfortunately, it is SO hard for us to really get this concept. It seems too good to be true and we have learned to be cynical of things that seem too good. I encourage you to really meditate on this and let it sink in because when we can truly understand how God sees us, we learn to live in victory! I get so excited and humbled and amazed every time I picture Jesus Christ presenting His blood to my Heavenly Father as the payment for my sins.
Have you ever heard someone say, "Trust your heart" or "Follow your heart"? According to God's Word, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9)
You know what that tells me? I don't need to let my heart persuade me, I must learn to persuade my heart, using the evidence found in God's Word.
According to I John 3:22, when our hearts are not condemning us , we can have confidence in God and whatever we ask of Him, we receive. We can go to Him boldly.
So...let's do a spiritual check-up. Are you experiencing this kind of heart attack? Treat it using the prescription found in I John 3. Persuade it, using the same evidence that is good enough for an Almighty Judge and learn to live in victory and confidence!
I John 3:19-22
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure (persuade) our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Judge Not!
Possibly, one of the most misused and misunderstood terms in the Christian language is the one that says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." Many times, it is used by someone who has been confronted about a wrong doing. It is followed up by something like, "Until you are sinless, don't point out what I'm doing wrong." What does the Bible say about it? Well, let me make it very clear, I'm not a Bible scholar, but I have asked God for wisdom in this area and I will share with you what He has shared with me.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to share the Truth with the non-believing, (Romans 10 tells us they can't call on Someone they haven't heard of and they'll never hear if no one tells them. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.) We also have a responsibility to encourage and edify fellow believers. (Eph. 4:15 talks about speaking the truth in love, and Galatians 6 talks about restoring someone who has been overtaken in a fault or who strays from the Truth.) No where in Scripture does it say that a person must be perfect and sinless to do these two things. It would certainly be wise to examine our own life to be sure there isn't a glaring fault that would discredit our efforts, but when God hand picked His apostles, they were far from perfect and He still uses imperfect people today. Praise the Lord for that!!!
Now where do we step over the line into judging?
As Christians, we have a responsibility to share the Truth with the non-believing, (Romans 10 tells us they can't call on Someone they haven't heard of and they'll never hear if no one tells them. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.) We also have a responsibility to encourage and edify fellow believers. (Eph. 4:15 talks about speaking the truth in love, and Galatians 6 talks about restoring someone who has been overtaken in a fault or who strays from the Truth.) No where in Scripture does it say that a person must be perfect and sinless to do these two things. It would certainly be wise to examine our own life to be sure there isn't a glaring fault that would discredit our efforts, but when God hand picked His apostles, they were far from perfect and He still uses imperfect people today. Praise the Lord for that!!!
Now where do we step over the line into judging?
Let's think about the job of a judge. A judge has a couple of responsibilities: To use the law to decide if a person is guilty and to assign punishment and see that it is carried out if that person is found to be guilty. John, chapter 8 gives an account of a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The Pharisees and Scribes believed themselves to be the most spiritual and they immediately brought the woman to Jesus. Not for healing, not for restoration, but because they wanted to be sure that she was punished for her sin. They even made a suggestion as to what punishment should be issued. What was Jesus' reaction? Verse seven says that He stood up and said, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her." According to Scripture, you do have to perfect to convict and decide punishment for someone in a spiritual sense. These jobs belong only to a holy God.
They could have went to her lovingly but they didn't. They could have pointed her to Jesus for forgiveness, which was the whole reason Jesus was on the earth. But they didn't. Their spirit was all wrong. Most likely, they forgot that they too fell short of the glory of God. If they happened to remember that they had sin, they probably compared it to hers and decided that their sin was somehow less offensive to God.
We can, however, and should, proclaim the Truth to all that God leads in our path. Why? Because the truth will set them free!! The key is what spirit you do it in. The only effective way is in love. I Cor. 13 tells us that the good things we do must be done in love, or it has no profit or effectiveness.
It isn't time for Christians to back down. We should be bold in sharing God's Word. In order to so, we must first know what His Word says. Satan and even unbelievers use Scripture, and if we don't know it, we will be tossed to and fro. Ephesians 4:14-15 says we need to quit being immature Christians, tossed to and fro and blown away by every wind of doctrine and by the trickery of men and cunning craftiness. They are trying to deceive us. Instead, we need to speak the truth in love and grow up into Him in all things. (paraphrased...please read for yourself) Boldness comes from confidence. Confidence comes from knowing the facts. If I focus on myself, I can't be bold because I hear Satan reminding me of all the reasons I am not worthy to speak God's Word. But, if I focus on what I know to be true about God, I can proclaim truth with all confidence!!
Monday, June 21, 2010
"Time to Clean House"
"God, I ask you to bless both of them and help them. Lead them to do what is right. In Jesus' name, Amen." That was the prayer prayed by a friend of mine about her husband and the woman he left her for after 25 years of marriage. Her testimony goes on to explain how, as soon as she was done praying that prayer, God let her know that it wasn't what He was looking for. "I don't know what you want from me, God! You say in your Word that we are to bless them that curse us and pray for them that despitefully use us. Well, that's what I'm doing and now you are telling me you won't accept my prayer? What do you want?" God's response was simple. "I want what's in there...I want what's in your heart."
"Okay! Here it is!", she responded and she began to pour out her heart to God. She told Him about the anger and how she wanted to die. She told Him she was afraid and alone. She told Him it wasn't suppose to be this way and she wanted to hurt the woman who tore her children's daddy away from their family. Everything was laid out on the tear stained floor of her bedroom. Her very heart was lying there, bare and exposed. And guess what. The healing began!
God took those pieces of her broken heart and began to mend and heal it. He let her know that it wasn't okay what happened to her...His dear precious child. He let her know that He saw every single tear she cried and was holding them in the palm of His hand. He let her know that He would never leave her nor forsake her.
God is not looking for prayers of fancy words. We don't need to place our pain in pretty packages before we present them to God. Certainly, we should come reverently to the throne of a Holy God, but we should also come boldly to find help in time of need! (Hebrews 4:16)
It's time to clean house. Go in the closets of your heart and empty them out at the feet of your Father. Doing anything less, is squandering the gift God gave us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of what He did for us on The Cross, we CAN come straight to God to find grace, mercy and help!! We don't need a priest or anyone else.
Oh, we are all tempted to call up someone, whose voice we can hear audibly, to share our troubles with. And sometimes that is okay...it just shouldn't be our first, and certainly not our only, reaction in the face of hardship. It may seem impractical to talk to Someone we can't see...it requires faith. It was hard for me at first. It went against what I believed prayer was about. It was SO hard for me to understand that God wanted to have that kind of relationship with ME! I could never express to God that I had angry feelings about something. But, He certainly knows it's there whether I tell Him or not. He wants me to give it to Him so He can change it and heal it! WOW! No one was more surprised than me! I was so excited about this new way to communicate with my Heavenly Father, that I dug out stuff that has been weighing me down for years. I got real honest with myself and real honest with God. The healing was refreshing, peaceful, wonderful, awesome, and amazing! I hope you'll try it for yourself.
Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." (Meditate on this)
"Okay! Here it is!", she responded and she began to pour out her heart to God. She told Him about the anger and how she wanted to die. She told Him she was afraid and alone. She told Him it wasn't suppose to be this way and she wanted to hurt the woman who tore her children's daddy away from their family. Everything was laid out on the tear stained floor of her bedroom. Her very heart was lying there, bare and exposed. And guess what. The healing began!
God took those pieces of her broken heart and began to mend and heal it. He let her know that it wasn't okay what happened to her...His dear precious child. He let her know that He saw every single tear she cried and was holding them in the palm of His hand. He let her know that He would never leave her nor forsake her.
God is not looking for prayers of fancy words. We don't need to place our pain in pretty packages before we present them to God. Certainly, we should come reverently to the throne of a Holy God, but we should also come boldly to find help in time of need! (Hebrews 4:16)
It's time to clean house. Go in the closets of your heart and empty them out at the feet of your Father. Doing anything less, is squandering the gift God gave us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of what He did for us on The Cross, we CAN come straight to God to find grace, mercy and help!! We don't need a priest or anyone else.
Oh, we are all tempted to call up someone, whose voice we can hear audibly, to share our troubles with. And sometimes that is okay...it just shouldn't be our first, and certainly not our only, reaction in the face of hardship. It may seem impractical to talk to Someone we can't see...it requires faith. It was hard for me at first. It went against what I believed prayer was about. It was SO hard for me to understand that God wanted to have that kind of relationship with ME! I could never express to God that I had angry feelings about something. But, He certainly knows it's there whether I tell Him or not. He wants me to give it to Him so He can change it and heal it! WOW! No one was more surprised than me! I was so excited about this new way to communicate with my Heavenly Father, that I dug out stuff that has been weighing me down for years. I got real honest with myself and real honest with God. The healing was refreshing, peaceful, wonderful, awesome, and amazing! I hope you'll try it for yourself.
Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." (Meditate on this)
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