schizofreakea

It seems like the Body of Christ is really under attack these days.  The enemy is hard at work trying everything he can to discourage us and cause us to be hopeless and helpless.

Given the urgency of his task against us, I believe that we must be on the very doorstep of something great.

Whatever you are trusting God for...KEEP THE FAITH.  Do not give up, do not back down.  Help is on the way.  You have His Word on it!  "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3 - KJV)

These days we seem to be easily distracted from our mission in life...to love God, enjoying His presence in our lives as we daily strive to serve Him better.  I'm going to take a little liberty here and paraphrase some thoughts from Thomas a Kempis.  He said, 'As long as everything is going well in our lives, we are happy with God and His decisions for us. But, just as soon as an adverse circumstance develops, we slip back into our old selves, where doubt, fear and unbelief are our masters.'   There's a bit of truth in there.  We feel safe in our level of faith when all is well.  But, I wonder...is that kind of thinking/living really kin to absolute faith?

Faith is defined as "...being sure of what we hope for and certain of what is not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 - NIV)
I can't see the sun on a cloudy day, but I am absolutely certain that it is still there!

Just remember, when there was nothing at all, anywhere...God used faith, alone, to frame the worlds. (v3)

That must be why it is so important to Him that we exercise our faith, strengthening it, stretching it.  We are also reminded that,  "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  (Hebrews 11:6 - NIV)

You see, He wants us to be like Him, having so much faith (trust) in His workings in our lives, that we cannot entertain thoughts of failure.  Do you think, for one instant, that God did not believe something was going to happen when He said, "Let there be..."?  That's the same kind of faith He wants us to have.

But, that's really hard, isn't it?  The reason may be due to the way most of us were raised.  We are taught that nobody is going to do it for us; we must pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, etc., etc.  And hard work is normally a good thing, but only when we enjoy what we are doing so much that it doesn't even seem like work at all.  And only when we are not consumed with getting more and more stuff, instead of looking around to see where we can help another fellow-traveler on this path below.

After all, we are all just trying to get home again.

So, what's the deal?  Why do we panic at the first sign of adversity?  Why do we 'freak-out'?  It seems a little unstable and wavering to be fine with God when everything is going our way, and then turn to spineless jellyfish when things get tough.  Clinically, that sort of presto-chango is pretty much schizophrenic, don't you think?  We seem to be living out our lives with dual personalities.  Faithful Servant vs Freaked-Out Worrier.

I am going to refer to this condition as: Schizofreakea!  And the good news is, there's a cure for it!

When the Hebrews were going through desperate times, historically they were instructed to, "Remember!"

The rules have not changed, not in thousands of years.  When the enemy threatens you, don't shrink back in fear, as "those who have no faith," instead, Be Bold in your stance.  Start recounting all the many times God has shown up and delivered you when you thought all was lost.  There's still hope, and as long as there is, we have an obligation to live by our faith. 

He still rewards those who seek Him diligently. (Hebrews 11:6)  It's okay to come crying, just come as you are.  Allow Him to carry that weight for you.  For, "which of you by worrying, can change anything?" (see Matthew 6:25-34 - NIV)

Get rid of schizofreakea today!  Don't waver in your faith.  Tell Him what you need; thank Him for loving you enough to take care of it, and let it go...let it go.