Ignorance Is NOT Bliss....

Why is it easier to stick our head in the sand and ignore the reality of what's going on right in front of us?  There are usually a variety of reasons and concerns to this question, however, I believe the real reason lies within Genesis chapter three, specifically verses 8-11. 

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"  He said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked ;so I hid myself." And He said, "Who told you that you were naked ? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat ?"

It boils down to sin nature!  The serpent knew exactly what he was doing and how thousands of years later we would still struggle with facing issues that make us uncomfortable.  It's much easier to continue to sweep it under the rug, blame someone else, ignore the issue at hand fooling yourself: it's not that bad. 

The past several years since my diagnosis of ptsd (post traumatic stress disorder) and panic/anxiety I have fought earnestly to pull everything out from under the rug. I work daily at not putting anything back.  Sometimes it's a struggle, but I also know the power and beauty of living a life of freedom. I am no longer bound by the fear, that whether you want it or not, accompanies intentional ignorance and putting things under the rug.  While facing things that make me uncomfortable is still not an easy or desirable task, I now know the difference.  I have tasted and seen and no longer desire the constant bitter taste that I once became accustomed to.  

This freedom is available to you as well.  We must first acknowledge and slowly begin to pull everything out that we worked so hard to shove under the rug.  It's not about blaming anyone or heaping guilt upon yourself. It's merely an exercise of acknowledgment.  Once you start to do this then you can move into deeper areas; the root cause....what was really going on that caused you to put it under the rug or ignore in the first place. From there you begin the heart work of not allowing yourself to get back into your comfort zone of ignorance and hiding.This is also a faith issue. We must hold tight that we know God WILL use all things for His glory. 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28 

Once we begin to see that ignorance and hiding are a tool of the enemy to keep us in bondage, something he started with Adam and Eve, we can begin to work at not falling into his trap.  

Live your life with HOPE. It's time to stop living in guilt, shame, and fear.  Embrace the freedom Christ has given us to face whatever lies in front of us, no matter the significance of the situation, nor the size or complication or even the consequences.  We are promised we are not alone!

  

He Himself has said, "I will never desert you nor will I forsake you," so that we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what will man do to me? " Hebrews 13:5-6

31 Days of Hope Day 15

Welcome to our half way mark!  On this day we wanted to give you a glimpse into what the other 31 Days bloggers are writing and share some of our favorite highlights from each others blogs. (I am doing this earlier, due to our vacation. I have taken time to schedule my blogs so that I would not miss out on sharing with you! There may be something posted more currently that I will LOVE more than what I am going to share now...if that is the case, I promise you I will add that when I return).

As I was looking back over the other 31 Days blogs, I confess it was hard to pick highlights. Everything is encouraging, helpful, and engaging! I feel honored and extremely blessed to be a part of this team.  These woman are truly Godly women who are pouring their hearts into their writing.  They have been prayerful about every topic and word that goes out.

I hope you enjoy highlights I picked!  I encourage you to go back to each blog and read their full entry, (if you haven't read it already). I added my comment at the end in bold. 

31 Days of Freedom (www.ParentPassion.com) Jennifer Laine. 

Day 8

Freedom comes at a price and sometimes we do not accurately calculate that price so when it’s time to pay, we want to back out.  Turn around – and forget it because the price is too high.  Just like the Israelites their expectations on freedom were not realistic they wanted it to be easy and comfortable.  When they were challenged they complained and whined and were ready to go back to SLAVERY.  Wow – they wanted slavery over freedom!?!

Often times when we walk out of bondage, we have a period of time when we feel uncomfortable and even scared because we are in uncharted territory.  What was miserable was also familiar and in a sick kind of way – comfortable.  Many times people give up on freedom and go back to slavery and defeat simply for comfort and ease.  If the Israelites knew where God was planning on taking them, they would not have doubted that their new found freedom was a good thing.

From this example I have learned two things:

1) Freedom comes at a price – but it is worth the price.

2) God does not always bring us freedom the way we expect, therefore, we must not doubt him if he takes us through the desert before we get to the promised land."

I loved this particular blog because I get it!  I understand the feeling of feeling comfortable in bondage. Praise the Lord I no longer settle for that!

31 Days of Love (www.Beckahshae.com) Beckah Shae (Beckah hasn't been able to join us regularly, however, I wanted to share one of my favorite songs from her) 

Surrender ( click to listen to song)

All to You, I surrender.
All to You, I freely give.
I will ever, love and trust You.
In Your presence daily live.
I’m giving up but not giving in.
Fought long enough, I don’t need to win.
Oh so broken
Finally I give all control,
Here at your feet I’m letting go.
Oh so broken
You gave your life for me to know, you always!
All that I have, is my confidence in your grace!

I Surrender, I Surrender

No matter how strange, it looks to them.
No matter the cost, or how painful it gets.
I’m drawing my battle line in the sand,
Marching forward, determined to give you all I can.
In You I declare victory!
Since I’ve let go of my own will.
Now freedom and liberty, reign in me!

I love the lyrics to this song. It's something I need daily reminders of...to surrender to Christ's will and not my flesh

31 Days of Purpose (www.sojourneroftruth.blogspot.com) Carla Hendricks

Day 5

The elephant I'm talking about isn't sin, although sin is quite rampant in our society and our churches. I'm talking about Christians giving up on life and giving up on God. It's all around us. Think about all the people you know that have checked out on church, their families and everything that they were living for just a year ago. If you don't have anyone in your life like this, let me give you a few examples.

* The pastor and pastor's wife that live in the same household, but, practically speaking, ended their marriage years ago

* The young woman who has taken medication, gone to Christian treatment centers, had much counseling, and still struggles to live a healthy Christian life

* The friend whose disappointments in life and confusion over God's will and direction have her at the crossroads of walking away from God altogether

* The family member that called to say he was ending his life -- today*

And the list goes on and on.

Tears are flowing from my eyes right now as I ponder each of these situations. Everything in me wants to do something, but I don't know what to do. All I know to do is pray for these folks. And pray I have. But we've got to become a collective force as the Body of Christ. We've got to intercede for the hurting folks in our lives. We've got to call them, visit them, love them with everything in our being.

Carla is so right!  So often we ignore or justify sin. We do not know what to do so we don't do anything.  As Carla points out we can pray, we can call or visit. We don't have to solve their problems, however, if we allow ourselves to take off our mask, risk being real, and encourage those around us, you never know what a difference that could make in someones life.  

31 Days of Victory (www.Moniquezackery.blogspot.com) Monique Zackery

Day 5

Let’s look at it this way: Have you ever heard a child get upset with their sibling and say, “Oh yeah? Well you’re not my brother anymore… ”? It sounds funny because we all know that there is nothing that child can do, in all of their frustration, to change the fact that their brother is still their brother. But it’s even more comical when the other sibling becomes upset about the accusation of losing his place as a brother. Why be upset over something that isn’t true?

It’s the same with our enemy. In his tantrum, he accuses us day and night of losing our position, security and identity in Christ. But nothing can separate us from what God has promised to be true for His children! Remember that God’s truth will always withstand satan’s accusations.

As a visual learner I love word pictures.  The picture that Monique painted with her words describing the brothers argument is so real I could see it!  It also helped me to understand, in a deeper way, how silly it is to believe the lies that the enemy tries to plant in my head and heart on a daily basis. Next time I hear a whisper or lie from the enemy, I will remember the brothers argument and simply smile and focus more on God's truth!

31 Days of Wellness; Mind, Body, Spirit (www.chelled.blogspot.com) Michelle Discavage

Day...Are you Walking in Freedom or Bondage 

We can be delivered, but we must choose it.  We must choose to get up, shake off the dirt, turn from our course leading to destruction, and walk confidently in the path set before us by Christ.  We do not need to sit and wallow in the muck of our miseries, and remain where we are.  We can get up and move.  We do not even have to sit and beat ourselves over the head, speaking words of condemnation and shame.  No, not at all.  Romans 8:1-4 says, " Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

We can choose wellness, we can choose to feed our spirit rather than our flesh.  We can choose good nutrition that will feed and maintain our bodies rather than foods that will destroy it.  We can because Jesus did.  We can attain and sustain wellness by choosing Christ, and Christ alone  Choose Him over the desires of the flesh.  Choose that which gives life over that which destroys.

Oh, how I miss Michelle!  She and her family lived in Tn and they went to our church.  She also led our Women's Ministry exercise class.  She always worked us hard in that class and the same time she also encouraged us.  She has a way about her that challenges you, but inspires you, all at the same time.  What I loved about this post was how she points out we can change, but it's a choice.  The choice is ours.  We can stay where we are or we can do something about it. She knows first hand the struggle with the flesh.  She also knows the victory of wellness!