Run Toward The Fear

True bravery isn’t feeling no fear, it’s being afraid and moving forward anyway.

I’ve always been fascinated by the way lions hunt. I have always been drawn to the feline tendencies.

I’ve learned that it’s the lionesses that actually do the hunting and the lion is the one to scare it’s prey towards the lioness. The male are obviously incredibly intimidating, with their manes and their ferocious roars, but it’s the lionesses you really have to watch out for,

The fact that lionesses do not have a big recognizable mane actually helps then sneak up on whatever they are hunting. They lie in wait, hidden in the talk grass, motionless like statues.

I listened to a sermon by David Barton in which he said that the males do play an important albeit small role. While the females stalk their prey from behind, the long of the jungle will come from the front and let loose one of those roars that gives him his spot at the top of the food chain. His sound is so powerful it can be heard from 5 miles away. Hearing that terrifying noise causes a gazelle or antelope to run as far as they can away from whatever made the sound.

What they don’t know is that as scary as it sounds, the one roaring is more bark than bite. So away they go directly into the path of the real threat: the waiting lionesses. In other words, the prey’s instincts are wrong. Going with their gut causes them to make the last mistake of their short, little lives.

It’s counterintuitive, but the right choice would be to override their emotions and run toward the roar.

It’s shocking how often that is true. When you run from things that scare you, you move toward danger, not away from it. If you fail to face your fears, they will always be right there behind you. You must suppress the little voice inside that’s telling you to get out of dodge. It is not your friend.

When you feel that panicky fight-or-flight sensation and you want to run away, do the opposite. Run towards the roar. You have come into the kingdom for just such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)

As a child my mother used to come in the put her hands around my neck while I was sleeping at night. As an adult I used to wake up with nightmares of her standing over my bed choking me. That would be all the sleep I would get after that. I had to decide that I would go through it running towards the roar. I started a journal that when I woke up having night terrors instead of being scared and screaming and crying I was going to be strong and let these night terrors have there way and just go back to sleep when it happened. It worked. Each time I decided to let it run its course it got easier.

God calls us to go to the places that frighten us so that we will fully trust Him. The only way for you to see God do the kinds of things He desires to do in the through you is to run toward the roar again and again and again.

We can see the tenacity of the Spirit in the life of David in the Bible when he confronted Goliath in the valley of Elah, he didn’t wan to face a nine-foot warrior who was spewing out death threats against the young shepherd.

So it was, when the philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that Devil hurried and ran towards the army to meet the Philistine. (Samual 17:48)

It’s incredible that David was willing to fight Goliath at all. The fact that he sprinted toward what seemed like a certain death is astounding. He killed the giant in the end, but first he had to run toward the very thing that terrified him the most.

What in your life are you being called to right now? What is your biggest fear right now? Run Towards The Roar.

What Is A Victim Mentality?

Do you constantly feel as though you have no control over situations or that other people are out to get you? Or do you fee, as though bad things keep happening to you no matter what you do? If you find yourself blaming other people for events or situations in your life, you may be struggling with what it known as a victim mentality.

People with a victim mentality feel as though the world is against them. You may feel as though everyone else is against you, your partner, your co-workers, or even your family and friends. Even though there might be things that you can help fix the situation, you don’t take responsibility for anything and feel as though everything is out of control.

In addition you might take things personally even when they are not directed at you. Have to ever asked yourself “What did I do to deserve this? Maybe you feel resentful all the time.

We have all went though a bad time on our lives or experienced trauma, but you had no coping strategies at the time and developed a negative viewpoint or a victim mindset. This led you to believe that life just happens to you and you have no responsibility for what happens in your life.

Even when people come along and try to offer you solutions. You probably come up with a list of reasons why those solution won’t work and leave those who offer help frustrated or not understanding what went wrong. If you’re like a was, or you know someone like this. It can be hard to understand what their thinking.

We might even question why people continue to behave this way. The truth is that there are probably some secondary benefits of refusing to change a victim mindset. Maybe their gaining sympathy or attention for your distress from what happened to you. Maybe their feeling relieved that others are offering you help or validation. Probably not wanting to feel vulnerable again, and it’s so much easier not to take risks.

What Is A Victim Mentality?

While a victim mentality is not a recognized diagnosable condition, it is a commonly accepted term and has some other alternate names such as victim syndrome or victim complex.

Example: My mother always made me feel inferior, and worthless which led to me believe I was a victim of circumstance that wasn’t even supposed to be born. I was so used to feeling like a victim it was very difficult not to feel like I was normal.

Those with a victim mentality hold three beliefs:

  • Bad things have happened in the past and will continue to happen to you.
  • Others are to blame for your misfortune.
  • There is no point in trying to make a change because it will not work.

For people who hold a victim mentality, it seems like sinking into negativity is easier than trying to save yourself, and you may even force this mindset onto other people.

At its core, a victim mindset is rooted in trauma, distress, and pain most of the time. When you experience a traumatic situation, typically at the hands of other people, you may learn that you are helpless and that nothing you do in the future is going to make any difference.

This leads you to feel vulnerable and afraid, and in turn, you choose not to take responsibility or place blame on other people and make excuses even when there are actions you could take.

In childhood we often feel like victims because we have no control what people do to you. Then as a result in adulthood being a victim is ingrained into us. It makes it a hard road ahead of us. A difficult path to become responsible for our own lives and have a degree of control over what happens in going forward.

It seems like when other people try and help you, it’s common to retreat into self-pity mode and think that nothing will ever work.

It’s hard work to change but we must work toward a meaningful change.

The Origin Of Halloween

The name “Halloween’ comes from the all Saints Day Celebration of the early church, a day set aside for the solemn remembrance of the martyrs. All Halloween Eve, the evening before “All Saints Day” began the time of remembrance. All “All Hallows Eve” was eventually contracted to Halloween.

As the church moved through Europe it collided with pagan cultures and confronted established customs. Pages holidays and festivals were so entrenched that new converts found them to be stumbling blocks to their faith. To deal with the problem, the organized church would commonly move a distinctively church holiday to a spot on the colander that would directly challenge a pagan holiday.

To invent a counter pagan influences and provide a alternative. But most of the church only succeeded in “Christianizing” a pagan ritual-the ritual was still pagan, but mixed with Christian symbolism. That’s what happened to All Saints Eve-it was the original Halloween alternative.

The Celtic people of Europe and Britain were pagan Druids whose major celebrations were marked by the seasons. At the end of the year in Northern Europe, people made preparations to ensure winter survival by harvesting the crops and culling the herds, slaughtering animals that wouldn’t make make it. Life slowed down as winter brought darkness fallow ground and death. The imagery of death, symbolized skulls, and the color back, remains in today’s Halloween celebrations.

The pagan Samhain festival (pronounced “sow” “en”) celebrated the final harvest, death, and the onset of winter, for three days-October 31 to November 2. The celts believed the curtain divided the living and the dead to walk among the living-ghosts haunting the earth.

Some embraced the season of haunting by engaging in occult practices such as divination and communications with the dead. They sought divine spirits (demons) and the spirits of their ancestors regarding weather forecasts for the coming year, crop expectations. And even romantic prospects. Bobbing for apples was one practice the pagans used to divine the spiritual world’s “blessings” on a couple’s romance.

For others the focus on death, occultism, divination, and thought of spirits returning to haunt the living, fueled ignorant superstitions and fears. They believed spirits were earthbound until the received a proper send off with treats, possessions, wrath, food, and drink. Spirits who were not suitably treated would trick those who had neglected them. The fear of haunting only multiple if that spirit had been offended during its lifetime.

Trick-bent spirits were believed to assume grotesque appearances. Some traditions developed, which believed wearing a costume to look like a spirit would fool the wondering spirits. Others believed the spirits could be warded off by carving a grotesque face into a gourd or root vegetable and setting a candle inside it-the jack-o-lantern.

Into the dark, superstitious, pagan world, God mercifully shined the light of the gospel. Newly converted Christian armed themselves with the truth and no longer fears a haunting from departed spirits returning to earth. In fact, they denounced their former pagan spiritism in accord with Deuteronomy 18:

There shall not be found among you anyone… who used divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spirit it’s, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18: 10-13)

Nonetheless, Christian concerts found family and cultural influence hard to withstand; they were tempted to rejoin the pagan festivals, especially Samhain. Pope Gregory IV reacted to the pagan challenge by moving the celebration of All Saints Day in the ninth century-he set the date at November 1, right in the middle of Samhain.

As the centuries passed, Samhain and All Hallows Eve mixed together. On the one hand, pagan superstitions gave way to “Christianized” superstitions and provided more fodder for fear. People began to understand that the pagan ancestral spirits were demons and the diviners were practicing witchcraft and necromancy. On the other hand, the festival time provided greater opportunity for revelry. Trick-or-treat became a time when roving bands of young hooligans would go house to house gathering food and drinks for their parties. Stingy household ran the risks of a trick being played on the property from drunk young people.

Halloween didn’t become an American holiday until the immigration of the working class from British Isles in the late nineteenth century. While early Immigrants may have believed the superstitious traditions. It was the mischievous aspects of the holiday that Attracted American young people. Younger generations borrowed of adopted many customs without reference to their pagan origins.

Where Does A Holy Man Sit?

The Holy Man in the Center.

I was told this many years ago, and it has stuck with me.

There as a holy man who went to dinner. The host brought him dinner to the most honored seat. In humility, the man refused, and instead sat by the door. Other honored guests came and were brought to the seats where the holy man was. “Why are we not sitting near the center of the table; the place of honor?” They complained. The host said, “you’re in the most honored seat. For wherever the holy man sits that’s the center of the table.” The same with us. We focus on our circumstances, our seat, our status, how others treat us.

We want better attention, a better place better everything, but we’re missing the point. We should not live a life focused on our circumstances, but be focused on being with Him. Wherever He is, that’s the center of everything, that’s the place to be. Whenever you are in life doesn’t matter: aim to be near Him, you’re in the place of honor. Your circumstances don’t matter. Stay close to Him because wherever you are, you will be sitting in the center of the table of life. -Psalm 16:11-

Seasonal Affective Disorder

What exactly is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

It’s a form of depression known as SAD, seasonal depression or winter depression. Over 10 million individuals suffer from it every fall or winter. it is identifies as a type of depression known as Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern. While people may have their depression under control, the seasonal pattern of depression usually seek up on them.

I have to admit, it snuck up me this year. I was on my happy way enjoy the crisp air and crunchy leaves. And then Bam it was there.

A few years ago I didn’t know a single thing about SAD.

People with SAD excuses mood changes and symptoms similar to depression. The symptoms usually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improve with the arrival of spring. The most difficult months for people with SAD in the United States tend to be in January and February. But can be difficult as the weather turns colder in the fall.

SAD is more than just the winter blues. The symptoms can be distressing and overwhelming and can interfere with daily functioning.

SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight. As seasons change people experience a shift in the biological internal clock or circadian rhythm that can cause then to be out of step with their daily schedule. Sad is more common in people living far from the equator where there are fewer daylight hour in the winter.

Common symptoms of SAD include fatigue, even too much sleep, and weight gain associated with over eating and carbohydrates cravings. SAD include many symptoms similar yo depression, such as:

  • Feeling sad or having a depressed mood.
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
  • Changes in appetite, usually eating more craving carbohydrates.
  • Change is sleep, usually sleeping too much.
  • Loss of energy or increased fatigue despite increased sleep hours.
  • Increase in purposeless physical activity like inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing or slowed movements or speech with others around you noticing.
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Difficultly thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.

SAD may begin at any age, but it typically starts when a person is between ages 18-30.

There are treatments for SAD, they are light therapy, talk therapy, or antidepressants can help some people. I use light therapy.

While symptoms will improve on their own with the change of the season, treatment can improve symptoms more quickly with treatment.

Light therapy involves sitting in front of a light box that emits a very bright and filters out the harmful UV rays. It usually requires 20 minutes a day first thing in the morning during the late fall and winter months. Most people see some improvement from light therapy within one to two weeks of beginning treatment. A light box is quite expensive most insurance companies don’t pay for them. I have found that a salt lamp works just as well and a whole lot cheaper.

Talk therapy is cognitive behavior therapy can effectively treat SAD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are anti-depression most commonly used to treat SAD. I usually try and stay away from pills as much as I can. Some how popping a pill with side affected and who knows what isn’t very appealing to me. But the choice is yours.

For some people, increased exposure to sunlight can help improve symptoms of SAD. Spend time outside as much as possible, or set up a room where you spend most of your time where you are by a sunny window most of the day.

As always if you feel you have symptoms of SAD seek help from a trained medical professional. It is important to make sure there is not other medical conditions causing symptoms. SAD can be misdiagnosed in the presence of hypothyroidism, hyperglycemia, and mononucleosis, and other viral infections. Proper evaluation is key.

The Truth That Set Us Free

In today’s world it’s harder that even to suggest that you have the immovable and unavoidable truth about life. Absolutes are disdained, and having a monopoly on the truth doesn’t go down well when discussing the big issues of life.

In the Bible it tells us that Jesus claimed to be the truth. And that truth of who He is, is our light. It illuminates what is real and exposes what is wrong. This is why Jesus claimed that if people followed Him and His teachings, they would know the truth. And the truth will set them free.

When life gets messy and everything around us is crashing down we long for a anchor in the storm something to ground us that is unchanging, timeless and true. God’s Word is living and active, and the Bible is the only sure and unchanging source of truth to be found in this life.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we prepared to be uncontested. Society screams at us that: Complete objective truth is unknowable.” It’s all about our interpretation of the truth. A generation that usually hesitates to accept any truth outside of the validation of personal experiences and option. We try to say “be who you are and I won’t judge you for it. But these are unsteady foundations to build our lives upon.

What if truth is not just a point of view? What if the truth is not ever-changing crowd consensus, but instead is a person who you get to know and who knows you? Jesus offers the kind of freedom that comes from living and breathing what is true.

What would happen if we learned to appreciate and recognize the need this kind of stability.

Looking at God’s truth in the Bible we can become a informed generation, linked together with technology, aware of many of the answers our culture provides.

Sadly their are so many people that judge how the believers in God live. In today’s World

What does it matter to you if I’m right or I’m wrong at the end of days it will make no difference but if I’m right I will go to heaven if I am wrong if you are wrong you go to hell.