The Big Reveal

 “I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Philippians 1:6 TPT)

 

At the end of makeover shows, there is always a ‘big reveal’ where the audience gets to see all the changes. If it is a home remodel, we get to see the newly decorated rooms. If it is a personal makeover, the client models her new clothes and makeup. Up until this moment, we are only shown little glimpses of the process. We can see the experts working on the project, but we don’t see the whole picture until the final moments. 

 

Similarly, when we pray for a person’s transformation, we may not notice any significant improvement for a while. However, we can be assured that God is at work. Restoration and healing may happen out of sight, and the timing might not fit our expectations. Yet, we know that the One who began the gracious work will faithfully continue the process of maturing until the ‘big reveal’ at the end. 

 

Retraining Sensitivity

 “And now, since they’ve lost all natural feelings, they have given themselves over to sensual, greedy, and reckless living. They stop at nothing to satisfy their impure appetites.” (Ephesians 4:19 VOICE)

 

I recently listened to a sermon by Dan Kent on fasting. He made several good points that I would like to share.

 

Pleasure does not equal happiness. Many of us want happiness but settle for the counterfeit high of pleasure. Our bodies know the difference. While pleasure releases a quick dopamine hit, happiness comes from elevated serotonin levels. Serotonin increase is associated with adequate sleep, exercise, connecting with loved ones, eating fruits and vegetables, spending time in nature, meditation, music, practicing gratitude, etc.

 

Hedonism is devotion to pleasure as a way of life. Hedonistic adaptation numbs our pleasure centers over time, reducing our capacity for enjoyment.

 

Addictions can come in the form of food, alcohol, drugs, social validation, gambling, shopping, etc. Addictions are habits that hold us in bondage. The Israelites left slavery in Egypt and wandered through the desert for decades. Similarly, our inner exodus from captivity to freedom can feel like a desert experience.

 

Conforming to patterns of cultural expectations can lead to enslavement. Social posturing and comparison do not lead to happiness. If the way we live is based on how others perceive us, we cannot have authentic relationships. 

 

Most of us have overloaded our senses for so long that our capacity for happiness has diminished. We have lost all natural feelings after giving ourselves over to sensual, greedy, and reckless living. Fasting is a form of voluntary withdrawal from our impure appetites for the purpose of increasing sensitivity. Our cravings might include decadent food, social approval, a constant desire for excitement, stimulation, novelty, noise, material goods, etc.  In order to retrain our senses, we may have to pull back on our excessive appetites for a time period. Then we can enjoy life without being swallowed by the world. 

Wisdom for The Future

 

“Know that [skillful and godly] wisdom is [so very good] for your life and soul; If you find wisdom, then there will be a future and a reward, And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 24:14 AMP)

 

I regularly get feedback from readers of this blog saying: “How did you know I needed these words today?” 

 

I write these blog posts several weeks in advance. I send them to a friend who edits them. On Sundays, I schedule all the posts for the week ahead. I am glad it reaches friends and strangers on the day that they need it. The timing is a coincidence...or perhaps a god-incidence.

 

Wisdom is essential for the soul. It is the lifeblood of future hope. Writing down insights is a lot like giving blood. It takes time. There is some discomfort. It can leave you drained and dizzy. Yet the benefits are worth the pain, for you never know who it may help.

 

There are days when my current emotional needs line up with the insights God provided weeks ago. I am as surprised by the timely wisdom as the rest of the readers. It is as if God nudged me to save my own blood before a traumatic surgery so as to transfuse me back with it in my time of need. 

Battling Anxiety

 “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 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 4:6-7 MSG)

 

Anxiety is my nemesis. It concentrates into a tight ball that remains stuck in the base of my chest. It gains energy by worrying, ruminating on the past, and fixating on the future. It robs me of joy and peace. I can’t ignore it. I need to displace it by paying attention to higher things. 

 

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Philippians 4:8-9 MSG)

 

I shall not worry. Instead, I shall shape my concerns into prayer. Lord, I am surrendering all the situations that are making me anxious into your capable hands. I am waiting for your peace and wholeness. Jesus, come displace the worry at the center of my life. Help me to fill my mind with things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious. Teach me to fixate on the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse; the best, not the worst. Make everything work out according to your will. 

Go About Your Business

“And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.” (Daniel 12:13 MSG)

 

My days are filled with activities. I cook, clean, run, read, write, pray, and connect with loved ones. There are days when I am too anxious and exhausted to do much of anything. Yet, I go about my business even when I don’t feel like it. 

 

I often confuse my daily busyness as a business. This is flawed thinking.

 

We are all called to partner with God in His business. This work is done in a higher, often invisible realm. God’s sphere of influence is universal. His holdings are vast. In order to equip us in our work, God gives us His Holy Spirit. The Counselor comes alongside us as we work--explaining, training, and encouraging us. Much of what is going on in the earthly realm is not ours to manage. Everything, however, is within God’s transforming power. Thus, we are instructed not to fret or worry but to peacefully go about our God’s business in complete confidence that He is in control.

 

Going Through the Battle

“This is what the Lord says to you: Don’t be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle isn’t yours. It’s God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15 GW)

 

We know that all battles belong to God. But what’s our role? Are we soldiers or generals? Are we in charge of logistics, provisions, or weaponry? What are we supposed to do? 

 

“You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm...and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17 MSG)

 

We are NOT in charge of anything. We are not meant to figure it all out by ourselves. Whatever we do--there will be some hardship, some disappointment, some lessons, some joy. This is the nature of battle. 

 

Our part is to stay in position and listen for directions. Trust in God. Don’t be afraid. Don’t waver. Stand firm. Be bold. Keep reminding yourself that God is with you. 

 

The Almighty God is dependable. He is in charge. He is trustworthy. He is always present. Even when we have exhausted all of our resources, even when we are cornered, outmanuevered, and overpowered by evil, even when we are at our wits’ end, the Lord knows what to do. He is our helper, our healer, our hope. He is the source of unconditional peace. This is the nature of God. 

Faith Filter

“You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.” (1 Samuel 17:45 MSG)

 

I like to take pictures of my dog, natural landscapes, and food that I prepare. My favorite part about taking pictures on my cell phone is the ease of editing. I zoom in, crop, and add filters that enhance the photos. My favorite filter, ‘sunshine’, brightens almost any image and smooths out the shadows. 

 

When the Israelites were battling the Philistines, the soldiers looked at the logistics. The opposition had a giant warrior named Goliath. He wore impenetrable armor. He had huge weapons. David looked at the circumstances differently. He zoomed in, cropped out the peripherals, and added a faith filter. David didn’t diminish the danger. He saw the size of the giant. He noticed the sword, the spear, and the battle-ax. None of this scared him. David knew he would not have to battle the giant on his own strength. He had God on his side. David didn’t let his plight color his faith. Instead, he looked at his circumstances through the filter of faith. 

 

We all face scary giants at some time or another. If we can apply the filter of faith, we are able to gain clarity. God’s light brightens our perspective and minimizes fear. We are not expected to handle anything on our own. For scripture says: “The battle belongs to God.” (1 Samuel 17:47 MSG)