Tag Archives: tug of war

Fighting Through Doubt

Posted on September 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I find that confidence and doubt are competing in a daily tug of war. The apostle Paul describes a similar process in Galatians 5:16-18 as this internal battle takes place in the spiritual realm. The older I become, the confidence that I’ve possessed most of my life has been shaken since moving to South Carolina. I even struggle with basic self-confidence as I find myself fighting through doubt daily.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said, Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus, Matthew 14:25-29.

Today’s selected passage is one of the best examples of fighting through doubt. Jesus’ own disciples experience a series of emotions from fear to awe and back to fear. As the disciples headed off on a boat, Jesus stayed behind to minister to needy individuals. To catch up, Jesus walked on water through the night, making it appear that He was a ghost. The disciples’ minds couldn’t process this initially.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God,” Matthew 14:30-33.

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief at Jesus walking on water, Peter willed himself to imagine the impossible. As Peter fought through doubt, he begins to play a game of Truth or Dare with Jesus. Jesus’ response to Peter’s request brought him to take a leap of faith. Peter exited this boat to stand on the water with Jesus. The only mistake Peter made was to take his eyes off of Jesus to dwell on the water, Hebrews 12:1-2. When your own waves of disbelief come crashing ashore, fight through doubt with a will to stand.

by Jay Mankus

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The Pull

Posted on April 9, 2017 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYbS-tAToMw

The gravitational force is the weakest of the four fundamental forces of nature.  Newton’s law of gravity refers to the force between two bodies in proportion to its mass and distance.  This pull is invisible to the naked eye unless of course you are doing something like skydiving.  Another pull also exists, a tug of war between the human flesh and the Holy Spirit.

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want, Galatians 5:17.

The Christian group Curious Fools sings about the passage above in their song entitled Pull.  This soft rock classic has inspired drama teams to illustrate the message of the lyrics in the attached you tube.  Whether you are disciplined, focused or organized, anyone is susceptible to the pull between the cravings of the flesh and prompting of the Holy Spirit.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit, Romans 8:5.

The apostle Paul examines what goes on within human beings as this pull commences.  The mind is like a trigger, leading you in one way or the other.  Thoughts serve like a steering wheel, guiding you in the direction of your desires.  Perhaps, this may explain Paul’s obsession with the heart and mind in his letters, Colossians 3:1-3.  If you don’t want to be pulled the wrong way any longer, begin by taking your thoughts captive, making them obedient to Christ.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Overwhelmed by Priorities

Posted on January 31, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Every day when I arise from sleep, my mind is overwhelmed by the choices at hand.  Do I read?  Should I write?  Perhaps I need to work out?  Maybe hitting the snooze button and rolling over is my best option.  Either way, the choices you make will dictate the path your life takes.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Luke 12:34

Like most years, my New Years Resolutions are being modified as desires to lose weight, eat healthy and draw closer to God have fallen short.  Sometimes I feel as if I am in a tug of war, pulled in a direction I don’t want to go, yet over time I submit, dragged to a new low.  By enduring these trials, I am beginning to comprehend the words of the apostle Paul as he explains how the sinful nature can influence one’s priorities.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. – Romans 7:15

When Jeremiah opened his mouth to Israel, negative messages usually came forth.  Thus, this servant of God was nicknamed the weeping prophet.  If you too feel depressed, frustrated or lost, there are some promises in the Bible to cling to.  Lamentations 3:20-24 suggests God’s forgiveness is new every morning.  Therefore, if you fail to keep the priorities that you hold dear, may God’s grace lift you up each time you fall.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Abracadabra

Posted on December 16, 2013 by expressyourself4him

In a world where self gratification is in a tug of war with reality, a growing trend is emerging which is disappointing, but not unexpected.  Like the old Steven Miller Band song, Christians are waiting for God to snap his fingers, to magically make all of life’s problems vanish from thin air.  Instead of pulling a rabbit of a His hat, God has taken a back seat, allowing Satan to temporarily be the ruler of the air, Ephesians 2:2.

Today’s white magic was foretold by the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 as the devil himself masquerades as an angel of light.  I am not sure if the Hollywood rumors are true, yet some insiders claim that a few desperate for fame, power and success have sold their soul to the devil in return for what he offered Jesus in Matthew 4:8-9.   Jesus went far out of his way to convince people in his day to avoid falling for this trick, Matthew 16:26.  Unfortunately, the impatient seek alternative measures that include the dark side of life.

Rather than say Abracadabra, God’s ways are different from man’s plans or vision of life, Proverbs 19:21.  Open from the beginning, the Lord seeks to move individuals, little by little, Exodus 23:30.  Perhaps this may explain Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the desert prior to entering the Promised Land, as there weren’t mature or ready enough to handle success.  Persuaded by humility, the Lord slowly brought his children along until the time was right, Ecclesiastes 3:11.  May we all learn this difficult lesson as we seek to fulfill John 10:10 and Romans 12:2.

by Jay Mankus

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Caught in the Middle

Posted on April 6, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Children can become casualties of war, caught in the middle of their parent’s divorce.  As a teacher, I’ve seen this far too often, with kids used as pawns to make the other spouse jealous.  Maybe this explains Jesus’ tone within Matthew 18:1-9, a warning to all adults to insure their actions do not lead a little one astray.

As a friend, its not uncommon to be caught in the middle of infighting.  Gossip, slander and half truths are the usual suspects, aimed at swaying you to their side of the argument.  Unfortunately, playing favorites is easy to fall prey to, something the pagans of Jesus’ day indulged, Matthew 5:46-47.  Yet, God expects Christians to possess higher standards, Matthew 5:48, striving for perfection in Christ, Philippians 4:13.

Casting Crowns addresses this issue in their song Somewhere in the Middle.  From their The Altar and the Door album, Casting Crowns sings about the ongoing tug of war that exists within each soul.  The disciple Peter and the author of Hebrews highlight this dilemma of being in the world, 1 Peter 2:11-12, yet called to look beyond this present world, Hebrews 12:1-2.  Thus, as you find yourself caught in the middle of right and wrong, remember the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 12:1-2 so that you will conform to God’s ways!

by Jay Mankus

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