Are You in a Thinking Trap? Part 2

I am beginning this column with God saying, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid," (Hebrews 13: 5-6) And I will also end with it. "Never will I leave you." God's promise gives me an option to go through life without being haunted by fear. This doesn't mean I won't be tempted to fear; rather, in the midst of temptation, I will remember what God has said, and so, be full of courage-just like a child who picks himself up and dusts himself off in order to please his father.

Fear: So many of us stumble in our faith when fear sets in. We forget the power of God's promise; we forget to take a deep breath spiritually. We become filled with dread, convinced that nothing and no one can help us.

What are you dreading? You are not a coward; whatever it is, you may have to face it. I am not saying that it will be easy. It may be the most difficult situation you have ever faced. Build on God's promise. Say with confidence, "In this moment, in my present mindset, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."

"God has said, (So we say)..." Are you learning to speak only after you've listened to what God has said? Or are you trying to make his words fit into what you already believe? The only way to move past dread is to grasp the full meaning of God's promises. "Never will I forsake you"-no matter what kind of evil or challenge is in your way.

Weakness: Another thing that gets in the way of God's promise is our own weakness. When we realize how frail we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God becomes a nonentity "Numbers 13: 33" And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

Have we learned to sing after hearing God's melody? Are we finding the courage to say, "The Lord is my helper"? Or are we succumbing to the weak side of our nature?

I was reading the third book of a trilogy Called "Tales of the Kingdom" by David & Karen Mains. The second chapter is about a boy who had to cross an evil, wretched place to get to the "Bright City". He was given instruction and had to travel alone.

He was given six rules to keep him safe:

1. Always stay on the path.

2. Do not take any shortcuts or detours.

3. Remember that although you are traveling alone, you are not really alone.

4.Use your greatest gift (which is Truth) while crossing.

5. The path will always show itself if you wait.

6. Only those brave enough to make Crossing "alone" are ready to work for the Restoration with others.

It was a tough journey. He was weak, and could be fooled by deceits. I related to his journey. I copied them in my notebook, and was thankful for the set of rules and the help he received.

Write the following

scripture in your notebook:

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." - Hebrews 13:5-6

When he got to the "Bright City", he found out that this place was also under attack. (I am pretty sure the "Bright City" it is not depicted as Heaven).

He was given 4 more rules to stay protected.

1. Whenever you live as a One Only, you are in danger. Don't make "solo" decisions.

2. Whenever the hum of the hatchet becomes foolishness, you are in danger. (Scoffing at good counsel or compromising truth).

3. When you begin to keep secrets from your closest friends, you are in danger.

4. When you find that you love darkness more than light, then you are in GREAT DANGER!

Read my next weeks column for part 3

Blessings, Julie