Panic is optional.

This is a little "sumptn" about stuff I'm discovering as I reconcile disconnects between what the Bible says and how I really live. This post explores the gap between who I am when I’m at my best in Christ and who I am the other five days of the week (kidding, sorta), and why there is a gap in the first place.

I've been zeroing in on my own hypocrisy, shortcomings, fears, and how a I, as a believer, co-creator, Son of God, and ambassador of his Gospel, am supposed to "show up" when problems arise in my personal life, my family, community, or the world at large.

Come to find out, renewing my mind is REALLY important. Old mindsets and paradigms are just not going to get us to the "abundant" life that we are promised as our inheritance in Christ. The Biblical references for much of this come from Romans 8 if you care to read it. I highly encourage it. As a disclaimer, this is a post mostly geared for Christians. If you're not a Christian, then you're likely not going to get any of this...

Let me explain...

I'm more convinced now than ever that if we're relying on control over our circumstances, or the quality of our marriage, career, kids, car collection... or the size of our paycheck, retirement account, or house... or relying on our social status, “likes”, friend-group, or prestige and acceptance among our peers... or relying on our education level... or insurance policies, money or power... or any other external things to create confidence, peace, or happiness in life, then we are one catastrophe away from an identity crisis. We're one stock market crash, one car crash, one bad doctor report, one mass shooting at a concert, shopping mall or school, one unexpected death, divorce, fire, hurricane, or earthquake away from watching our life totally fall apart.

Yet aren't all these things - bigger houses, more money, better insurance, better jobs, bigger retirement accounts, better friends, cars, better doctors, more medications, etc. - designed specifically to create security, insulate us from pain, and give us significance?

These are a product of an earth-bound paradigm of scarcity, around which I've built my life, that says, "Everything in life is in limited supply, therefore I must accumulate things/wealth/power to be secure, gain an advantage over others, and protect and advance myself." And so I pour out my life, that is my time, energy, and resources, in pursuit of these things.

Yet deep down... don’t we all live with an uneasy fear of the inevitable "storm" that is bearing down on us that threatens our things/wealth/power, and ultimately our security and identity.

This fear temporarily ebbs when we life is good. If we get a promotion, or our medical report is positive, or if our spouse is meeting our needs then we feel pretty good, confident, hopeful about the future. Right?

But the fear quickly rushes back in with the latest breaking news story about an active shooter at a local college campus or the latest outbreak of the new killer virus, or when you get "that" phone call in the middle of the night because something tragic has happened to someone you love, and your life is changed from that moment on.

If we're honest, we're emotionally tossed around by circumstances and we spend most of our time and energy trying to gain some level of control, insulating ourselves from pain - physical and emotional - past, present, and future.

In this tension we cultivate coping mechanisms to temporarily escape the reality that despite our best efforts, we actually don't control much of our life, and it freaks us out. We shop, we drink too much, we gamble, we do drugs, sleep around, or entertain ourselves non-stop, we cope. And our enemy is more than willing to negotiate our surrender of our promised abundant life in Christ, in exchange for a string of flimsy, quick-fixes that promise security, significance, and life, but never deliver.

No judgement here. I have used many coping mechanisms and still do sometimes. But I'm discovering that my new life - in Christ - makes it possible to adopt a new mindset. I'm learning that I can choose to show up differently in this life by his Spirit, working in me. I’m discovering that panic is optional.

I'm discovering that the way I speak reveals a lot about my mindset. If I'm pessimistic, or dwell on the past, or what's wrong with others, or if I'm fearful, anxious, or worried about circumstances, then I'm might be "flirting" with a victim mindset as a lifestyle. Perhaps I'm not the only one?

If you're a Christian, you have permission to stop doing this, and anchor your life in something immovable, steadfast, and permanent - not the ever-changing circumstances around you. If you're a believer, but you dwell more on circumstances around you than you do on the supremacy of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, then you've put your faith in the wrong kingdom and my complaining, sarcasm, fearfulness, doubt, and pessimism honors my “king” and is my worship offering to him. That’s a sobering thought.

For the Believer it is not required for our attitudes or perspectives to be governed by fear of the unknown, or negative people or circumstances. You're not the sum of your past failures or current shortcomings. Our significance and security is not defined by the money in the bank, or the size of the house, or our job title. We used to be slaves to that earthly “wisdom” but Jesus died to set me free. My life in the Kingdom is completely governed by the new laws like goodness, mercy, love, abundance, grace, righteousness, just to name a few.

Our new life is governed by a permanent power much stronger and reliable than anything on this earth. No external circumstance can overwhelm the power inside us unless we choose to let it. This power is the Holy Spirit of God, who has taken up residence, inside our physical bodies. Weird, right???? Truly amazing when you think about it!!

I realize this may sound like nonsense to people who have not experienced it. To those who have... it's the key to everything.

The Holy Spirit living in us makes it possible to live with authentic peace, confidence, and ongoing, perpetual, joy and life to the fullest.

He makes it possible to experience hard circumstances, unfairness, abuse and disappointment and get HEALED instead of becoming just another an angry, bitter, victim.

The Holy Spirit makes it possible to enter into hard circumstances with others and not be overwhelmed.

He makes it possible to really live a great life, and be a life-giving, selfless presence in someone else's life.

This is what it means to a Christian.

Christianity has nothing to do with following the traditions or rules of Catholicism, Methodism, Presbyterianism, or any other "ism".

Isn't it about time we put that nonsense behind us. Isn't it obvious that religion is a powerless, spiritually bankrupt system that doesn't bring real freedom, or healing, or joy to anyone?

Perhaps it once was, but it seems like it has become just another form of control... a way of keeping "clean" people separated from "icky" people. What a poor representation of the true Good News of Jesus, and the life we can live through the Holy Spirit's power. Sorry world.

But things are changing...

The earth is broken, and it's waiting for the true children of God to show up, and BE good news - 100%, non-stop, good news for others because they're experiencing the Holy Spirit - who is 100%, non-stop good news on the inside of THEM.

You have the freedom - through the Holy Spirit living inside you - to adopt a new mindset, and receive the "REAL DEAL - GOOD NEWS" first for yourself. Then you get to give it away to your family members... then give it away to your neighbors... and the world... in that order.

Before I go telling anyone else about it, I MUST be the real deal and not just a well-behaved, religious “parrot” or rule-keeper. If, like me, you're curious if you're the real deal a simple test is to start by listening to the way you speak. If the voice coming out of you isn’t the voice of the Holy Spirit, then consider not speaking. The world is drowning in “rich”, Christian, intellectual content and theories from people who sound smart but produce little real fruit. I believe the days of “sifting” are coming when that kind of thing could get you beat naked and run out of the house... sons of Sceva-style... by a demon who isn’t afraid of your “M-div.” and whose not impressed with your latest best-selling book or chart-topping album. I’m convicted by this deeply.

Genuine Christians do not carry a victim, mindset, and they do not live in perpetual judgement, anger, bitterness and disappointment. Their speech is filled with grace... peace... kindness... joy... love...

If you're a Christian and you're living in perpetual anger towards people around you - I'm sorry - but you've missed it, just like the pharisees of Jesus day. I know. I’m somewhat of an authority on the subject, being a recovering pharisee myself.

This is not self-help nonsense and it's definitely not a “try harder, do better” pep talk. This is a wake up call and if this resonates in your spirit then allow the Holy Spirit in you to bring a holy conviction, repentance, and restoration to a new place of authenticity and humility.

This moment is about acknowledging who you are before God and then partnering with the work the Holy Spirit is doing in you, right now. This moment is NOT about shame, it’s about re-alignment with your true identity in Christ and His Kingdom so that you can be revealed as a genuine Child of God in the Earth. Remember, the Earth is literally groaning in eager anticipation of YOU because you carry Good News!

This is a moment to stop disagreeing with God about who you are. If you've put your faith in Christ then you're redeemed and free. You're amazing, with the mandate and power to be water-walking, sight-giving, fish-and-bread-multiplying, demon-crushing, incredible!

You're valuable and significant because of what Jesus did for you, and what Jesus says about you. You're a family member of the King of Kings.

You're not defined by your past failure or your current inadequate skill-set. You're not defined by your success, possessions, social status, wealth, or good looks.

The earth is waiting for you to embrace your true identity. Heaven is waiting to give you your inheritance. The Holy Spirit is eager to teach you how to build an abundant life in and through His Kingdom.

Are you ready? You can begin as soon as you like.