" My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
For if our heart condemn us, ---God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things---. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." - 1 John 3:18 (KJV)
" ... Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26
Facing Fear & Doubt
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As Christians, or even as normal human beings --- there exist doors of thought in our mind that we are afraid to open.... for fear that our discovery may upend our way of life.
Certain doors are marked "taboo", and we have seen some people walk through them... at a cost. Certain doors are marked "doubt" & "uncertainty" , and we are happy to push those doors out of our mind and get on with the business of living. Is there really a personal God? Is there really life after death? Why is there evil, and pain and suffering? What if all this really means nothing?
Important questions you will agree ... but most will say these questions have no bearing or impact at all on the rigors day-to-day life.
Nothing could be further from the truth. A persons perspective on these questions in particular profoundly changes the perspective with which life is approached!
It is VITALLY important to face our fears and firmly walk through these doors, because the answers in the Word are True & wonderful, though they are NOT what we expect!
Habbakuk's question was about the problem of evil. We may have questions about pain & suffering ... and if you don't believe that the LORD actually spoke to Habbakuk & John, and Paul ... the question -- is there a God at all!
Lets open some of these doors today.
DOOR #1 : Gods existence
It is obvious to all humanity that the universe had a beginning, and will have an end, just like ---EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS--- does.
That clearly proves that there was an antecedent CAUSE to everything we see and experience today, that WE had no part in creating. Universe, life, man, animals ... nothing.
More than that, we see pattern, and regularity, and myriad shapes arising out of basic forms that shows an overall unity of purpose and design. From globular clusters to intricate ecosystems.
And we have the wonder of consciousness, to be able to perceive all that, and interact with it, subdue it, and exercise power over it.
We are told, IN THE BIBLE ONLY- that this consciousness, is lower-dimensional representation of a higher-dimensional being of Spirit. And this written testimony from that Spirit, in the Bible, predates any modern philosophies existing today. (That is a FACT).
You can draw your own conclusions.
DOOR #2 The problem of evil
Comes down to choice.
To choose the higher spiritual dimensions of love or to stay in the mud, grubbing for power, money and fame and wreaking havoc and misery on the lives of others.
Here is spiritual evolution for you ... and some will make the cut to evolve, some will not.
DOOR #3 The problem of pain & suffering
Pain lets us know we are still alive. Pain is an alerting mechanism to let us know of danger. Pain is a reaction to external forces disrupting the natural order of things. Pain is a teacher, telling us what to avoid. And yes, pain is undesirable.
The pain of the diseased, poor, suffering should be alerting mankind that something is wrong!
If we feel pain we rush to the ER, but has mankinds conscience gotten so seared it no longer feels it?
No... we all do. And it is in our collective power to eradicate. Nobody is stopping us.
Or are they?
DOOR #4 Life & Death
The big one.
This is a door we know we have to walk through, but avoid our whole lives!
And all we can do is point to Resurrection Day and say that fear was properly addressed.
By eyewitnesses that died rather than say that they hadn't seen Jesus --of course--, because they weren't afraid of dying anymore, and were happy to bear testimony of that with their life -- FOR OUR SAKE !!!!
If you have this perspective, you will know why the souls of children and infants have a special place in Heaven... they haven't had to UNLEARN all the miserable stuff adults learn!
Mat 18:10 ---Take heed-- that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (Mat 18:10) Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.(Luke 18:16)
We may weep for those taken early from us, but should have the confidence of David when he spoke of his son, "But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? ---I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.--- (2 Samuel 12:23)
DOOR #5 Living Life
Truth and love. Avoid lies and love everyone that crosses your path, no matter what labels the world sticks on them (and you). Listen to your heart! If you feel pain and suffering, rejoice... it means you are still alive!
And above all, cast yourself on the arms of One who cares about you more than you know, and prays for you what you should be praying for, but don't know what, or how!
Surrounded by LOVE like that, how can we be sad?
Hallelujah!!