The 'Inner' Doctor

Medical doctors are aware of patients who refuse to participate in recovering from a serious illness. Entrusting yourself into the care of doctors by following their supervision requires faith and trust. Louis Birch wrote, “Illnesses change us by making us consider our past and future. Illnesses give us a chance for health and life itself.”

Ralph Beicher, a Swiss physician, discovered that treatment is a cooperative effort of the doctor, patient, and the ‘inner’ doctor. The ‘inner’ doctor sets off an alarm when something is wrong and seeks ways to get treatment. The determination to recover releases the mind, body, and spirit to work against a disease.

This happened to a woman Jesus healed from an incurable bleeding condition. Imagine her attitude toward life and the opportunities that were available to her once she was restored to health. Jesus told her, “Your faith made it possible for you to be healed.” God gave her a second chance for life and happiness.                 

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I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources, [the Father] will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

~Ephesians 3:16-17 New Living Translation

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Faith Gives Assurance and Hope

 Life periodically becomes a struggle after merging with another person to create a marriage, family, or friendship. Conflict is inescapable as differences in personalities clash for dominance and authority. Yet most believers have faith that their relationship can endure any hardship caused by these differences.

Faith is the backbone of trust, for it provides hope for whatever the future presents. Before going to Washington, President-elect Abraham Lincoln told friends in Springfield, Illinois, “I am trusting in God who goes with me and who remains with you, so let us then confidently hope that all will yet remain well." Faith and trust gave Lincoln the assurance to fulfill his destiny to change America forever.

God's word in Ephesians reminds us that faith is a gift from God created in Christ Jesus for good works and he will reward those who earnestly seek him. Your faith is strengthened as you make good use of these rewards.                         

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Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish!  

~Ephesians 2:7-8 The Message

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Struggling with Self-deception

Self-deception is a major cause of unhappiness and lack of success in reaching obtainable objectives. One reason we cling to self-deception is the belief that transitions should be smooth and without challenge or suffering. Self-deception's message is there should be no difficulties involved when attempting a new beginning.

When the Israelites had an early chance to take possession of the Promised Land, they failed because of being overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. They refused to trust God’s promise to subdue and drive out those who inhabited the land. They chose self-deception because it complied with what they wanted to believe.

Self-deception is grounded in feelings of powerlessness when facing  obstacles. Self-deception is overcome by faith in God’s promise to help when uncertainties abound. Galatians 6:7 warns, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever you sow, this is what you will reap.” Trust and faith are based on God's promise to ensure you achieve your objectives. 

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Do not be deceived anymore; God is not to be scoffed at. A person will reap just what he sows, whatever it is. The person who sows to gratify his lower nature will reap destruction from that lower nature, and the person who sows to gratify his higher nature will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

~Galatians 6:7-8 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

~1 John 1:8-9 Good News Bible

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Dependency on God: A Bridge to Happiness

If you could write out a formula for happiness, what would you include as the essential components to ensure success? Most people have an innate range in their emotional make-up for feeling pleasant, optimistic and secure. Happiness has everything to do with believing life is rewarding and that positive good exists.

Happiness is not the absence of adversity. Helen Keller became blind and deaf at nineteen months of age. As an adult she wrote these wise words in her journal. "Many persons have a wrong idea about true happiness. It is not obtained through self-gratification, but through faithfulness to a worthy purpose." Helen knew what it meant to contend with adversity.

Researchers discovered that lottery winners return to their old happiness baseline within one year. Jesus gave us these words about happiness, "Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Those who are poor in spirit are not haughty or pompous because they realize they are spiritually poor and that all they have is dependent upon God's grace and mercy.  

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How happy are those who know their need for God, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!

~Matthew 5:3 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

And yet the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the Lord.

~Isaiah 30:18 Good News Bible

A Precious Jewel ~ Hope

Jacob had good reason to have hope. He had an encounter with God while he slept on a dark lonely road. In his dream God promised to bring him home safely. Twenty years later he was making his way home with four wives, eleven children and servants. Hope provided motivation to press onward in the face of many obstacles. Hope strengthens determination even when plagued by uncertainty about the future.

Jacob had to face to face his past sins. The only way he could proceed was to trust in the hope God gave him two decades earlier.  Perhaps his faith mirrored Psalm 25:3. "No one whose hope is in you, O Lord, will ever be put to shame.”

Hope is a precious jewel because it gives an essence to life that comes from the heart of God. Psalm 62:5 affirms, "Find rest, 0 my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and salvation.  He is my fortress. I will not be shaken.” Thank God for hope. 

A Green-Eyed Monster Called Jealousy

Jealousy is a common emotion experienced by everyone at some level. It's an emotion few people would endorse or boast about. Those who experience it often feel shame especially when it gets out of hand.  If a relationship is believed to be in danger, exaggerated jealousy may surface with rage and a fiery vengeance.

          Rachel felt jealous when her sister Leah could have children for Jacob while she remained barren.  Fostered by a lack of trust that she would ever conceive, Rachel persuaded Jacob to have children with her maid- servant.  Sound familiar?  Now jealousy has become the equalizer in a situation rather than trust in God’s plan and purpose. 

          As jealousy gains a foothold, it leaves little room for faith and trust. Jealousy is obsessed with thinking and feeling just one way.  To escape, force yourself to focus on Romans 12:2.  God’s word instructs you to be transformed by renewing your mind by the power of Christ Jesus in you.  Ask Jesus to transform you now.

Waiting to Compete

Humans were designed to compete and struggle to make their mark on the world. When we can't be a viable competitor, we choose heroes from all areas of life to compete for us. Sports figures become heroes, so we compete through them. Siblings often compete for recognition, acceptance and dominance.

The simultaneous marriages of Jacob to sisters Rachel and Leah created a situation that was a perfect setup for rivalry. Jacob loved Rachel, but Leah could have children while Rachel remained barren. It wasn't enough that Jacob loved Rachel. She felt unfulfilled as a woman compared to Leah, who gave Jacob four sons.

My aunt was unable to have children and half-jokingly asked my mother to give her my sister. My aunt was intelligent, attractive, had a loving husband and a career, but that was not enough. It takes faith and patience to wait, to endure, to persist. God’s desire is to give these attributes to you as you open your heart to receive him.

Remember! God Favors You - Part 2

The pastor of a metropolitan church states unequivocally that God favors those who put their trust and faith in Christ Jesus. Do you realize how significant it is to be favored by God? We tend to forget and consequentially fail to appreciate the benefits of such a privilege. God's word assures us we can't begin to imagine what God has in store for those who love him.

Someone revealed how frustrated she felt because God seemed so distant. She felt frightened, lonely, and powerless because of the loss of God’s presence she’d known since childhood. Another person asked, "Why doesn't God cut me some slack and give me a break? I'm struggling and desperately need help that only God can provide!"

Search your heart, confess your sins, and repent by turning from every wrongdoing. God will forgive you and remember your sins no more. Do not forget, God favors you and will send resources to aid you when it is in your best interest for him do so. Seek God with all your heart and he will be found. While God may not be early, he will never be late.  

Defeat Fear of Failure: Choose Faith - Part 2

While I was serving in the military after graduation from high school, it was customary to hear disgruntled voices complaining about duty assignments. I also was dissatisfied with my assignment. When I was stationed in Florida, I became friends with a young man who appeared too bright and intelligent for his assigned duty.

I often hear clients grieving over wasted years spent in a career for which they were unsuited. A woman related how she gave up opportunities to excel when she was in her twenties because she feared failure. What perpetuates this attitude? Could it be failure to trust the capabilities that God himself has given to you for achieving his good purpose?

It’s scary to think of being stretched to the limit of your capabilities. Failure to live up to your capabilities could be driven by fear of future failures. However, fear can be overcome by trust and faith in God's purpose for you. God's perfect love conquers fear, so depend on your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to control fear’s power.  

Facing the Giants of Life - Part 2

In life’s journey, cruel, bad things happen to good people because evil exists in the hearts and minds of those whose mission is to harm others. Justifiable punishment is right for those who perpetrate evil on the undeserving. Blaming others for our lack of achievement and failing to be accountable is often a defense for lack of courage and faith.

The majority of the men whom Moses sent to survey the land God promised believed Israel was incapable of taking it from the giants who possessed it. Listen to their exaggerated analysis. "The people living there are powerful giants and their cities are fortified and well defended." They believed God was incapable helping them, so they exaggerated the obstructions.

They blamed God for placing impossible barriers in their way and believed death awaited them if they engaged the giants who possess the land. They failed to trust in God's provision and protection. Whatever you’re facing, believe "you can do all things through Christ who will empower you to do what appears impossible." 

Resilience: Standing Firm in Faith - Part 2

Steadfastness is a character quality that sustains the believer through hard, difficult days. Distractions remind us we are not completely sufficient in and of ourselves. Steadfastness anchored in trust to Christ Jesus prevents evil forces from pulling us away from our commitment.

James 5:11 reminds us of Job's steadfastness. He refused to surrender his faith even as Satan took away all he possessed except his life and his wife. Faithfulness is compared to a house built on solid rock that incapable of being  dislodged from its foundation by a storm. Where steadfastness is weak, it's like a house built on sand and swept away by the storm.

Steadfastness becomes rock-solid as God redeems our heart and soul. He purges away all sin and guilt and then renews our mind as we ingest his word. Jesus desires to create in you a new person that's incapable of falling away regardless of the wickedness you face. This is good news Jesus offers to you.

Rising Up, Finding Hope - Part 1

Trust is an intellectual and emotional process that helps us to make sound judgments. Trust makes life normal and predictable by securing the safety and reliability of our relationships. Trust fights against anxiety and fear by activating faith in Christ Jesus. St. Paul challenged the fear of death by trusting that his faith in Christ Jesus would deliver him safely into the presence of God himself.

When the young man in Jesus' parable of the lost son faced an uncertain future and even death, he activated a fragile trust that had been overshadowed by a facade of self-confidence and false assumptions. Trust enabled him to deal effectively with a troubling, harsh reality.

Trust permits us to reframe a bad situation in order that a desirable outcome can be achieved. The prodigal son trusted his father to welcome him home where he could mature into the person God intended. Trust is the assured reliance on another's integrity. Trust is what God desires from us.

Crisis and Reality - Part 3

Reality is an interesting word, given that individuals often perceive a situation or experience differently. The ability to manage reality in healthy ways  depends on the experiences, emotional stability, and character of each person. When loved ones go into the world to discover their reality, these choices can be painful and scary.

The father Jesus referred to in Luke 15 realized his son would embark on a  journey that was subject to failure, danger, or even death. Reality for the young man included a great adventure, success, and fun. The father's reality was the  potential loss of his son in addition to a substantial loss of wealth.

The father's wisdom allowed him to release rather than restrain his son. The father's faith in his son's ability to deal constructively with pig pen reality had to be a contributing factor in letting him go. Is this comparable to the faith and trust Christ Jesus has in us to make constructive choices when we face the reality of a crisis? It's something to consider.

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 2

A nation's moral and spiritual values seem to ebb and flow with the character of its leaders. Great Britain evolved into a great nation during the nineteenth century because of innate inventiveness, which was the moving force behind its manufacturing industry. Naval supremacy gave Britain a political edge in the affairs of the world during that century.

However these points of power did not define Britain's total character. Personal values derived from a strong Christian faith defined their integrity, as hard work was a benchmark for success. These character strengths gave rise to a concern for the welfare of mankind. During World War II, their faith and trust in God got them through the dark days of war.

Personal crisis eventually will visit everyone. Surviving a crisis demands change in the arrangement of priorities. Coming back to God by giving Christ Jesus first place in your life is required for making healthy choices. Surviving the consequences of a crisis takes endurance and a resilience that faith in God provides. Faith is God's gift to you.  

Finding Purpose in Life's Ups and Downs - Part 1

God's people often fail to live by the values they know please the Lord Jesus Christ. Integrity is built on inner moral strengths that are enlightened and empowered by God's presence. When integrity fails, it must be cleansed and set right by repentance and forgiveness. Integrity depends on a moral character that's anchored to Christ Jesus by faith and trust.

Integrity helps us face aging. A woman in her late twenties expressed  concern that the wrinkles that were forming around her eyes had been caused by the unrelenting stress of her career choice and home life. We need to take inventory regularly to see if we have concerns about aging that equal this young woman's worries.

If our integrity remains uncompromised, meaningful work helps sustain integrity while providing freedom to have a purposeful life. Philippians 2:13 reminds us  that "God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him." When our lives are centered on Christ Jesus, we make choices that strengthen our integrity. 

Integrity: Character Strength for a Lifetime - Part 2

Experiencing a crisis of integrity at any stage of adult development is possible. Integrity is one of those words that has far-reaching implications, for it's deeply enmeshed into our character and personality. Integrity reaches into the core of our soul and, in some respects, serves as a guiding light for all of life's opportunities and problems.

When integrity is diminished, our character suffers grave consequences. How would you define integrity? A friend in her late fifties responded with: "A person of integrity has backbone." Another friend said: "A man of integrity is a square shooter." Courage and conviction to do what is right, along with honesty, define integrity for these two people.

God intends for us to evaluate the strength of our integrity because it's vulnerable to change. Our choices sustain, elevate, or diminish integrity, so it's crucial  to remember that God supplies us with his grace, mercy, and forgiveness when sin damages our integrity. God promises to restore and strengthen our integrity as we, in faith, ask him to do so.  

Spiritual Integrity: Hope for the Family - Part 2

If you were to take stock right now, what would you say is your most important life concern? The majority of people say family takes first place, but  prayer is needed to alleviate the anxiety that comes with facing an uncertain future. Hope for the future tends to diminish where pessimism and negativity are allowed to gain a foothold, for these indicate an attitude of hopelessness.

Integrity anchored in faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ provides hope for the future. Integrity under-girds a belief that God faithfully supplies a good  purpose for our existence at every stage of development. Growth, change, and discovery become a never-ending process for those who maintain hope and are willing to participate in what God has to offer.

St. Paul put it this way, "For this reason we do not give up. Even though on the outside it looks as if things are falling apart, our spiritual self is being renewed day after day." Our integrity gets a boost when we put into action what we believe and know to be true of God's faithfulness, mercy, and compassion.