When R.H.Schuller was growing up, drought ravaged their family farm. They prayed for rain that never came. His Dad, who normally harvested 100 wagon loads of corn, reaped only half a wagon full. Schuller says, “I’ll never forget it. His calloused hands holding ours as he looked up and prayed, ‘Thank you Lord, I’ve lost nothing. I’ve regained all the seed I planted in spring.’ While other farmers were saying, ‘We lost 90 or 100 loads,’ my father told me, ‘Never count the might-have-beens or you will be defeated. Never look at what you have lost, only look at what you have left.’ ” 1

Many of you have lost much financially this year.  I challenge you to remove your focus from what you’ve lost –so you will not be defeated– and focus on every incredible good that you still have in life, be it health, a home, family, friends, past victories, dreams for the future. Be undefeated!  Keep a grateful focus on what you still have!

1 word4U2day

We each want a clear path to our destinies; do you succumb to discouragement and doubt when you are unable to see the full path, or when people and situations keep saying, “It won’t happen!”?

First, it is necessary to be clear about your destiny.

Know your life’s purpose. Along life’s journey to fulfill that destiny, you have a wide variety of needs or goals you desire to reach, such as better health, more successful relationships or communication, freedom from debt, or career changes. These goals are important steps in fulfilling your destiny and the person you are meant to be. To avoid being swayed by doubts or opposition, you must first “know that you know” in your heart what your purpose for being is.

Second, you must determine to believe in your destiny.

No one else can believe it for you – a spouse or a parent – if you are going to withstand disappointments or setbacks. If you believe that this certain path or accomplishment truly is your destiny, then keep in mind during setbacks or opposition that you will get there! It was meant to be; it was destined or planned before you were born.

In the spiritual realm, the truth is similar. In Psalm 139, God says that all of your days (and those of every other person) were planned out and written about before you lived a single day. You have a destiny. And, it is a matter of believing or of “faith” in God’s promises and His power to overcome obstacles or opposition to your destiny, as well as to provide wisdom and opportunities to fulfill the goals along the way. Because you know your destiny is His plan, because you have faith that He keeps His promise to help you, you are unwavering and unmovable in your journey to your destiny. Now back to our opening title.

Here are two illustrations on why you do not let what you see destroy what you believe with regard to your destiny.

Oxygen is necessary for your every breath, but you do not see it at all. You do not go around in a panic every moment of the day, fearing that you are going to suffocate, just because you do not have scientific proof in front of you that there is enough oxygen in the air to sustain your life. You go about your day in “faith” that all the oxygen you need and more is there to sustain you.

In the same way, though you may not see the full path to your destiny or see the results of the promises of God in your life yet, it does not mean that the path to your dreams is a product of your imagination; nor does it mean that the power of God is not working behind the scenes in your behalf just because you do not yet see the proof. Continue to go about your day in “faith,” listening for wisdom and looking for opportunities.

The next illustration is not my own. I read it in the book footnoted below, but it is such an incredible illustration that I wanted to share it with you. He says to picture watching a magician saw his assistant in half. You see the person’s head out one end of the box and her feet out of the other. You see the magician cut her in half and separate the boxes, yet her head and feet are still moving. You did not believe for a moment that she was really cut it half, even though you saw it with your own eyes. It appeared to be reality but you knew it was not. You could not explain it, but you still refused to believe what you saw with your own eyes. (1)

When it appears that you will not reach your destiny, that God has failed you, that He is not keeping His promises to help you — when you are tempted to put your faith in what you see – do not do it! You know your purpose! Be determined to believe in your destiny and refuse to believe your eyes if necessary.

1. Faith to Faith, April 29 post.

The terms may vary at different points in history, but visualization is a healthy, effective concept that has been used for achieving one’s personal destiny for 1000?s of years. Whether you call it dreaming, vision casting, or the current term of visualization, creating mental images of your dreams and goals is a technique emphasized now by life coaches and other career experts.  Scores of people have turned their lives around from points of sickness, destitution, and failure to health,  financial progress, and successful careers.

I came across a quote this week by Pablo Picasso, “Everything you can imagine is real.”

I thought it was very fitting to this concept. What you imagine, dream, or visualize may not be tangible (where you can touch it or see it) at the present moment, but imagining or visualizing can make that dream tangible. Jesus spoke a similar concept in Mk. 11:23,

I most certainly tell you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he will have whatever he says. (WEB)

Notice two things: Jesus said this is “absolutely” a true concept when He said, “I most certainly tell you…” and second, if a person believes that what he is saying is actually happening, such as moving a mountain, he would definitely be visualizing it before saying something with such an extreme level of belief. He would have to be seeing it as already done in his mind to speak it and believe it done with such confidence. Jesus said the result is then that you will have what you have said.

Visualization is often associated with various philosophies, such as the Law of Attraction, yet most people are unaware that it is a scriptural principle that was personally recommended by God to Abram.

Abram, whose name God later changed name to Abraham (meaning Father of Nations), was waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise to him that he would have descendents. When Abraham was about 75 years old, God spoke this promise to him,

I will make you into a great nation…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Gen. 12:2,3

At that time, Abraham did not have any children at all, and 10 years later, he was 85, still childless, and experiencing doubt with regard to the fulfillment of God’s promise, which was also Abraham’s personal dream. He said to God, “What can You give me since I am going to die childless? (Gen. 15:2)” God’s response to Abraham giving up on his personal dream and the promise of God to him was instruction on visualization. See it in this quote:

Then God brought Abram outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And God said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Gen. 15:5,6

Visualization allowed even Abraham, the father of many nations and faiths, to receive his personal dream and the promise of God.

It was not until God gave Abraham a visual picture of how many descendents he would have that he could believe God for those descendents. As we can now see, nations literally did come from a man who had been unable to have children his whole life after visualization made him believe the dream and promise.

What are you visualizing for your life at the present?

Are you visualizing only your problems and disappointments or are you visualizing your dreams and the promises of God for your life. Visualize your dreams and the promises of God to you until you can speak with such confidence about them because you will “have whatever you say.”

Fear or anxiety left undealt with can quickly destroy one’s quality of life, causing lack of sleep, lowering of productivity on the job, stress in relationships, poor decision making, and countless physical ailments. 

This past Christmas, we gave out several copies of a book on the topic of overcoming fear to several co-workers. There were two different issues of the book, one dealing with the life fears of the average person, the other dealing with the additional fears particular to the family members of those in the military.  We received incredible feedback, to the extent that co-workers came looking for copies to give to family and friends.  The book had an unusual format, using Psalm 91 to go line by line through various life fears.  I had not particularly noticed before how many types of fears are dealt with in this Psalm.  The focus on One more powerful and knowledgeable than yourself can be a major source of comfort and strength in times of fear.

Guarding the content of your words is a necessary aid to controlling your fearful thoughts.

In past posts, I have covered how your words affect your thoughts and your body’s physical responses, as well as how to break the negative word habit by learning to speak positive words.  I’ll put some links to a few of these past articles at the end of this post (See below**) 

One of our co-workers mentioned that she has greatly benefited from quoting out loud various phrases from Psalm 91 over situations in her day-to-day life.  Since Psalm 91 does cover a vast number of life fears, I am pasting here excerpts in a few different translations which, as you will see, will be helpful to speak out loud and assist you in controlling your thoughts and conquering your fears.  The pronouns are changed to first person to also assist you in using the phrases for positive speaking. Some portions are bolded or underlined for emphasis.

Psalm 91  Amplified Version

     ¹ Because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, I will remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand.

     ² I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust!

    ³ For He will deliver me from the snare of the fowler [one who pursues and kills] and from the deadly pestilence.

    ⁴ He will cover me with His pinions, and under His wings will I trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler [means of protection].

    ⁵ I will not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the evil plots and slanders of the wicked that flies by day,

    ⁶ Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

    ⁷ A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me.

    ⁸ Only a spectator I will be, inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High as I witness the reward of the wicked.

    ⁹ Because I have made the Lord my refuge, and the Most High my dwelling place,

    ¹⁰ No evil befalls me, nor any plague or calamity comes near my dwelling.

    ¹¹ For He will give His angels special charge over me to accompany and defend and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service.

    ¹² They shall bear me up on their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone.

    ¹³ I will tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent will I trample underfoot. [Any seemingly powerful or dangerous thing in my path is rendered powerless.]

     ^{14 “}Because you has set your love upon Me, therefore will I deliver you; I will set you on high, because you know and understand My name, have a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake you, no, never.

    ¹⁵  You will call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you and honor you.

    ¹⁶ I will give you a satisfying long life and show you My salvation [deliverance].

Psalm 91 Message Translation Excerpts

He rescues me from hidden traps, shields me from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect me — under them I am perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing…not disease…not disaster… no harm will even graze me.  I will stand untouched, watching it all from a distance…“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble.  I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.  Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you…

Psalm 91  New Century Version

  ^10-16 Nothing bad will happen to you; no disaster will come to your home.  The Lord says, “Whoever loves me, I will save.  I will protect those who know me.  You will call to me, and I will answer you.  I will be with you in trouble; I will rescue you and honor you.  I will give you a long, full life, and you will see how I can save.”

**Related Posts

Healing Words

Determine Your Destiny  Though this is not on the topic of fear, it reveals how words affect your whole life process.

Take Charge of Your Thoughts, Take Charge of Your Life!

Practical Ideas for Overcoming Fear

In this field of work, I come across many people in emotional pain created by a wide variety of circumstances.  Each of us, at some point during life, go through periods when we feel oppressed, almost crushed by the weight of the circumstances.  In Scripture, Paul talked about his feelings in such circumstances,

We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, yet not destroyed. (2Cor.4:8)

Since we each face “crushing” circumstances at times, it would definitely be beneficial to be able to go through them as Paul did, not denying the gravity of the situation, but not allowing the situation to destroy him emotionally. Paul’s faith, or hope, kept him from losing heart in trying times.  Faith is defined in Scripture as not only believing God exists, but that He responds positively to those who seek Him. (Heb.11:6)

It is knowledge of the nature of God that gives one hope during times of brokenness or oppression.

It is the difference between knowing without a doubt that someone cares about you and what is taking place, especially Someone with greater abilities and resources, as opposed to feeling there is no one to care at all.  Jesus purpose while on earth, other than the plan of salvation, was to illustrate in living form the nature of God to us.  Listen to this quote of how He did that:

Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with strength and ability and power…went about doing good curing all who were harassed and oppressed. (Acts10:38 Amp)

Jesus both illustrated the nature of God to bring us out of oppressing circumstances and broken hearts, but proclaimed it to be a part of God’s nature.

This is a quote of Jesus speaking to those who are broken hearted, oppressed, and crushed by calamity:

Father God has anointed Me to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed, who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity, to proclaim the year of the Lord, the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound. (Lk.4:18,19)

Notice a couple of points from this quote:

 -It is God’s desire to help you and bring you out of that hurtful situation, ie. “send forth as delivered”

 -God wants you to not try to handle the hurt yourself, but look to Him for help, as is meant by the references to God’s intervention, “year of the Lord,” and the “day of salvation.”

 -The type of help God wants to give you is not minimal, but “profusely abounding,” or more than you would expect to receive.

Researching a few definitions brings an even greater realization of how personally involved God wants to be in your circumstance.

I decided, for my own benefit, to look up the definitions of certain words in the Greek, since this passage was originally written in Greek.  The term “year of the Lord” actually means “a whole new age (1).”  Through Jesus, God proclaimed a whole new age of His involvement in your life.  What is this involvement like? 

First, it is continuous.  The Greek word for day in this passage means, “perpetually present,” or continuously present. In this whole new age, God’s help is continuously present to deliver you, and bring you profuse salvation and free favors.

Second, the word for salvation includes deliverance, provision, rescue, aid (1).  God’s perpetually present help brings you whatever you need in your oppression and broken heartedness.

Third, though many people who seek after God still struggle with the question of whether or not God will help them or whether they can possible earn His help, the phrase “free favors” is defined as unmerited gifts (1)!  No, you do not need to struggle under condemnation feeling that you must try to earn God’s help and still fall short; God has proclaimed to you that the help in your crushing circumstance is an unearned gift!

Let’s look at a paraphrase of this quote, including the Greek definitions:

Father God has anointed Me to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed, who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity, to proclaim to you the whole new age of the Lord, the perpetually present time when salvation – deliverance, provision, rescue, aid — and unmerited gifts from God profusely abound.

You can be free from emotional harm though dealing with life’s oppressive circumstances. 

Hope is there for you, as it was for Paul, to be hard pressed, yet not crushed, not in despair.  The realization that God, through Jesus, announced a whole new age of God’s continual offer of profuse unearned gifts, deliverance, provision, rescue, and aid for you!  Believe His offer!  Ask Him for what you need in your circumstance!  Look for the answers with expectancy!

1. Strong’s Dictionary of Greek New Testament Words

How firmly do you hold to the vision of your destiny when circumstances appear to be working against you?

We each want a clear path to our destinies; do you succumb to discouragement and doubt when you are unable to see the full path, or when people and situations keep saying, “It won’t happen!”?

First, it is necessary to be clear about your destiny.

Know your life’s purpose. Along life’s journey to fulfill that destiny, you have a wide variety of needs or goals you desire to reach, such as better health, more successful relationships or communication, freedom from debt, or career changes. These goals are important steps in fulfilling your destiny and the person you are meant to be. To avoid being swayed by doubts or opposition, you must first “know that you know” in your heart what your purpose for being is.

Second, you must determine to believe in your destiny.

No one else can believe it for you – a spouse or a parent – if you are going to withstand disappointments or setbacks. If you believe that this certain path or accomplishment truly is your destiny, then keep in mind during setbacks or opposition that you will get there! It was meant to be; it was destined or planned before you were born.

In the spiritual realm, the truth is similar. In Psalm 139, God says that all of your days (and those of every other person) were planned out and written about before you lived a single day. You have a destiny. And, it is a matter of believing or of “faith” in God’s promises and His power to overcome obstacles or opposition to your destiny, as well as to provide wisdom and opportunities to fulfill the goals along the way. Because you know your destiny is His plan, because you have faith that He keeps His promise to help you, you are unwavering and unmovable in your journey to your destiny. Now back to our opening title.

Here are two illustrations on why you do not let what you see destroy what you believe with regard to your destiny.

Oxygen is necessary for your every breath, but you do not see it at all. You do not go around in a panic every moment of the day, fearing that you are going to suffocate, just because you do not have scientific proof in front of you that there is enough oxygen in the air to sustain your life. You go about your day in “faith” that all the oxygen you need and more is there to sustain you.

In the same way, though you may not see the full path to your destiny or see the results of the promises of God in your life yet, it does not mean that the path to your dreams is a product of your imagination; nor does it mean that the power of God is not working behind the scenes in your behalf just because you do not yet see the proof. Continue to go about your day in “faith,” listening for wisdom and looking for opportunities.

The next illustration is not my own. I read it in the book footnoted below, but it is such an incredible illustration that I wanted to share it with you. He says to picture watching a magician saw someone in half. You see the person’s head out one end of the box and her feet out of the other. You see the magician cut her in half and separate the boxes, yet her head and feet are still moving. You did not believe for a moment that she was really cut it half, even though you saw it with your own eyes. It appeared to be reality but you knew it was not. You could not explain it, but you still refused to believe what you saw with your own eyes. (1)

When it appears that you will not reach your destiny, that God has failed you, that He is not keeping His promises to help you — when you are tempted to put your faith in what you see – do not do it! You know your purpose! Be determined to believe in your destiny and refuse to believe your eyes if necessary.

1. Faith to Faith, Kenneth Copeland, April 29 post.

The first step in activating the Law of Abundance is knowing it is God’s plan for you.

To activate the Law of Abundance in the spiritual realm, it must be accomplished through faith. Faith is what activates spiritual laws. Unless you understand that abundance is a spiritual principle and God’s desire for your life, you will not be able to believe, or have faith, to activate it. There are far more passages in Scripture that discuss abundance than would be practical to include here, but I’ll give you a few main quotes that make the spiritual Law of Abundance plain.

I will bring health and healing to my people and let them enjoy abundant peace and security…They will bring me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all who hear of the good things I do for them. People will be in awe and tremble and the abundant prosperity and peace I will provide. Jeremiah 33:9

I will give them all the prosperity I promised them…. I will restore their fortunes. Jeremiah 32:42,44

[Regarding tithes] “Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pest from devouring your crops and the vines will not cast their fruit. All people will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10

All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed. Isaiah 61:9

They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God…Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Isaiah 35:2,5

Realizing why the Law of Abundance in your life is important to other people will increase your faith to activate it.

Obviously, abundance is important to you so that your needs are met. Vast amounts of Scripture verify that God wants your needs met. But it is crucial for the Law of Abundance to be activated in your life for 2 other reasons as well.

First, God desires that you have enough abundance that you are able to give good things to others in need. See these quotes:

I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing (dispensing good to others)…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:2,3

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you are always and under all circumstances and whatever the need, self-sufficient–possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (Amplified)

Second, God desires you to live in abundance so that people will realize that He is good above and beyond what humans are capable of and takes “abundantly” good care of His people. Take careful notice of the phrases referring to this from the first set of quotes in this post:

They will bring me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all who hear of the good things I do for them.

All people will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land.

All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.

They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God

When you realize that the abundance promised from God is not just spiritual, that other people have to see it in the physical world so that they realize it is a blessing on you from God, you then in faith should be able to believe God to do what He promised, bringing visible abundance into your life. Why? Just for selfish purposes? No, so that “all peoples of the earth are blessed through you” and that “renown, joy, praise and honor” go to God because of the abundance He has given you.

Activate the Law of Abundance by acting on your faith now.

One time when I was meditating before God on the principle of faith, He impressed upon me a concept that is often lacking when one wants to act in faith on a promise of God. It is the concept of imminence. Imminence means that something is definitely going to take place and could take place at any moment. It is a concept in Scripture used to refer to the second coming of Christ to the earth. To believe that His return is imminent, is to believe that it is definitely going to take place at any moment.

For you to act on faith with any promise of God, including the Law of Abundance, you must believe that the fulfillment is imminent — that it will definitely take place. I have heard people of great faith say, “The proof of your faith is rest.” There is a great deal of truth to that. If you begin to have faith that God will provide for you the abundance He promises, if you believe that abundance is imminent — will take place at any moment — you will feel at rest, rather than being filled with fear, worry, or doubts. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” Remember that the term for “salvation” in the original Greek is all encompassing to your life, including “deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity, health, welfare, rescue, safety.”

Do not allow religious tradition to tell you that abundance is not God’s will or plan for you now. Confess to yourself and to God that you believe Him when He said that now is the day of your salvation in all those areas listed in the above definition. Activate the Law of Abundance now in your life. Believe now that abundance is imminent because God Himself said that His favor and salvation for you are now.

Readers often ask why they themselves or family members have not received their healing.

Before getting into the main part of today’s post, I want to express some basic points regarding the many questions I receive about a lack of healing. Understand that no one could possibly answer all the questions concerning why a person’s healing did not take place. However, I do not take lightly the fear and discouragement that comes to many people over a lack of healing. It is my desire that no one becomes discouraged or loses heart while seeking God for healing; neither should anyone’s faith be destroyed due to a family member who was not healed.

I’ve posted previous articles on what God says in scripture about His desire for us to be healed. It is not possible for anyone to know all the factors involved in why someone did not receiving healing, especially someone other than the person who is suffering. Rather than trying to explain reasons that no one other than God Himself knows, these articles, instead, are to get our focus on what truth is available to us to know and understand about healing based on what God has expressed in scripture. It is of absolute necessity to both your emotional health and spiritual well-being not to base your understanding, belief, or doctrine of healing on what you or someone else experienced. You cannot know all that has taken place to cause sickness or prevent healing in both the natural and spiritual realms. It is essential that your understanding of healing is based on what God says about His desires and involvement in healing as seen in scripture. Second, one also does not want to be harmed and prevented from receiving healing due to holding on to erroneous religious traditions. This post today is to remove from our minds some of the common misconceptions about healing that have been spread through religious traditions for centuries.

The first common misconception in need of attention is that sickness is a necessity for a believer, that since Jesus suffered on earth, we must suffer with sicknesses.

The quote religious tradition uses to support this idea is 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we suffer with Him [Jesus], we will reign with Him.” Two points are important in removing the misconception from this verse. First, yes, Jesus did suffer on this earth but the suffering was from religious persecution, not from illness or disease. Second, the apostle Paul is the person writing this quote in 2 Timothy and he is also referring to religious persecution, not sickness. Here is the context:

2 Tim.2:9-12 I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we suffer with Him, we will also reign with Him.

A second common religious tradition is that God causes someone’s illness or delays/refuses his healing as a form of discipline or to cause personal and spiritual growth.

There is a fine line here in realizing the difference between truth and religious tradition in this statement. It is absolutely true that mankind as a whole usually experiences greater personal and spiritual growth during a time of suffering; suffering causes us to re-evaluate and adapt. The fine line here is that, because a person can learn from suffering or difficulties, it does not mean that God is the one causing them. As the old saying, “Hindsight is 20-20.” In retrospect, if we are honest with ourselves, we can see that most of our troubles in life, and even often our illnesses, were brought into being by poor choices, such as acting on impulse, or being in a harmful relationship, or not taking care of one’s body.

The quote that religious tradition often uses to say that sickness is discipline is from Hebrews 12:6, “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens [disciplines].” Religious tradition will apply this quote to sickness and say that God either caused the sickness or is not healing the sickness so that you will have personal/spiritual growth. There are again two important points to notice in this context. First, the discussion from Heb.12:1-13 uses an illustration comparing an earthly father’s discipline of the child he loves to the loving discipline of Father God to His children. Notice love is involved, not the abuse some people have experienced as children by out-of-control fathers or substance abuse situations. Second, the Greek word used here for “discipline” is “paideuo,” and it literally means to train up a child, educate, instruct, learn, teach.(1) A loving parent disciplines a child in a way that does educate and benefit; no wise, loving parental discipline involves giving one’s child a disease. The thought is ludicrous! It is just as absurd to suggest that the all-wise, perfectly loving Father God would give His child a disease as discipline. Think of the person in your realm of knowledge that you believe to be the most wise, successful parent; then realize that God’s discipline of His children is unfathomably more wise, loving, and successful than that of any human parent. When some family members were in a car accident a few years back, a few well-meaning people kept saying that they hoped my family members had learned what God was trying to teach them. Realize, no wise parent would discipline his child by causing the child to have a critical car accident. Neither would God in all His wisdom. Let’s put this religious tradition to an end. Does that mean we have an explanation for all of life’s tragedies? No, but neither does it mean the blame should be put on God for them.

The apostle Paul’s reference to a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7) has often been use in religious tradition to support the idea of God giving His children diseases or other ailments.

The phrase “thorn in the flesh” is a metaphor that has literally been in use for 1000′s of years. It does not refer to a physical or “fleshly” sickness. Around 1400 BC, the book of Numbers records God using this metaphor while speaking to the people of Israel, warning them against the possible “torment” from their ungodly enemies. The Hebrew for “torment” is “tsarar,” meaning “adversary, enemy, besiege, oppress, distress, trouble.”(2) It says,

If you don’t kill the Canaanites when you possess the land, they will become thorns in your side. They will torment you. Num.33:55

The purpose here is not to get involved in a discussion about war, but to point out the fact that this phrase is a metaphor and not referring to a physical sickness. There is also insight to be gained from two of the Greek words in Paul’s quote from 2 Corinthians. The Greek term for “messenger” is actually “angel.”(1) Paul is saying that an “angel from satan,” or an evil spiritual messenger is tormenting him. Anyone studying Paul’s life can see where that is obvious, as he suffered frequently from beatings, riots, and imprisonments. Forces of evil were always causing him some form of religious persecution.

More importantly, God describes good and perfect gifts as having their source in Him, not harm.

In James 1:17, God says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father…who does not change.” The Greek word for “good” means beneficial.(1) The Greek term for “perfect” refers to having completeness in a various aspects of one’s life, such as one’s labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.(1) Good and perfect do not describe physical harm, damage, or disease. It is also significant that the context says God does not change, as people do. He cannot be the source of good and perfect in the past and then change to be the source of harm.

Jesus’ own example of God’s character was one of healing and restoration.

Scripture describes Jesus as being the “image of the invisible God (Col.1:15),” or in other words, a visible representation to us of the unseen God. Jesus Himself said, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father (Jn.14:9).” Why is this important to us? Because the pattern of Jesus entire ministry was one of healing and restoration, “Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38).” Numerous scriptures describe this. (You can see a list in the “Does God Want to Heal Me?” post referenced below.) Jesus came to be an illustration of the heart, mind, and character of God and His life was one of healing and restoration. This is probably the most important point of all against the religious traditions of God bringing disease or bodily harm to people.

Providing this information on the erroneous nature of some religious traditions will not give you the answers to all your “why” questions when it comes to a lack of healing, but it will bring you peace and relief — if you allow it — to know that God is not the one fighting against you. He desires His activity in your life to be that of healing and restoration, as Jesus illustrated for us.

Click Here to go to Other Informative Posts on Healing:

Does God Want to Heal Me?

Why Doesn’t God Heal Me?

1. Greek definitions are from Strong’s Dictionary of New Testament words.
2. Hebrew definitions are from Strong’s Dictionary of Old Testament words.
3. List of 3 common religious traditions regarding healing were taken from Faith Food, May 12th article, Kenneth Hagin. Research in the Greek and Hebrew terms as well as post discussion is provided by ReceiveHealing.com

Visualization or creating a mental image of your dreams is an effective technique for reaching your goals.

The terms may vary at different points in history, but visualization is a healthy, effective concept that has been used for achieving one’s personal destiny for 1000′s of years. Whether you call it dreaming, vision casting, or the current term of visualization, creating mental images of your dreams and goals is a technique emphasized now by life coaches and other career experts. Sites such as VisionBoardSite.com provide you your own space, music, images, etc. to help you visualize goals and keep focused (Link in right column Blogroll and banner at end of the post.).

I came across a quote this week by Pablo Picasso, “Everything you can imagine is real.”

I thought it was very fitting to this concept. What you imagine, dream, or visualize may not be tangible (where you can touch it or see it) at the present moment, but imagining or visualizing can make that dream tangible. Jesus spoke a similar concept in Mk. 11:23,

I most certainly tell you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he will have whatever he says. (WEB)

Notice two things: Jesus said this is “absolutely” a true concept when He said, “I most certainly tell you…” and second, if a person believes that what he is saying is actually happening, such as moving a mountain, he would definitely be visualizing it before saying something with such an extreme level of belief. He would have to be seeing it as already done in his mind to speak it and believe it done with such confidence. Jesus said the result is then that you will have what you have said.

Visualization is often associated with the philosophy of the Law of Attraction, yet most people are unaware that it is a scriptural principle that was personally recommended by God to Abram.

Abram, whose name God later changed name to Abraham (meaning Father of Nations), was waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise to him that he would have descendents. When Abraham was about 75 years old, God spoke this promise to him,

I will make you into a great nation…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Gen. 12:2,3

At that time, Abraham did not have any children at all, and 10 years later, he was 85, still childless, and experiencing doubt with regard to the fulfillment of God’s promise, which was also Abraham’s personal dream. He said to God, “What can You give me since I am going to die childless? (Gen. 15:2)” God’s response to Abraham giving up on his personal dream and the promise of God to him was instruction on visualization. See it in this quote:

Then God brought Abram outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And God said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Gen. 15:5,6

Visualization allowed even Abraham, the father of many nations and faiths, to receive his personal dream and the promise of God.

It was not until God gave Abraham a visual picture of how many descendents he would have that he could believe God for those descendents. As we can now see, nations literally did come from a man who had been unable to have children his whole life after visualization made him believe the dream and promise.

What are you visualizing for your life at the present?

Are you visualizing only your problems and disappointments or are you visualizing your dreams and the promises of God for your life. Visualize your dreams and the promises of God to you until you can speak with such confidence about them because you will “have whatever you say.”

A major help in overcoming fear is knowing that God is attentive to you.

A friend put together this selection of quotes below (using a couple of different translations) to clearly illustrate God’s commitment to be attentive to our communication with Him, especially in times of fear and need. These will be a great encouragement to anyone who is now seeking God during a time of fear or any other overwhelming need.

As with any relationship, your ability to receive affects the good that comes into your life.

Keep in mind as you read through these quotes that your own receptiveness affects what you receive in any relationship, including your relationship with God. People who teach on the Law of Attraction encourage us to first love and value ourselves and then believe that the people we meet will actually like us. This attracts the desired response from other people because of a change in our own receptiveness. Using this principle, if you realize your value and believe that people will like you, then, when you go to a meeting or begin a relationship, instead of acting out of fear, you act with confidence. Why? Because you know that you are a person of such value that any other person will benefit from the meeting or relationship and definitely like you. The confident, self-acceptance creates a warmth and attractiveness which literally draws people to you. Other people did not change; the adjustment in your own viewpoint changed your receptivity.

In the same way, by believing that God is attentive to you and your needs, you open up your receptivity.

Just as a fear that people won’t like you causes you to act in a way that drives others away, keeping you from receiving good, a fear that God is not attentive to your call for help causes you to respond in such a way that hinders you from receiving good from Him into your life. Choosing to believe that you are of so much value to God that He “likes” you, or rather is attentive to you, enables you to receive more help than if you continued living in fear.

Allow these quotes to alleviate your fears. Take hold of the attentiveness of God!

Jeremiah 29:12 (Amplified) Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.

Psalm 31:22 (NIV) In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet You heard my cry for mercy when I called to You for help.
Psalm 31:22 (Amplified) As for me, I said in my haste and alarm, I am cut off from before Your eyes. But You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to You for aid.

Psalm 18:6 (Amplified) In my distress [when seemingly closed in] I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple (heavenly dwelling place), and my cry came before Him, into His very ears.

2 Chron 7:14 (Amplified) If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear…
It is a humbling thing to ask for help. He will hear! When He hears, that means He answers!

Psalm 69:33 (The Message) For GOD listens to the poor; He doesn’t walk out on the wretched.
vv. 29-33 (NLT) I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the LORD hears the cries of the needy; He does not despise his imprisoned people.

Joh 16:24 (NIV) Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Our joy comes from seeing God work.

Psalm 116:1-7 (Excerpts from Amplified) I love the Lord, because He has heard [and now hears] my voice…Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. The cords and sorrows of death were around me, and the terrors of Sheol (the place of the dead) had laid hold of me; I suffered anguish and grief (trouble and sorrow). Then I called upon the name of the Lord…deliver me! Gracious is the Lord… yes, our God is merciful. I was brought low, and He helped and saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:1-7 (Excerpts from NLT) I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “Please, LORD, save me!” How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.
The Lord shows us His love by listening!

Psalm 145:19 (Amplified) He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.

Prov. 11:23 (BBE) The desire of the upright man is only for good.
Mk. 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

Romans 10:11-13 (The Message) Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this-heart and soul-will ever regret it.” It’s exactly the same no matter what a person’s religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. “Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.”

1 John 5:15 (The Message) And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

People often question to whether or not their prayers are “the will of God.” What is the will of God? Jesus’ life was a portrayal of the will of God. Luke 4:18-21 (The Message ) Jesus said, “God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, ‘This is God’s year to act!‘ He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now.”
Luke 4:18,19 (Amplified) The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord, the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.
Acts 10:38 (Amplified) How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.