Some people might take it as being old-fashioned (which I am... old hymns, old country music, old style dresses, old ways of doing laundry... they all rather fascinate and intrigue me!)
But honestly, I mean it as a Friendly Warning. I warning that becoming too obsessed with the things of this world causes consequences. And not just consequences that make "sense".
For example, if you are All Hung Up on your appearance (which I can be from time to time), there can be obvious consequences like be poor body image,, depression, anxiety, etc. But not-so-obvious ones would be feeling a strain in your relationship with God, living a hectic life (instead of the peace God offers), and feeling completely unsatisfied and empty.
I can become so frustrated with the world. It's so Easy (and some people would say Cliché) to say, "Jesus is the answer... just pray about it." If I was the one struggling, I know I'd get tired of hearing that.
But it's the Truth. Then why isn't is "working" in the lives of my friends who hate themselves, are depressed, are frustrated with life, etc??
It IS true that Jesus is the Answer and that Prayer is the Key. No amount of counseling (however good it is) can ever truly, completely, totally FREE you from emotional, mental, physical, and honestly Spiritual, bondage.
This is a quote from a survivor of Sex Trafficking:
Do you have what it takes to set me free? Can you heal my broken body?
Can you bring peace to the mental torment and memories? Can you stop
me from having the nightmares? Can you personally protect me from my
traffickers finding me and coming after me?
Because if you can only physically free someone, but you do not have what it takes to bring them out of the mental and spiritual and even physical torment, then what? ...... For many years, I looked to man – to kind, benevolent, well-meaning, good-hearted people to help free me from the HELL I still lived in for years after escaping. And NONE of them had anything to offer other than human sympathy and friendship at best. While good, these things were NEVER going to have the power to break the chains still wrapped around my heart, mind and body....... I cannot overstate the firm belief I have in prayer to set people free.
Prayer to the God who sits enthroned on high. He is the ONLY one
with the power to free me from these unseen chains. And it is our humble
acknowledgment, through prayer, of His supreme, yet loving power that moves His heart to act.
And this is not just simply my opinion; it is my experience.
You see, this isn't just a quick "prayer" everyday, saying "Please set me free, Jesus"~while those prayers are necessary, I find they don't always carry me through. Most of the time, I just need to sit at Jesus' feet. Pray about my problems, yes... but also pray for my family and friends, pray and praise Him, read His Words EVERY SINGLE DAY, and pursuing a passionate, vibrant, alive relationship with Him. You can't only need Him when things are tough... you must be in constant communication with Him throughout all of your life!
Not that we won't fail... I do. The first several days in Brasil I rather floated on busyness to carry me through. I didn't spend my quiet time like I should have. Praise the Lord, I have gotten back to it! =)
Right now I am reading "Get Lost" by Dannah Gresh, and taking the 10-day challenge. OH, I HIGHLY recommend this for each of you ladies! (Sorry, if guys are reading this... you also need to be passionate about your faith walk, but I don't think this book will help you. It's a little girly;)
But, it's not a magic cure-all formula. You must apply yourself for a good amount of time each day. And then, you must live the rest of your day in tune with God's Spirit (as we all should every day :)
Is it hard work? Yes, but anything (including an amazing relationship with Christ!) is hard work. Don't be lazy. Don't be selfish. Take the challenge of truly loving Jesus, and living for Him.
Living for Him in choices...
(like getting up 20 minutes earlier in the morning so that First Thing you can spend time with Him, and let Him set the tone for your day)
Living for Him in lifestyle...
(like choosing to watch movies or listen to songs that honor the Lord and His standards and morals in the Bible, instead of ones that treat sex, modesty, truthfulness, integrity, etc. like trash)
Living for Him isn't a feeling (Boy, do I know That truth well!) You cannot base it on feelings. You must base it on choice. What choice will you make?
(And it's easy to say "I choose Jesus!" ... very easy.
Do you really mean it?
Because if you do, and you truly fix your eyes on Him, your life won't magically become perfect, but you will reap what you sow. If you sow peace, joy, contentment, etc, you Will reap it! (Galatians 6:7) And reaping peace, joy, and contentment will mean that there won't be room for depression, anxiety, pride, and selfishness to grow. And if those weeds do spring up, you will be able to up-root them quickly.
Don't give up... press on towards the goal!!! (And don't do it in your own strength (Galatians 3:3), but in Christ's! (