Are You Afraid of Life Without Meaning?

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We often deceive ourselves by making up rational--but incorrect-- narratives to explain people, things, actions and problems that trouble us. Why the deception?

Human beings need predictability, consistency: We need to create order. As a result, we will make up stories to give meaning (often incorrect) to people, things, actions, and problems in our efforts to avoid confrontation with meaninglessness--a life without meaning.  

This is why taking full responsibility for what we think, feel, want, and do is a basic concept of the Choice-Cube® Method. A person, thing, action, or problem may indeed trigger certain reactions. However, our reactions are always due to the meaning (correct or otherwise) given to a person, thing, action, or problem. 

Self-deception is often a fight against meaninglessness, and though important for self-understanding, fear of meaninglessness is seldom addressed in psychology. In contrast, creating meaning is of first importance for most philosophies and religions.  

For example, Existential philosophy gave up trying to bring order out of chaos. Paradoxically, they found meaning in accepting “meaningless” as THE structure of reality. The result was that both life and death lost their meaning and direction. Thus for many existentialists, the answer to life and death issues in a  world devoid of meaning was suicide. 

Generally, religion gives a more positive structure and meaning to both life and death. Christianity in particular, gives a positive meaning to both. Christianity suggests that life is a challenge to overcome difficulties and to remain positive in all circumstances. Death in fact, is the “last enemy to be overcome, destroyed, done away with.”  (1 Corinthians 15:26) 

The following scripture from Philippians sums up this perspective quite nicely.  

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice…  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God… And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things… Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content… I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me… But I have all, and abound: I am full... my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-19).

Research shows that this approach to life brings life with it. Those who manage to be genuine overcomers of themselves and life’s problems live longer and with greater joy and purpose.  

What about you? Are you an overcomer finding meaning in your faith? Or are you aware of blockages in your life keeping you stuck, failing to overcome obstacles and struggling with meaninglessness?  You might consider looking at how the 4 Scriptural Steps of the Choice-Cube® Method  help you take responsibility for your reactions, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, find meaning in your daily in the light of God’s Word and will.

Unseen Forces Are Negatively Affecting Your Life

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Unseen forces are negatively affecting your life and mine. Two powerful forces, the “spirit of this world” and our unconscious, deeply affect what we think, feel, want, and do.

Scripture says about the “spirit of this world” For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.(Ephesians 6: 12  (KJV) We’re in a battle for our life!

Regarding the unconscious, we are born hard-wired with a desire to survive, whatever the cost. The Bible describes this a being “born dead in trespasses and sin" (Ephesians 2:1). When we are in this state, we will, mindlessly and automatically, do whatever we believe necessary to AVOID or CONTROL/POSSESS whatever threatens our sense of safety and pleasure. 

But thanks be to God there is a third alternative. In contrast to domination by the spirit of this world or by our unconscious, we can stay conscious and aware and try to RESOLVE the issue “win-win” with honesty and compassion and the power of the Holy Spirit.

With this third alternative, we overcome our desire to AVOID or to CONTROL a troubling person, thing, action, or problem. We are willing, if not eager, to seek the whole truth with compassion for others and ourselves in our effort to RESOLVE the issue.

The Third Alternative is not second nature to us. It must be learned and practiced. Step by step we learn to confront the fears and lusts that would keep us stuck trying to AVOID or to CONTROL people, things, and problems. 

So what are these steps? Universal and eternal, they are always the same.

Confess -- Manage my body stress and my desire to AVOID and CONTROL

Repent -- Interrupt and release the emotions driving my desire to AVOID or to CONTROL                                                  so that I can do something different—move in a different direction.

See Garbage and God’s Grace -- I open my mind to the whole truth with compassion for others  and myself. Then I can choose to focus on resolving the issue win-win.

Take Action God’s Way in God’s Time -- Having seen the big picture and choosing to focus on doing God’s will, I line up my will with his and take action in line with his Word. 

 To help us take these steps, we have both spiritual weapons and weapons of the body and soul (thoughts, emotions, desires). The Choice-Cube offers weapons--tools and techniques--to manage our body, emotions, mind, and will--our soul so that we can stay aware, compassionate, and in touch with the Holy Spirit. Using these tools, we can take these steps anytime, anywhere.

2014 Choice-Cube Publications LLC. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License Reproduction. Copying or redistribution is encouraged provided the attribution Choice-Cube Publications is preserved. http:www.choicecube.com

Despairing? One Solution

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These are difficult times. Do you sometimes wish for a power greater than yourself to help you through a bad spell? I do. I feel this strongly when I pray for:  the suffering in the Middle East, our wounded troops, the persecuted church, America, and President Obama. 

Angels to the rescue. Though I am Christian, you don't have to be Christian to believe in angels. Also, you may be interested in what Christianity teaches about them.

Let's take a look at what Scripture has to say about angels, starting with the fact that we can call upon innumerable numbers of them for innumerable tasks.  

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and  the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousand” Revelation 5:11  

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”Matthew 18:10

Angels, commanded by God, are ready to do all manner of things for us, if we only ask. When we cannot see our way clear, we can call upon God’s angels for: 

 FOR SALVATION  

“He ascends the heights, leading many captives in his train… even those who once were rebels.”   Psalm 68:18 (TLB)  

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people”   Revelation 14:5 (NKJV)

FOR THE CARE OF “LITTLE ONES” WHO’S ANGELS ARE ALWAYS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”Matthew 18:10

“For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Luke 4:10, Psalm 119: 11

FOR PROTECTION SPECIFICALLY

“Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Jesus is speaking here, but the same way he could protect Jesus, you can protect his other children)) Matthew 26:53

FOR MAKING THINGS KNOWN TO US 

“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15

“When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.” Luke 24:23

“And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.  And they said unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou?” John 20:12-14

“... You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.” Acts 7:  52-54 (NLT)

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.”ARevelations 17: 1

Who’s In Charge: Flesh Or Spirit?

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Does the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit—live in you, giving life to your human body and preparing you for the transition from the “person of flesh” to the “person of spirit?”

If not, please consider that no matter how hard you try to be good, to do the right thing, to keep the law… without the Holy Spirit living in you to strengthen and empower you, you will never fully break free of your flesh and its demands.

The law can never create the “spirit person,” bringing you to immortality, because the law will keep you tied to your body and to the things of earth. (That is not to suggest that you ignore or disobey the law. No, simply realize that the law cannot bring you to the fullness of who God created you to be.) 

Our faith insists that the Holy Spirit live in you to help you put off of the “old” and put on the “new,” a process that ends with the resurrection of your body.

Think of it this way. As with all living things, the final life-product differs from the original seed of life. This is true whether focusing on a fully developed head of wheat that comes from a seed of wheat, a tadpole, or an adult who comes from the seeds of a man and woman. 

We all come to this earth in a “natural body” of flesh and blood and hopefully grow to adult hood. But we are not finished! The final goal is to receive our spiritual body—our glorified body. Born in a natural body of in fear and weakness, we are finally raised in a spiritual body of glory and power.  

The Bible promises, “And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit… And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1 Corinthians 9: 45-49). Hallelujah! 

Furthermore, when finally we drop off our flesh and are transform into spirit, that which is mortal and subject to death puts on immortality, “…death will be swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 9:54).

Here’s the joyful cry. “But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”   (1 Corinthians 15: 54-56).

Note however, the scripture continues, pointing out the problem with keeping the law. “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”  (1 Corinthians 15: 57).

The law can never bring us to immortality. Again, try as we may to be good, do the right thing, keep the law… without the Holy Spirit living in us to strengthen and empower us, we can’t break free of our flesh and its demands. So, how’s your relationship with the Holy Spirit?

2014 Choice-Cube Publications LLC. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License Reproduction. Copying or redistribution is encouraged provided the attribution Choice-Cube  Publications is preserved.  http:www.choicecube.com