Prehab

“Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” (Philippians 4:6 MSG)

Most of my worries are of the ‘what if’ variety: What if such-and-such bad thing happens? What will I do? I rarely think of positive scenarios like: What if everything works out perfectly? I wouldn’t want my dreams to come true, because mostly I just have nightmares about car accidents, or people suffering.

Recently I had an injury that sidelined me for several weeks. During my recovery, I learned a new term: Prehab. Prehab exercises strengthen weaknesses, correct compensation patterns, and reduce the risk of future injuries. Prehab is proactive, as opposed to rehab, which is reactive.

I wonder if I could use the concept of ‘prehab’ against my anxiety. Could I proactively strengthen this weak area before it causes me to fall apart? What if I shape my worries into prayer and praise, letting God know my concerns as soon as they arise?

“Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:7 MSG)

Apply Immediately

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3 NLT)

After years of doing laundry, I have learned a thing or two about stain removal. First of all, pre-treat the stain immediately with concentrated detergent or stain removal spray or stick. Then let it sit for a while before washing in the warmest water that the fabric can handle. Since the heat from a clothes dryer can set stains, I usually line dry the item until I am certain that the stain is completely out.

After years of dealing with anxiety, I have learned a few coping mechanisms. Apply faith immediately. Do not delay while you try every other man-made solution. Trust the Lord. Wait upon Him. God will wash away your fears thoroughly. He will restore you slowly and gently.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10 NASB)

Lord My Strength

“He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.” (Isaiah 40:29 MSG)

Sailing is wind dependent, while rowing requires physical strength and skill. Thus, most boaters learn to row in smooth and rough waters before they learn the mechanics of sailing. Rowing is simpler than sailing--you have more control since you don’t have to depend as much on environmental factors. If I were a boater, I think I would be tempted to remain a competent rower and never bother with the hassle of learning to sail.

I haven’t been feeling very energetic lately. From dawn to dusk, I try to push through despite my diminishing reserves. By the evening, I am spent. When I am tired, I tend to ‘check out’--my body might still be present, but my brain just shuts down. I am like a rower who has exhausted her strength. If only I could manage to unfurl my sails of trust and learn to catch the divine wind of the Spirit of God. Then I would go forth, despite my powerlessness, empowered with fresh strength, sailing over difficulties.  

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

Grounded in Humility

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.’” (Luke 18:9-10 NIV)

Do you think of yourself as a basically decent person? A law-abiding, contributing member of society? So did the Pharisees. They were complacent about their moral choices. They looked down upon those who were different.

We all fall short and mess up, but some of us choose to ignore that truth. We pretend that our sins are minor compared to those of others. This leads us to judgmentalism and a ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude.

Jesus admonished us to be humble. Both the words humility and human come from the same root ‘hum’--which means ‘to be grounded.’ Humility is essentially an acknowledgment of our sinful human nature. It allows us to stay grounded in the reality of who we really are. Without it, we have delusions of superiority. We imagine that we are sustained and propelled by our own convictions, abilities, and efforts. We become moral snobs, disdainful of those who make mistakes. We forget that if it were not for grace, we too could be in a similar situation. Even the opportunity to make good choices is purely a gift from God.

The Persistent Widow

“Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.” (Luke 18:1 MSG)

The above verse introduces the story of a persistent widow who continued to pester a judge until she got justice. During biblical times, a widow represented someone who was powerless, because she did not have anyone to speak for her. Thus, she had very little recourse when it came to seeking justice.

Even now, there are many marginalized members of society that are helpless. Immigrants, refugees, religious minorities, the LGBT community, people with disabilities, etc. What would Jesus say to those who are victims of injustice?

Be persistent in prayer. Climb over the despair of rejection. Surrender your anxieties. Trust God.

God Will See to It

“Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means "the LORD will provide"). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." (Genesis 22:14 NLT)

Abraham took his son up on the mountain as God instructed, even though it didn’t make any sense. He was willing to offer up his child to God. Abraham trusted and obeyed, and God provided.

If faced with the same scenario, I could never do what Abraham did. My trust is limited. My obedience is inconsistent. I wait until I have no other options before I go up that mountain to offer my concerns to God. Even then, I tend to give directions to God on how He could make it all better. Instead of listening to instructions, I’m occupied with giving them. Until I learn to trust God completely, I cannot obey Him. My receptivity to what God provides is diminished because of my reliance on thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through prayer, I climb this mountain of doubts and fears, surrender any illusions of control, and wait expectantly for further instructions.

I shall climb up the mountain of the Lord and offer everything to Him. I shall trust and obey. I will wait on His Providence.

Chewing on Faith

“These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray.” (Psalm 19:14 MSG)

My brother-in-law eats a salad for lunch every day. I decided to do the same. After a few weeks, I got tired of all the chewing--so I decided to juice my vegetables. I left out the bitter greens and added more sweet fruit. This made everything much more palatable. Now I could easily drink my veggies through a straw. Unfortunately, this method provides less fiber and more sugar. And, since it isn’t as filling or satisfying as eating a salad, I usually end up eating a separate lunch.

Faith is intricate--filled with so many paradoxes and unknowns. Why does God allow suffering? Why are only certain prayers answered? Why do some people get healed while others don’t? Why can’t God reveal Himself plainly to all of us? How come some of those who claim to be followers of Christ condone racism, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, war, violence, environmental destruction, discrimination, and injustice?

Chewing on all of this is tiresome. Thus, some people prefer juiced, oversimplified versions--which many churches and religious leaders are eager to peddle to the masses. They take out that which is bitter and fibrous. They puree the rest into a homogenous form that can be sipped without effort. And, since it doesn’t fill up their whole life, there is plenty of room left for other more appetizing stuff.

Life on God's Terms

“If you grasp and cling to life on your terms, you'll lose it, but if you let that life go, you'll get life on God's terms.” (Luke 17:33 MSG)

Most of us choose to live on our own terms. We follow our whims and desires. We operate from rational, emotional, or traditional perspectives. Christ lived on God’s terms. He was focused on the Father’s will. He remained devoted, disciplined, and obedient. He operated from His Divine nature rather than from His human nature. We too have been gifted with this Divine Spirit. However, accessing this deep inner part of us takes some practice. It’s like training ourselves to sing with a chest voice instead of using a head voice or falsetto. We have to let go of the way we used to do things in order to develop the fullness of power that comes from the deep recesses of our being. When we operate from the Divine Spirit within us, we are able to leave the dead-end road of living on our own terms and embrace a new life on God’s terms.  

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19 NLT)

Pretensions

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a children’s story written by Hans Christian Anderson. It depicts an emperor who is convinced that he is dressed opulently, when, in reality, he is parading around exposing his shame. He surrounds himself with people who affirm his false beliefs as alternate facts.

“Pretension is a poor joke you play on yourself.” (Virat Kohli)

We all know pretentious people who try to impress others by appearing to be important, knowledgeable, sophisticated, talented, influential, or wealthy. It may start as an attempt to mask their own insecurities. Their puffery might work to a certain extent. Soon they start believing their own lies. In order to hold on to their delusions, they surround themselves with people who are equally unaware or indifferent to shame.

Pretension is a symptom of not knowing oneself or a refusal to accept one’s authentic self. It reveals a lack of personal awareness and an indifference to truth. Self-idolatry obstructs our view of reality. It lulls us into imagining that we are self-sufficient supreme beings. It creates a barrier between us and God. Until we tear down these altars of self-worship, we cannot know God. We have a choice: we can continue leading hollow lives where we fool ourselves, OR we can dig deeper into the Truth.

Internal Weakness

"Hard trials and temptations are bound to come, but too bad for whoever brings them on!” (Luke 17:1 MSG)

What was the last trial or temptation you faced? Did you bring it on?

My most recent trial was a back injury. I sprained my back while getting dressed. It seemed like a freak accident at the time. However, during physical therapy, I discovered I had a weak iliopsoas muscle. This minor muscle is surrounded by larger muscles that can be easily utilized to make up for any debility. I had unwittingly brought this injury on because I was unaware of the internal weakness.  For the last two weeks, I have been focusing on exercising my iliopsoas. This has not been fun. The movements are slight, but they hurt. Now that I am fairly functional, I am tempted to ignore these exercises and go back to my usual way of doing things.

Adversity can be caused by external events or internal frailty. Some of us stumble because of a lack of awareness; others just refuse to confront their weaknesses. It is easier to compensate for our deficiencies by drawing on our strengths. Although this might be convenient in the short run, it eventually brings on more trouble. In order to build character, we must address our flaws and work through them. This process can be painful. The movements can be awkward.  It is tempting to give up and go back to our default habits which make us feel good about ourselves.

Self-reliance instead of God-reliance is the root of most sin. Confront your weakness. Take it to God. Lean on Him. Ask Him to show you therapeutic ways to strengthen your shortcomings. Follow His instructions.

Three

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT)

Three is my favorite number. It’s not too small, nor too big--but just right. It feels whole and balanced. My house numbers and phone numbers have always had the number 3 in it. I have one child, which makes us a family of three. So, I buy everything in sets of three.  

I tend to cultivate friendships in groups of threes too. One reliable friend is a gift; two are a blessing. The relationship feels less pressured since you have more than one person to lean on. When we intertwine our lives with others--sharing our fears and sorrows, praying through barriers, and rejoicing at every turning point--we are not easily broken. I am grateful for those who braid their lives with mine and make it stronger.

Incidentally, there is a special reason that I’ve been thinking of my favorite number.

Thirty years ago today, a young man showed up with three red roses for our first date. Three years later, I carried a bouquet with three roses as I married him. We’ve stood back-to-back and conquered many battles since then. Yet, we could not have held our bond together if it were not for God, who braided His love into our relationship. Through His grace, we have learned to be patient, kind, selfless, noncompetitive, forgiving, truthful, and respectful. I am grateful.

Covered

“O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.” (Psalm 140:7 KJV)

I have medical coverage through my husband’s work. He is the policy holder; I am covered under his name. Whenever I need medical services, I have to pay a small copay. The bulk of the cost is paid by the insurance.  

Similarly, I am covered under the name of the Lord--not because of anything I’ve done, but because of who I am to Him. When I have to face evil, I am shielded from the full brunt of its effect. Whatever the cost I may have to pay, it is nominal compared to what Christ has already paid. I am grateful for this privilege.

Lord, you cover me with Your feathers and shelter me under your wings. Your faithful promises are my armor and protection. ( ~from Psalm 91:4)

My Deliverer

“Thou art my help and my deliverer;” (Psalm 40:17 KJV)

“Deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13 KJV)

We are used to having our online orders, pizza, or mail delivered to our doors. These days, we mainly use the word ‘deliver’ to mean the transportation and handing over of something to a recipient. Thus, the concept of a God who delivers is somewhat confusing. In both the above Bible verses, ‘deliver’ means to liberate or rescue.

Are we oppressed, enslaved, limited, shackled? Or, have we become so accustomed to living under the domination of worldliness that we no longer even care to be free? Do we want to be rescued? Do we need a God who delivers us from evil? Or would we prefer to be left to wallow in the mud pit of sensuality--disgracing ourselves like many others around us.

Unless we want to be rescued, we are not going to follow a Savior. The first step is to become aware of how messed up everything is. Next, we have to realize that we can’t fix things on our own. At this point, it is tempting to look to diversions as a means of escape, but this will only lead us further into the muck. There is only one way. We must recognize the One in our midst who is always available, reliable, and protective--the One who liberates us from bondage. He is the Lord, our Deliverer--the One we must follow.

Lessons from Recovery

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 18:12 NIV)

For the last few weeks, I have been recovering from a back sprain. My movements have been restricted, preventing me from doing a lot of the things I usually do. It only took a few days of disability before I succumbed to discouragement. The experience has been humbling.

I had not realized how much of my identity was wrapped up in being physically active and productive. I recognized all that I took for granted: the ability to move quickly and efficiently, medical care, health insurance, flexible schedule, a kind and helpful spouse, a grown son who is capable of caring for himself. Before the injury, I thought of running as a chore, but now I see it as a privilege. When people said they couldn’t run, I used to think it was simply a lack of willpower. Now, I recognize how my attitude was inflated by pride.

Most people would rather be confident than insecure. Pride often disguises itself as self-assurance, which seems like a good thing at first glance. However, it insidiously infiltrates our perspective--diminishing empathy and understanding while feeding judgmentalism. It blunts gratefulness and chokes out humility. Worst of all, pride makes us imagine that we are self-sufficient, blinding us to the fact that we are sustained only by God’s grace.

The Ways of the World

“You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15 NLT)

Artificial grass is gaining popularity with homeowners who don’t want to be bothered by all the maintenance required by a regular lawn. Marketed under names like AstroTurf and SynLawn, artificial grass does not need to be watered, mowed, weeded, or fertilized. It always looks green, and it is maintenance-free.

The modern world is inundated by fake stuff--artificial fillers in food, imitation jewelry, counterfeit goods, botox-filled faces, and surgically enhanced body parts. We fill our time with simulated diversions and sham relationships. When a product or practice becomes common, those who abstain are seen as out of touch, silly, and foolish. Success through artifice is accepted and encouraged. Those  who are cunning, scheming, and clever make a profit, while those who stick by their convictions get left behind. That is just the way the world works! Right?

Society values superficial righteousness that conforms to current majority standards. Synthetic conventionality is preferred over real virtue. Why would anyone want to mess with maintaining real character, when syn-character is so much less work and just as acceptable?

What at first may appear convenient and impressive often turns out to be toxic. Synthetic grass is now known to contain carcinogens--toxic chemicals that may lead to cancer. Similarly, sin metastasizes--causing destruction and devastation. This is why God finds sin detestable. Therefore, He has gifted us with real life, but it is not maintenance-free.

Faithful in Little Things

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10 NLT)

It all started with a single potato chip...I was doing really well with my New Year’s resolutions. I had gone weeks without indulging in junk food. Then, as we were watching TV together, my husband offered me some potato chips. I figured I would just eat just a few. No big deal. This wouldn’t really count as cheating on my diet since it was just a snack. Unfortunately, the chips were just a gateway drug. In a few days, I was eating pizza, muffins, and cookies.

It’s easy to justify being unfaithful in little things. We minimize it--telling ourselves that what we are doing is inconsequential. We waste a little time;  we indulge a tiny bad habit; we lie by omission; we exaggerate a bit when telling jokes; we avoid having awkward conversations in order to keep the peace. We let things slide. We relax our standards. We excuse our behavior as insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

It’s only a matter of time before we start to rationalize higher levels of degeneracy. Personal integrity slowly erodes as we become more and more tolerant of artificiality. Soon everything good is washed away, leaving a wasteland of depravity.

My Refuge

"God is your refuge.

The High God your very own home.

Evil can't get close to you,

Harm can't get through the door." (Psalm 91:9-10 MSG)

During the warmer months of the year, some of the homeless people in our area camp out near the river. They live in makeshift shelters made out of cardboard boxes, tarps, and old tents. Many of them suffer from addictions to alcohol and drugs; thus, they prefer to live outdoors where they can indulge their cravings without restrictions. When the weather gets unbearable, some of them will try to get into the local homeless shelter. They have to be sober before they can be admitted. The shelter has several other guidelines concerning hygiene, order, smoking, and co-mingling between men and women. Many addicts choose to leave the shelter and face the elements rather than follow these guidelines. The frigid temperatures continue for months, but those who remain in the shelter stay warm at night.

God offers us refuge and protection. Yet, many of us choose to live under self-created shelters, where we can follow our whims and indulge our addictions. Only when external conditions become unbearable do we seek safety in God. Why?  Living under God’s influence and power requires us to have higher standards. We can’t continue to live according to our own will. Even when we are abiding in God, external conditions may or may not change. The world may still be bleak and hostile, full of evil and affliction. However, those who seek refuge in God are not disturbed by what’s going on outside.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” (Psalm 91:1-2 NLT)

The Timid and The Reckless

“The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” (Proverbs 14:16 NLT)

Once upon a time, three photographers went on a flightseeing tour over the mountains of Alaska. They boarded a single engine plane manned by an experienced pilot. Before takeoff, the pilot distributed parachutes, demonstrated their use, and admonished the passengers not to remove them. Soon they were on their way--flying over the majestic landscape of Alaska. Unfortunately, the parachutes restricted their movements, so one of the guys decided to take his off.  Suddenly the plane started having engine trouble. The pilot managed to put the plane into a glide and told everyone they must jump in the next ninety seconds. The reckless guy who had taken off his parachute saw a lake down below. He decided to take a chance and jumped first. His calculations were off, and his body crashed into the side of a mountain. The other two passengers watched in shock. The pilot urged them to jump with him, but only one obeyed. They deployed their chutes and landed with only minor injuries. The last guy was too scared to jump. He decided he would rather stay on the plane in the hope that he would survive the crash. Instead, his life was crushed.

In this story, the first one lost his life, because he did not like being told what to do and recklessly did what he wanted without thinking it through. The overcautious one lost his life, because he was indecisive and missed his window of opportunity. Both relied on their own instincts--whether they were based on rejecting restrictions, reckless confidence, fear, or insecurity. The wise one followed instructions and jumped at the right time with his parachute. He listened and obeyed.  

How can we find a balance between being reckless and being overly anxious? Instead of merely depending on our emotions and instincts, we must trust God. The burdens that He asks us to carry are placed on our backs for a reason.  A wise person avoids danger by listening and following instructions. His confidence is not in his own skills or instincts but on the wisdom and ability of God.

Cross-training

“Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way.” (Psalm 142:3 HCSB)

My exercise regimen consists of running and cross-training--flexibility, balance, and resistance exercises. I am a lot more focused on my cardiac fitness than anything else. Cross-training is done half-heartedly. Why? It’s not that either type of exercise is pleasurable, but running long distances allows me to feel a sense of accomplishment. Thus, I am more eager to spend time and energy on it, because it makes me feel good about myself.

The temptation to seek gratification and affirmation is inherent in most human beings. Many of us are addicted to sensory pleasures and external validation. The lure of wanting to feel good about ourselves is a subtle craving. Sensuality, in any form, smothers spirituality. We wander through our lives--attempting to avoid pain, seeking diversions, indulging our superfluous desires--hoping that we will find peace, contentment, and purpose as byproducts.  Peace is found on a different plain than pleasure.

The cross represents death to worldly values and resurrection on to a higher plain. Spiritual discipline allows us to relinquish our earthly priorities and pursue God wholeheartedly. This form of cross-training involves spending time and energy on things that cannot be measured or admired by others. Our weak spirit is strengthened through devotion. Eventually, this empowers us to detach from this valley of pain and pleasure and ascend to a new heights of peace.

Unknown Future

“Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” (Isaiah 41:10 MSG)

My spirit of adventure is tempered by my dislike for uncertainty. When I go hiking, I usually study a trail map before I even set out. I check the distance, elevation, availability of water, restrooms, etc. If I am hiking with someone who is familiar with the route, I don’t worry too much. I rely on them to figure out the details.

The more uncertain we feel about a situation, the more certain we have to be of God. When I am unsure, it feels as if I am lost in a dense forest. I am filled with dread and panic. But then I am reminded that God is with me, always. He knows the way. He cares for me. I am safe with Him. I may not know what is ahead, but I know Who goes with me, and He is reliable.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

~Corrie Ten Boom