Fight or Flight?

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." -1 Corinthians 9:24-25

My mother, sister, and I are almost completely convinced that we would be utterly useless in a true life or death crisis. Having never been in one we cannot say for sure, but there is an abundance of evidence that proves this theory. Whenever we are scared (usually by one another or another family member and usually on purpose), we do one of three things: (A) we scream loud enough to scare people who were not scared to begin with, (B) we literally drop to the floor, (C ) we do both (A) and (B). Hilarious does not begin to describe what it is to the "scare-er", but the "scare-ee" rarely joins in the laughter and immediately begins plotting revenge. (By the way, I ask that you use this illustration as an amusing part of the lesson to follow and not license to use it against us. I assure you that we do always fight back…once we get off the floor that is.)

Most of us have heard of the "fight or flight" response, which describes the one of two ways our bodies respond to stress. We either face it head-on or flee from it like a rabbit scampering from a hunter…or in some of our cases like a possum playing dead. While entertaining to think about it in the context of my family's pranks, God recently revealed some aspects of my spiritual "fight or flight" response to me that were not funny at all.

As I took a walk through our neighborhood, I was praying about why I seem to remain stuck in certain stress patterns concerning various parts of my life. I try (key word being "try") to alternate bursts of running with walking when I exercise, and after running a bit (key words being "a bit"), I felt Him whisper to my heart, "It's because you run. When you get scared, you run." Confessing the truth, I took issue with that statement. Unwisely attempting a "fight" response, I prayed, "But, Lord, I do this…But, Lord, I do that…How can you say that I run???" After refuting His words and God showing me that I was wrong, I threw out the excuse I knew to be true but not enough to excuse it all: "But, God, sometimes it's just too hard!"

Then, right there on my country road, He revealed something brilliant to my heart that I cannot forget: "What could be harder than the way you feel right now? It may be hard to fight, but you have Me in your corner, and we will be victorious in the end. Choosing to give up and run away will only ensure that the difficulty of despair, hopelessness, and defeat you speak of will continue."

We get so frightened at the prospect of a fight that we forget to be even more scared of laying down, giving up the fight, and ceding victory to the enemy. May we all choose to put on our spiritual boxing gloves and experience some victory in Jesus today.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for the words You spoke to me. Please speak them to the heart of every child of Yours reading this post today. Show us the victory You promise, and help us to claim it. Help us to face life and all its stresses standing boldly in Your power rather than cowering in our own. We love you, God, and thank You for victory in Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen!

Pointing Fingers

I posted a few weeks ago about dealing with those who habitually criticize us. Then this super-fun (insert sarcasm here) thing happened that is so often the case in my life: after I pointed out a fault in others, God lovingly but firmly revealed the fingers pointing back at me. You have to laugh (mainly to keep from crying) at the sheer brilliance of God using the horrific behaviors of those around us to shine a spotlight on the same horrific behaviors in our life that have been hidden in dark places ranging from denial to unawareness. Ever had a conversation like this with God?

"God, you are going to have to do something about this person! They say this and they do that and they just won't stop! God, what are you waiting for?!?! You've got all of nature at your disposal. You've used big fish, blinding lights, and much more to get someone's attention before. I'd like to special order a combo for this person so You can let them know exactly what's wrong with them!" -Christian

(There's usually a slight pause in Heaven after a statement like the one above. Presumably it's God holding back a chuckle over what is about to happen next....) 

"Child, are you sure they are the only person in this scenario who is misbehaving?" -God

"Huh? Oh, well, sure they're not. Their best friend is a major pain too, but we'll talk about that person later. Now about those big fish..." -Christian

"No, child, no...I meant is it possible that you, too, have a similar sin in your life?" -God

"Noooooooooooooooooo! God, we are talking about them, not me. Could you keep up, please?" -Christian 

"Their behavior, which is so sickening to you, is reflecting a similar sin in your heart and your life that is sickening to Me...one that you and I need to work together to get rid of. " -God 

(There's usually a pause on Earth after a statement like the one above...and trust me, there is no laughing now.) 

I am not intentionally, habitually vocally critical of others, but God has really spoken to my heart lately about how many negative thoughts about those around me appear in my head and pop out of my mouth before I can think twice...which I should. I could blame society, social media, or even Satan himself, but I must take responsibility for my actions. Yes, society has a toxic habit of criticism. Absolutely, social media is infested with it as well. Certainly, Satan whispers condemning thoughts about other people (and me as well) into my ear on a daily basis. HOWEVER, as a born again child of God, I possess "...power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV). 

The power to send those thoughts back to where they came from. The love to dig for the good in others to lift up and encourage them instead of heap piles of shame upon them and spread hateful words like horse manure. The self-discipline to keep my mouth shut if all else fails. Each of those things dwells inside my heart thanks to the Holy Spirit's residence there. There are no excuses. No one else to blame. Only changes to be made. 

This revelation about myself is especially painful, because I have been granted the spiritual gift of encouragement. Using words to empower and uplift someone else gives me endless joy. Using them in a way that weakens and pushes others down is a disservice to those around me, myself, and the God who made me, saved me, and gifted me for His service. I will not be perfect, but, by God's grace and power, I will be better. I have to be. 

For those who know me, please do not think I have some kind of secret life where I lift people up via text, Facebook, letters, etc. and tear them down behind their back. It isn't like that. Criticism of others, for me, comes most easily toward those who have hurt me (therefore angering me), let me down, or not even given me a chance, and honestly it flows even more toward myself than others. However, Matthew 5:43-48 reads in the NIV, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 

Criticism is not excused because it is "deserved" by human standards. I do not deserve grace, forgiveness, or the love of a perfect God, but thanks be to Him that I receive it anyway. Now to pass it on to others....

Dear God, as painful and ugly as it is, thank You for showing me my sin. Thank You that You do not reveal our faults and leave us to fix them on our own, but that You walk hand-in-hand with us as we repair the damage through Your power and grace. May we all be more encouraging than critical, more helpful than hurting, more gracious than condemning. Thank You for forgiveness of sin. We ask it in Jesus's sweet name, Amen!