Is There an Answer for the Anxiety Created by Deception?

Habitual procrastination will ultimately produce a negative identity. Procrastination promotes a negative identity which cannot be hidden from yourself. It’s also embarrassing because you cannot deny the guilt and shame caused by deception and broken promises.

With many individuals anxiety is responsible for delays in getting started on a given task. Ivan Goncharov, the Russian novelist, wrote that anxiety provoked complaints which quickly evolved into weariness and indifference known as procrastination.

The solution for anxiety associated with procrastination is to pull yourself together and begin the task to be completed. Simply trust that God cares for you and will enable and strengthen you to do what’s before you if you sincerely desire to change your attitude. Permit the Holy Spirit to change your thoughts and attitudes and replace the anxiety with courage.  

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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

~Ephesians 6:10-11 Revised Standard Version

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You are invited to listen as I will be the guest on "Vital Issues in the Christian Home" next week on Thursday morning, November 14 from 10:30-11:30 Central Time on KHCB radio at 105.7 FM in the Houston area. To stream it live or for a listing of sister stations in TX, OK, LA, AR, and FL, please go to www.khcb.org.

Temptation's Objective

What basically defines temptation? Temptation is a craving or desire for what is out of bounds because it doesn’t conform with what is righteous or healthy. The objective of temptation is to stifle the voice of the Holy Spirit while destroying a clear conscience. Resisting temptation is not easy, for its lure appears to be an acceptable option.

The cutting edge of temptation is desire and craving, for the moment you consider a temptation, your imagination appraises the possibilities and costs it offers. However attractive the imagination may construe temptation to be, submitting to its appeal can result in a lifetime of regret.

Resisting is an essential first step in defeating temptation’s traps. God's word encourages you to accept resisting as your only option. “Resist Satan and he will flee from you” is a promise from God's word. Resisting under the banner and power of Jesus Christ is a sure way to fight the appeal of temptation.    

 

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In conclusion be strong – not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless strength. Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s craftiness.

~Ephesians 6:10-11 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Life's Peaks and Valleys

Emotional and spiritual peaks and valleys come and go throughout one's lifetime. Following a mountaintop spiritual experience, a loss of enthusiasm or an episode of depression may follow. Yet it’s important to realize God equips each person with courage and determination to stay anchored in Christ Jesus and to mature in faith.

It's analogous to buying a dream house only to discover elements of dissatisfaction. This discovery would be difficult to understand, when everything had appeared so perfect. Old issues are powerful and periodically resurface, demanding our attention. Courage and determination are required to face these issues so peace and closeness can resume.

Samson’s mountaintop experience came when he finally realized it was the Lord God who gave him victory over his enemies. God desires to  build in us character strengths to prevent regression to a former spiritual or emotional lifestyle. God provides armament and courage to fight the good fight of faith as you stand firm in his calling.  

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God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.

~Ephesians 6:10-11 The Message

 

Remain alert. Keep standing firm in our faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. Everything you do should be done lovingly.

~1 Corinthians 16:13-14 International Standard Version

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Jealousy's Grip

Jealousy serves many purposes, and most are basically negative. It's possible that every person will stoop to jealousy. The reason is that no one's self-esteem is perfect, so self-esteem parallels the degree of jealousy felt and acted upon. Cain killed his brother Abel because Abel’s offering was acceptable to God, while his was rejected.

  

If Cain's self-esteem had been healthier, perhaps he could have asked his brother to help him understand what he needed to do to make himself acceptable to God. Jealousy is dangerous because it can set you on a course of behavior that is irreversible. When objectivity is lost, a person is at the mercy of raw instincts and emotions.

In a fit of jealousy Rachel lost her objectivity and blamed Jacob because she was unable to become pregnant, which hurt and angered Jacob. Think clearly about jealousy’s demands and release those demands to the Lord God. Do it until you are released from jealousy. You will feel at peace with God, yourself and others.