Who Are You, Really?

Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:3

You are not your job or vocation.

You are not your appearance.

You are not what other people think you are.

People judge by appearances. Even Jesus was judged by what others saw him as being.

Sadly, from the time of Jesus, and long before then, until today people see us as they wish. They label us according to our job, our appearance, their preconceived ideas. Most often when we meet new people they want to know where we work. They look at our clothes and appearance, and make false judgments.

If we say we are retired they imagine us sitting at home working on jigsaw puzzles or perhaps out playing golf. They dismiss us as having nothing much to offer the world. Similarly, if we say we are disabled, or they discover we are poor, their interest in us wanes. On the other hand, if you tell them you are an executive at a major corporation, or work in politics, or the media, etc., they become quite animated about you. Tell them you are rich and they are overcome with interest in you.

Thankfully, God has higher standards than humans. Jesus was dismissed as a mere Carpenter when before them stood God in human form. Though we are nothing compared to Jesus, nevertheless the person who is a son or daughter of God is a child of the Most High King! How foolishly we judge others by appearances.

Take no comfort in a prestigious job or a great amount of wealth. You could wake up tomorrow with a crippling disease or empty bank account. How foolish to judge anyone on such a poor foundation.

Instead I encourage you to do what the philosopher said: Examine your life. Examine your true self. Who are you? What are you?

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” —Socrates

For the Christian the only true identity that matters is being a child of God. Of having an eternal destination far greater than any pleasure cruise on this earth. If we change our perspective about ourselves, it will enable us to change our perspective about others. 

The poor woman who spends so much time on her hands and knees praying to God: A Prayer Warrior.The man in the wheelchair with his Bible constantly open: A Wise Man. That frazzled mother who is praying while trying to rein in a wayward child: A Saint. The couple who give so much to mission work overseas: Those With Great Riches In Heaven’s Bank. The quadripalegic woman who is constantly communicating with God: A Friend Of God!

Examine your life. Forget about “5 or 10 year occupational goals”. Put aside ideas of climbing a “Corporate Ladder”. Instead work to build on the foundation of the Savior Jesus Christ! The most important answer to the question of who you really are should begin with: A Christian saved by the grace of God and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to quit evaluating ourselves by this world’s standards and how others see us but rather by how You see us. Show us who we are in You and help us never to lose sight of it. Amen.

Is There Anything Good About Depression?

    “Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life” Psalms 143:7-8

    For those of us who suffer depression, having the word “good” connected to it seems ridiculous. In a general sense there is nothing good about depression. Nevertheless, I believe there are some side effects of suffering depression that can be good.

    Depression can drive us into the loving arms of God. Depression humbles us, shows us our weakness and needs, and reminds us that life is not always easy. And it can open our eyes to the fact that there must be something more “out there".

    I have read that there is a higher percentage of authors/writers who have depression than the general population. And that does not surprise me, as writers often strive to communicate their feelings on the written page, and are sometimes driven to do so by their emotions. 

    Some with depression are more creative, perhaps they “live in their head” more, think more, are alone more, and may be more sensitive and perceptive because of their depression. None of this makes depression good, but perhaps it is God’s consolation for our misery.

    Yet depression can be dangerous, it has taken more lives than automobile accidents (according to the CDC). It often needs both medication and counseling. It is serious, and having suffered with it for years, I do not make light of just how horrible and dangerous it is.

    Ultimately we must give our depression to God, counting upon Him to bring us through. Our strength alone is insufficient.

    You will find it is necessary to let things go, simply for the reason that they are too heavy. —Corrie ten Boom

    If you have depression or think that you do, and you have not already done so, I would encourage you to seek help, get counseling, if recommended, take medication. And always call upon the Lord to aid you in this terrible battle. We are not alone in the fight against depression.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, when darkness surrounds us, please shine Your glorious light into our lives. Amen.

Are You Choosing Your Battles Wisely?

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” Matthew 10:16

    I have learned over the years that I must guard my physical, mental, and emotional resources and use them carefully and wisely. My health issues do not leave me with any surpluses of energy, so I must be wise about how I expend my limited resources and abilities.

    One of my favorite sayings is “Choose your battles wisely.” And I have tried to live by that, especially since my health issues became life changing. I cannot afford to get involved in senseless debates or arguments, especially not with friends and family. If I stand my ground on an issue, I make very sure it is an issue that requires me to do so.

    But beyond debates, arguments, and conflicts, illness forces me to carefully choose anything and everything that takes precious energy and strength away from me. There is no room for wasted effort, or useless application of my limited resources. This is a good practice not only for those who are ill, but for everyone.

    In this life there is so little we have control over, especially when it comes to illness and disease, so when it comes to things we can control, where we can invoke our choices, we should do so wisely.

    I would encourage you to take stock of your physical and mental resources, and to carefully consider where you want to expend your energy and abilities. There is so much in life we should avoid when it comes to the limited energy and resources we have. God helps us, giving us strength and encouragement, yet He expects us to use good judgment and not squander His help.

    In life some choices are taken from you, yet there are other things you make decisions about, and in those situations it is best to choose our battles wisely.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, help us not to be unwise, but to always choose our battles wisely. Amen.

Replace Negativity With God

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

I wanted to become a salesman. But I had a problem. I knew I had a negative personality. My philosophy in my younger years was to “Expect the worst and when it happens you won’t be surprised.”

Needless to say that is not an attitude you can take into the sales profession and find success. Even as a youth I knew I had to “change my mind.”

Thankfully, my realization in my personality flaw also coincided with a strengthening faith in God. I read “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. And other books about optimism. I listened to cassette tapes of Faith Preachers. I did everything I could, with God’s help, to stir faith and confidence in my thinking and actions.

Understanding the importance of a positive mental attitude has served me well throughout my life. I have had many times and opportunities to be negative with all my health issues over the years. Yet I have found that when one has placed their trust, confidence, and their very life into the Hands of God almighty there is success.

It also helps to look at God’s measure of success. The human point of view looks at fame, riches, prestige, and power. God looks at faithfulness, integrity, goodness, and love. The fruit of the Spirit is a good measurement of success in life:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

I was a salesman, and had success at it. A “mind cleanse” of removing my negative attitude was paramount to that success. And I have found over the years I need a mind cleanse on a regular basis to remove negativity through reading God’s word. One passage in particular has always been helpful:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Sometimes we face horrible situations in life that no amount of positive thinking can overcome. We all face tough times. While a good mental attitude will not prevent hardship, it can give us the strength to endure and overcome through the power of Christ within us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, remove our negativity and replace it with Your Word, Spirit, and power. Help us to never forget that You are at work within us, giving us hope in all circumstances. Amen.