From Pity to Praise

A reminder that these Psalms are from my Pastor, who shares one every week with the congregation. I share them with you.

“That no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” -2 Corinthians 2:11

The Bible warns us that Satan (the devil) is like a roaring lion who walks around seeking who he may desire. Whether we like it or not, Satan is a real personality who is looking for ways to destroy our lives. Since the Bible frequently warns us that this sinister enemy, we should know a few things:

• How he operates
• How to identify his attacks at the very beginning
• How to block and stop his assaults
• How to prevent repeat attacks from happening in the future

In the above verse, Paul wrote something that offers profound insight. Paul clearly understood that Satan was constantly seeking ways to take advantage of people.

Rick Renner a Bible teacher who is very well recognized as his understanding of the original Greek language point out in an article I was reading that the word “advantage” is “pleonekteo” which means to outwit, trick or to take advantage of someone through some sinister or sneaky means. These words from the name “pleonekeo” denotes a desire to have more, more, and more.

Because Paul used this word about Satan, we are alerted to the fact that Satan desperately wants something in his control. He wants us, and he will use any method necessary to take advantage of us, dominate us, and ultimately take us hostages. That is why Paul said, “we are not ignorant of his devices.

When you have an enemy who hates you this much and wants to destroy you, you can’t afford to be ignorant. Paul knew that satan wanted to destroy the gospel, that he wanted to hinder and even stop what was essential.

We need to understand the way, Satan operates. We need to be able to discern whether we are facing a human problem or a planned attack from Satan.

We can’t just shut our eyes and hope the problem will work itself out. If it is an attack from Satan and we do nothing to stop it, it will not go away and will increase and become intense. That’s why being able to recognize Satan’s game is so important.

Renner says, the word ignorant in 2 Corinthians 2:11 is the Greek word “agnoeo” refers to ignorance or lacking certain facts. However it also includes making mistakes or errors due to lack of understanding. An example is an uneducated person who has a lack of understanding, due to lack of understanding.

Because people lack understanding, their conclusions are faulty, and misguiding. We get the word “agnoeo” from agnostic, it is the official name to describe people who claim they don’t know what they believe. So if someone claims to be agnostic, they are literally claiming to be ignorant.

An example is being diagnosed with a deadly disease and thinking it is sent from God, because they are ignorant. Satan not God is the author of sickness and disease. This ignorance mistakenly concludes that their sickness must be God’s will for their life. This ignorance is devastating and can lead to premature death. It is dangerous to remain ignorant about how Satan operates.

Paul was definitely not in the dark about the Satan, and Satan found it more difficult to take advantage of him.

We need to learn these things because we face problems with people, government leaders and even friends.

Paul was thrown into prison, cast into the sea, beaten during moments of persecution. Traps were constantly being set for his capture, and he had to be on the look out for people who tried to use him, or take advantage of him. Paul couldn’t afford to be in the dark spiritually about the way Satan operated.

And neither can we.

So we shouldn’t shut our eyes and ignore the fact that satan wants to cause our downfall. Instead, we should open our eyes and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us to recognize Satan’s operations so we won’t fall prey to him in the future.

How many times have to be asked, “where do you go to church?” The question is a common one, but is fundamentally flawed of what exactly the “church” is.

Biblically, the church isn’t a building it’s a people. Scripture has several metaphors that are used for the church. Here are a few:

Romans 12:4-5 “For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-13, “For as the body is one, and hath many members hath have, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” For in one Spirit we were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given the one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.”

What these have in common is that we are not a place we go to, but rather a people we are. We do not go to the body. We either are a part of the body or we are not. Likewise, family is not something to go to, it’s something you are.

In the Bible there are no pleas to go to church. The plea is for non believers to become part of the church. In the first century, if you were a believer you were, inherently, a part of the church. If you weren’t a part of the church, no one called you a believer. In addition, being a part of the church meant you were deeply involved in and committed to the life and well-being of the church (the believers)

When we substitute seeing ourselves as the church and instead see the church as a building we go to, we lose a fundamental piece of what it means to actually be a follower of Jesus.

When we separate “church” out to something that we go to we can begin to see ourselves as part of the church, but rather the church is peripheral to me, and then there is the church, but the two are not one in the same.

This is not biblical and it leads down a path to consumerism where the church is supposed to serve me and my needs and preferences. Viewing the church in this way. Viewing the church in this way converts it from a people to a vending machine of religious goods and services for our personal benefit. We need to recommit ourselves to following God, not the church

The church isn’t a building, it’s a people that love God and love others. It’s a people that celebrate Jesus, and bless and serve those around them.

The church building serves as a sanctuary and a welcoming beacon where hurting people can find comfort, support, and connect with God. It is supposed to operate as a spiritual “hospital” and a resource for the community, providing a judgement free zone for healing and guidance.

The dark night of the soul can be marked by profound emptiness, meaninglessness, or a temporary collapse of our perceived purpose. Some describe this as spiritual dryness, that no matter how we try to connect with God, He seems far away.

A dark night is not something to fear. Yes, it may feel empty and lonely, but it doesn’t have to lead to burnout, it can lead to a great spiritual breakthrough in our lives, if we understand what’s going on and learn how to follow Jesus in the darkness. We can growth through dark nights of our soul.

Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me.”

Many times in my life I have found myself crying out like David in desperation Psalm 22:1-2, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”

Remember our darkness isn’t dark to God. Psalm 139:11-12 says, “If I say, surely the darkness will overwhelm me, the light around me will be night, even the darkness doesn’t hide your You, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is light to You.”

Even when we feel like God is no where in sight, it doesn’t mean the light is gone. God is always faithful to keep His promise to be with us when we walk through the valley of deep darkness whether we perceive Him or not.

God sometimes commissions disheartening nights of the soul to descend on His children for redemptive purposes.

Neuroscientists have found that just 12 minutes of daily focused prayer can literally rewire your brain. It is known as self directed neuroplasticity, physically thickens the prefrontal cortex while calming the fear center -the amygdala, making you more emotionally resilient and less reactive to stress.

This rewiring isn’t tied to a single, magical phrase, rather, it is a result of consistent focus and intention. To effectively harness prayer for brain transformation, scientific and spiritual experts recommend incorporating the following.

• Engage Multiple Senses: speaking prayers out loud or writing them down in a journal, bypasses repetitive, distractive thoughts.

• Practicing gratitude: this starts by specifically thanking God for your blessings. Gratitude requires the brain to focus on abundance rather than fear.
• Adding visualization: when we picture the feelings or positive outcomes that we are praying for this mentally rehearses, the neural pathways associated with faith and hope.
• Incorporating music: humming, or listening to worship music, activates, the brains, auditory and emotional centers, deepening a meditative state.

• Staying consistent: build a routine of roughly 12 minutes a day. Over weeks and months repeated focus will naturally strengthen pathways, linked to empathy, emotional control, and peace. 

Prayer brings us closer to God. Whatever effects it has on the brain is a direct result of God. I don’t need science to give me proof. I’ve seen it in action in my own life. But it’s interesting to see as time goes on more and more proof of God is showing up.

That nagging voice that whispers doubts and anxieties into our ears, making us question ourselves and the world around us.Whether difficulties of living in a confusing world or the strain of meeting expectations. Regardless, anxiety is a genuine problem with numerous people.

Here’s the encouraging news: Worry frequently tells falsehoods, warping reality and blurring our understanding of truth. But there is a strong defense against these deceptions -God’s Word.

The Bible offers facts that can demolish the falsehoods of worry and can guide us toward peace and freedom. There are some typical falsehoods anxiety suggests and some spiritual truths that can liberate us.

• Lie #1: God doesn’t care about my problems: This troubles are too slight for God to notice or too massive for His help. We might think, God has greater concerns than my anxiety or my anxiety is unbearable, even God can’t solve this. It’s easy to believe where isolated in our battles, that God is far away or unconcerned.

However, the Bible presents a contrasting narrative. 1 Peter 5:7 states, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Think about these words: “All your anxiety.” This encompasses, major and minor concerns, those that trouble our sleep and subtly bother us. He urges us to share them with Him. He desires participation in every part of our lives. He deeply cares about our suffering, our dread, and our worries. He isn’t a remote unfeeling God. He’s a loving parent constantly prepared to hear and assist.

• Lie #2: I have to be perfect: Worry we drive a constant case for flawlessness. We think we need to be the ideal partner, the perfect parent, the perfect worker, in the perfect follower of Jesus. We aim for spotless execution in all parts of our lives, scared of errors or falling short to meet standards. The demand for perfection can be exhausting and unattainable.

Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This scripture tells us we are all flawed. We all make mistakes, we all trip, and we all miss God’s ideal. God doesn’t anticipate flawlessness. He wants us to be eager to learn, grow, and rely on His kindness. The wonderful thing about God’s grace is that it provides pardon and rescue. We don’t need to gain God’s affection, He gives it freely.

We can embrace God’s grace and be gentle with ourselves. We can begin by examining our inner critic. Don’t dwell excessively on our mistakes; remember, everyone stumbles. We can learn to forgive ourselves. To treat ourselves as we would treat others. And remember God’s affection for us is unconditional, despite our flaws.

• Lie #3: I’m all alone: Stress can feel incredibly lonely. It suggests that no one gets our pain and that we’re alone in the battle against our emotions. We may distance ourselves from loved ones because we fear being judged or rejected. This loneliness only makes our anxiety worse.

Hebrews 13:5 assures us, “I will never leave you not forsake you.” This is a divine promise. God will never abandon us, no matter how intense our anxiety becomes. We are not alone. God is always with us, providing affection, comfort, and assistance. Moreover, He urges us to bond with others and discover power in fellowship

I have found the greatest approach to fighting falsehood of loneliness is to bond with my church family. I participate in a small group that I know will be for me, not against me.

• Lie #4: The worst is going to happen: anxiety is infamous for its disastrous thinking. It creates clear images of the worst possibilities, making us feel that trouble is imminent. We might picture losing our job, getting an illness, or facing some other awful situation. Please predictions only increase sphere and anxiety, and hinder our ability to appreciate the here and now.

Philippians 4:6-7 gives us a powerful antidote to just thinking. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, And the peace of God, with transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

This scripture urges us to walk worry for prayer and thankfulness. Focusing on our advantages and trusting our concerns to God. He promises to fill us with peace that surpasses all understanding. This isn’t merely a sensation. It’s a heavenly human of our mind and spirit.

When I began dealing with my anxiety, I did a simple thing every day. I listed three things I was thankful for. Shared my feelings with God and asked for His direction and peace to rule in my heart. When worries arose, I purposely swap them with thankful prayers and faith.

• Lie #5 I can’t handle this: Anxiety to make us feel overwhelmed, and unable to cope with life challenges. We feel in adequate, helpless, and powerless. Many times of my life I have thought “I am not strong enough to face this, or I can’t cope with this much stress.” These feelings of an inadequacy can paralyze us and prevent us from taking action and moving forward.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. God’s favor is enough to support us during any hardship. He doesn’t anticipate us to handle anything on our own. He wants us to depend on His power, which is perfected in our struggles.

We have to accept our limitations and be open about our weaknesses. When we feel burdened, remember that God can overcome our difficulties. We can seek His strength and direction.

I learned to divide big jobs into small, easier ones. Enjoy small wins, and accept help when needed.

• Lie #6: This feeling will last forever: anxieties for tactic is making us believe that suffering is permanent. This creates helplessness, leaving us, feeling stuck in our unhappiness. It can lead to despondency and block any attempt to get help or answers.

Lamentations 3:22-23 gives us a powerful message of hope, “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” God’s affection and mercy are constant and limitless. His goodness is refreshed daily, providing us with a new start and revived optimism. Even during hard times, God’s reliability endures.

We should take time to identify the specific lies that anxiety speaks to us then we can find biblical truth to fight back. When negative thoughtsoverwhelm us, we can intentionally swap them for these truths. Memorize a few of God’s promises, pray and surround ourselves with like minded fellow believers.