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It's been said that in an average day, the human brain processes over 70,000 thoughts, about 1.2 per second (there are 86,400 seconds in a day). Wow. That means that, even if you ponder a particular decision or course of action, you are still maintaining other thoughts while coming to any resolve. So, whatever is or isn't on your mind has a say so in that decision! As I continue to digress, let's just say that I may as well have about 80,000 plus thoughts a day.
Keeping all of that in mind, is one's joy and peace predicated upon the decisions that they make? Or do they depend on given circumstances? Really, reply your answer before you continue reading. If joy were dependent upon our own decisions, then that would insinuate our thought processes having control over our experience... and that we are knowledgeable enough of what is right and wrong for us. So then, we would be able to please ourselves in all things and in any given situation. But we all know that occasions come where man has no clue what to do. Given all of the above, it is impossible to have no faith. I will attest that self faith only leads to utter destruction, however. Destruction of joy, hope, pleasure, etc. I might be able, for one moment, to temporarily find such joy. But it would not sustain all of the other moments that life throws.
Progress with me. Now, let's say things are lining up in one direction. A whole lot going. Even though I do not try to control these things, do they dictate my joy? Good job, loving wife & family, great neighborhood. Bills paid. Even though my father has just died (hypothetically), I still have all of these to fall back on. Happy? I lose my job, my wife is getting paid, but same happiness? A fact is that, no matter what anyone's condition may be, anything can happen. This is where pure faith is inserted (here). Pure faith is that where our cumulative thoughts cause us to trust and hope within that power higher than ourselves, in the power of God. Such faith causes us to not trust our own selves, but to lean on the promises and grounds which are able to dictate our situation for the better; to trust in the fruition of God's Word. Stay with me!
I'm forced into a situation. I must make a decision. After thinking about it, I decide. Though everything looks terrible, I can try my best to get around it, to bring it to resolve. Or, I can go through the situation without a care, while truly depending on the power of God to trim the problems and while remaining faithful to His service. May sound crazy to some, but I have witnessed such help from God in the midst of the fire. The three Hebrew boys in Daniel 3 did as well, and had God with them the entire time, to confirm them while they were in the fiery furnace! They could have joined the crowd, and followed the dictation of Nebuchadnezzar. By faith, they stood out for God, and chose to react differently than their natural mind told them. Even if God wasn't going to deliver them, they had their mind up that they would continue to honor Him! And He did, because He was pleased by their faith. Simply, God is the giver of joy, and he only grants it when we do those things to please Him, by faith!
For God gives to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy... Ecclesiastes 2:26
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Thou will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
Anyone can experience His joy!
Progress with me. Now, let's say things are lining up in one direction. A whole lot going. Even though I do not try to control these things, do they dictate my joy? Good job, loving wife & family, great neighborhood. Bills paid. Even though my father has just died (hypothetically), I still have all of these to fall back on. Happy? I lose my job, my wife is getting paid, but same happiness? A fact is that, no matter what anyone's condition may be, anything can happen. This is where pure faith is inserted (here). Pure faith is that where our cumulative thoughts cause us to trust and hope within that power higher than ourselves, in the power of God. Such faith causes us to not trust our own selves, but to lean on the promises and grounds which are able to dictate our situation for the better; to trust in the fruition of God's Word. Stay with me!
I'm forced into a situation. I must make a decision. After thinking about it, I decide. Though everything looks terrible, I can try my best to get around it, to bring it to resolve. Or, I can go through the situation without a care, while truly depending on the power of God to trim the problems and while remaining faithful to His service. May sound crazy to some, but I have witnessed such help from God in the midst of the fire. The three Hebrew boys in Daniel 3 did as well, and had God with them the entire time, to confirm them while they were in the fiery furnace! They could have joined the crowd, and followed the dictation of Nebuchadnezzar. By faith, they stood out for God, and chose to react differently than their natural mind told them. Even if God wasn't going to deliver them, they had their mind up that they would continue to honor Him! And He did, because He was pleased by their faith. Simply, God is the giver of joy, and he only grants it when we do those things to please Him, by faith!
For God gives to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy... Ecclesiastes 2:26
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Thou will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
Anyone can experience His joy!
My brotha Nick, you are an extremely captivating writer, Im declaring that God will raise you up to be a great author for the kingdom of God.
ReplyDeleteYour comments on time were thought provoking, My prayer is that the Lord will bless me to discern between what important, and what not and too focus my efforts to achieve great things for His Kingdom and for His glory!!!