~Yoda~
I've made some pretty bad decisions in the heat of the moment. The fact is, I'm sure that I'm not alone in that department. All too often when we hastily make decisions meant to be made in due time, we come out on the losing end. There is a good reason that a wise man once told me that each and every decision I make is worth taking the time to consider. I used to be a sucker for getting caught in panic situations. Well, the trouble is, when you're in panic mode, all logic goes out the window. You cease to think rationally and begin thinking impulsively. THAT, is the easiest way to making mistakes. So, what does all of this sage advice have to do with being a Christian? Not much, really. Unless you're into running around most of the time in a panic wondering why it is that God has abandoned you. See, at the heart of every panic situation is a irrational thought. The truth about God is, He will never abandon His children. In fact, one of the most liberating truths we can ever know is that it is Christ Jesus who lives in us today {Galations 2:20}. The idea that we are somehow separated from Him is a lie perpetrated by our enemy the accuser. It is satan who claimed to Eve that were she to eat of the fruit God had commanded her not to that she would indeed...be like God {Genesis 3:5}. Well, the truth is, she was already like God! Indeed, when God breathed into His creation the breath of life, He became a vital part of each and every one of us. Yes, that is His Spirit that lives in you. All too often we associate the longstanding institutional theology teaching as the truth of our heavenly Father. Nothing could be further from the truth. We're told from a early age that the way to God...is up. Jesus ascended to heaven after He rose from his death {Acts 1:9-11}. Looking up to the sky, we almost assume that we are gazing at Gods own front door. Where did we get such an idea? Indeed, scripture gives us a few of these references to the upward direction of God, but the rest lays in generations of church theology. Are we to assume that God is somehow set apart from all which He created? If you believe that then you more than likely do not know God all too well.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4: 18 - 19 NKJV
What is panic but a fear of failure. We panic because we are afraid of losing control of a situation and failing. That is it in a nutshell. Fear is at the base of every panic situation we will ever encounter. Alexander Pope was indeed wise to claim that fools rush in. Trust me, if you're a fool when you enter a situation, without knowledge you'll be more of a fool when you are done. Do you really know the truth about God? Do you really know about how He cast away sin that we would not face its penalties? Why do so many people continue to fear the sins they carry? Did not Jesus become sin that we would be free?{2 Corinthians 5:21}. Sin, as we once knew it, no longer exists {Romans 6:6-11}. When we come to God, we do not come to Him as a condemned sinner in need of His mercy. That card has already been played. All that remains is for Gods children to return to He who has redeemed us. We need not fear the vengeful God perpetrated by the institutional church. God is not interested in settling old scores or holding grudges against us for our generations of bad behavior. Christ Jesus bore that burden for us. Do you fear God because of what you've done? Well, rest assured that God is no longer interested in yesterdays. What's done is done, all that remains is for us to see God as He truly is...Love. I no longer fear the man I once was, because I know that God does not see me in that way. I don't panic and wonder if God has indeed abandoned me, for I know that it is He who lives in me. Fools might rush in, but I don't.
~Scott~
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