Fearless: God wants you to have no fear

a reply to: Out6of9Balance

Some of your other threads reminded me about an article I read years back. It touches on faith, fear and ego...

Have Faith In Yourself

Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It is often used in a religious context, but here I shall consider it in a more generic sense. Life is filled with uncertainty and uncertainty can create anxiety or fear. Fear is a lack of faith, either in the world or in our ability to cope with the world.

In any given situation that is causing us worry, there are many ways things could turn out well and just as many ways things could turn out badly. Worriers tend to focus on all the worst-case outcomes and may even embellish them. The truth is that only one outcome will be realized in the end.

Stress is created not only by imagining a negative outcome, but then imagining all of the additional negative outcomes that will flow from the first one. It becomes a downward spiral that seems impossible to get out of. No wonder sleep is affected and stress chemicals flood the body. We are in fight or flight mode and nothing has even happened yet.

I confess most recently a curveball gave me some reminders...

Disappointment paid me a visit. Unfortunately, my sister was wrestling with Coronavirus. My mom was asked to self-isolate. I mentioned this to a friend of mine, before hearing anything back from our local health team. My intuition told me I was fine but felt it important to bring it up. Well, he told my boss before I had all the information. I was going to mention it later, I don't like bugging people on Sundays.

We talked briefly and he suggested getting a test done. I looked into it and from what I could see testing was pricey and hard to book. I was looking at perhaps a 5-day turnaround on results, assuming I could book a test. The places I talked to gave me the impression that you had to be traveling to qualify.

A part of me felt betrayed, and it was trying to take over. I started worrying about work, rent, and the stress of taking another unwanted holiday.

Why did I put myself in this situation?

Idk, why I am so stubborn. I stewed longer than I should of. I try to practice solving my own problems before taking it up to our Heavenly Father.

When I asked, I got the impression that I should ask someone for help. I had been keeping all of this to myself.

I remembered the last time I was feeling anxious like this, I gave my counselor a call. The way their insight quickly helped me before, left a strong impression, and reassured me that it's ok to ask for help.

They were busy, and someone told me they would call back.

I mentioned to my daughter what was going on. She was wondering if I slept in, I miss work rarely. I'm glad I did, talking with her brought to mind that I shouldn't get ahead of myself. She told me to just call my boss, fill him in, and see what he says. Why am I even worried about that? I hadn't heard back anything from my mom?

Our contact had been minimal, and sure enough, the health team had told her that I was fine.

I talked to my boss, and he told me to come back to work.

I told the counselor when they called back that I was ok and that everything was good. The steps were similar to the last time I felt this way. A night stressing is better than two weeks though, maybe there is hope for me yet

Looking back, I think the feeling of betrayal I experienced threw me off guard. I got to practice watching out for that.

Sometimes people get the impression that faith is all about leaning, a crutch of sorts. Faith starts small but can grow as we do, spiritually.This quote by Anthony De Mello comes to mind:

One Minute Wisdom Anthony De Mello/Image Books p5

ADULTHOOD

To a disciple who was always at his prayers the Master said:
"When will you stop leaning on God and stand on your own two feet?"
The disciple was astonished.
"But you are the one who taught us to look on God as Father!"
"When will you learn that a father isn't someone you can lean on but someone who
rids you of your tendency to lean?"

God is often described as a parent, and I believe that most parents would like their children to grow and mature into productive adults. Each of us learns at our own pace...

a reply to: Akragon

I never said anything about Roman coercion. What I said was many think the term Christian came from Romans mocking Christians but there is no proof of that. However the context of Paul And Barnabas was they called them Christians first in Antioch[qoute] Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

One must die in the sense of accepting that work on the cross through belief and confession

Roms 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

a reply to: ChesterJohn

a reply to: dffrntkndfnml
a parable is a true to life story meant to convey a truth. However the scriptures of Matt 5-7 teach it and it is rules for living in the Kingdom, which never came and has been postponed since Acts 7.

Imo the in the Sermon On The Mount, Christ shares his insights for living life from the heart.

As we practice growing closer to God, hopefully, our behavior will help make it easier for others to build and share in that relationship. Brings to mind the "Our Father," and Isaiah 58. God sent the Holy Spirit too.

Personally, our time here could be a slice of paradise as we collectively mature in a spiritual sense.

I guess I'm wondering what the Kingdom looks like to you?

a reply to: ChesterJohn

originally posted by: dffrntkndfnml
I guess I'm wondering what the Kingdom looks like to you?

The intent of my question was more along the lines of what is the best we can hope for living life right now?

In retrospect, it's more of a rhetorical question...

a reply to: dffrntkndfnml
You cannot do anything to live life best.
Whatever occurs simply occurs.

The only judgment we should be looking for is Gods. For that we need God.

a reply to: Out6of9Balance
God is just.....just what is.

The mind makes believe that there is other than what actually is.

Is there anything to fear right now......if thought is not believed?

a reply to: dffrntkndfnml

I understand it is the spiritual/heart practice. Always good to know that doctrinally these are the rules Israel and the rest of the world will live under in the millennial Kingdom.

a reply to: ChesterJohn
Good morning ChesterJohn

I agree, after I raised the question, it seemed rather non sensical to me given the scriptures that have been brought up.

a reply to: Itisnowagain

originally posted by: Itisnowagain
a reply to: Out6of9Balance
God is just.....just what is.

The mind makes believe that there is other than what actually is.

Is there anything to fear right now......if thought is not believed?

Idk, your philosophy strikes me a little foreign sometimes. However, the last post reminds me about a dynamic in the example I shared earlier.

Often, I picture ego and heart to a little angel and daemon on my shoulders.

Imo, the ego functions in a state of duality, while the heart functions from a state of unity. It seems like ego often uses ideas about the past and future to try and sway me. The consciousness coming from the heart seems better centered on the present.

a reply to: dffrntkndfnml

Most don't understand that there is a historical, a doctrinal and a spiritual application of the scriptures. Not always all in the same scripture though.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Resign in your faith.