I'm Back In The Saddle Again....

Week off. Trip to Panama City Beach with the entire Bynum clan. Seafood......SEE food.....The beach...the ocean.....games at night (Scrabble and Rook)....Much laughter. Grand kids in the pool with snorkels and fins. Whew! Very tired but very happy.

Genesis 26:24 - ......"Do not fear, for I am with you."
As believers, we say we know this.
We know that God is with us.
God's Holy Spirit inhabits us and gives us direction and teaching on what to do.
We say we know it, but when trouble comes or when situations arise that come against what we believe, are we really going to bear into the truth we lay claim to, or will we allow our "flesh" to rise up and bring fear to us?

I'm not sure that I can fully articulate what is in my head but I am going to try.
We are God's creation.....fallen, but still God's creation.
He knows that we are creatures of emotion. That our real weakness is living by our feelings and emotions, rather than being lead by His Holy Spirit.
As addicts, the idea of living by emotion and feeling is what drove them to use.
Hurting? Get high and make it go away.
Depressed? Get drunk and you'll feel better.
That promise soon faded (the promise of feeling better) and was replaced with the idea of using simply to feel "normal".
So, God understands our nature. It isn't that we will ever escape having feelings, or be flooded with a perpetual state of giddy happiness, but I do believe that God empowers us to make the right decision when we feel overwhelmed by our emotions. God's Holy Spirit, living inside of each believer, draws our attention away from "what we are feeling" and focuses us on "What is true."

In other words, we turn our attention toward God.
We remember the truth that He has spoken in His word and over us as His children.
The devil uses our emotions to work against us.
How many of you actually were strengthened spiritually when you were afraid or depressed?
None.
The devil knows that if he can keep you focused on your emotional state, he can keep you from hearing God.
Not hearing from God only heightens the turmoil and fear and dread, which in turns draws us deeper into this vicious cycle of emotion.
"God isn't here."
"God doesn't love me."
"God doesn't hear my prayers."
What is the truth?
God is here. Didn't Jesus say He would never leave us nor forsake us? Yes! He did say that.
God does love us. Didn't God say in John 3:16 that He loved the world? Yes! He did say that.
"God doesn't hear my prayers."
If we confess our sins.........
He is faithful to forgive us our sins.....
God does hear our prayers.

Don't be lead astray by your emotions today.
If you find yourself being overwhelmed, stop......turn your mind to Jesus and read Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You can take that promise to the bank.
God on you....

mb