“Do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:27 NIV)
I hate to even admit it, but I woke up in a panic this morning. Sometimes that’s the way I arrive at home after a far-away trip; the reality of regular life comes washing in and I am afraid of washing away with the tide. I had to pause and remind myself to identify the author of those first morning thoughts. Fear isn’t from God. Nope, fear is cultivated from the other side.
I saw it firsthand at the Temple Pan. We traipsed through the woods to the ancient cave carved into the side of a mountain where false gods gathered fear-filled people. Who wouldn’t be afraid of a god who demands babies to be thrown in pits to appease him? Fear is an appetite un-ending, a hunger never satisfied. That’s the agenda of our enemy: placing panic in the hearts of men.
When will I learn to acknowledge the author by his fruit? Panic, fear and anxiety are the trademarks thoughts of our enemy. On the other hand, redemption, relationship and peace are the thoughts of God above. We must learn to identify the nature of our thoughts, rejecting the falsities and embracing the truth. We replace thoughts of “I’m not enough” or “Maybe I’m not cut out for this” with the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
“For you created my inmost being; knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together
in the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 139:14-16 N iIV)
Another pastor on our pilgrimage pointed it out to me: how our guide had taught us “Notice the mosaics. The smaller the stone, the more intricate the pattern, the more expensive the work.” We spent hours walking over ancient, elaborate designs pieced together as fantastic puzzle stone-stories. My new pastor-friend expounded; “The smaller the pieces, the more extravagant the work. Aren’t we fearfully and wonderfully made? Aren’t we a credit to the Artist’s talent and investment?”
I could see what he was saying, our flesh and blood divided down into microscopic cells and DNA strands assembled in divine design. Tiny pieces of life brought together in fantastic formation, creating something far more stunning than a floor or ceiling – brought together as a living, breathing being.
This is how we deal with our ‘less than’ thoughts. When ‘not enough’ comes knocking at our door. We guard our hearts. We recognize the author of our thoughts and reject those that come from the pit. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, our Master’s fingerprints are all over our frames. We discard the lies and embrace the truth of imago dei all over our lives.
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
When I wake up, you are still with me!” (Psalm 139:17 NLT)
“”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
God’s thoughts towards us are good. The enemies thoughts toward us are evil. We can identify the author by the polarity of the thought: good is God, evil is not.
Lord, help us recognize the actual source of our thoughts. Peace is You. Panic is not. Give us strength to guard our hearts and minds, because both life and death burst from its borders. Help us believe that we are dearly and wonderfully made, not accidental or defective. Your mark is on our frames, meaning ultimately, we belong to You. Amen.