BEATING BACK THE "MEAN REDS"

I believe in the power of good and evil.  I believe in the existence of a benevolent Christ and a malevolent Anti Christ.

The Anti Christ (AC) is a thief, always seeking to entice us away from a SPIRIT filled life.  The AC consistently attempts to shift our focus away from God and onto:

1. the PAST (bemoaning the mistakes, missed opportunities and wasted time; 
2. the FUTURE (fearful of the unknown or worse); and
3. the PRESENT (wallowing in feelings of sadness or depression).

I am, like Timothy, a nervous person by nature.  I am given to the "mean reds" and "indigo moods."  Before I discovered the Power of the Spirit, I relied on my imagination to distract me from sad feelings or loneliness. 

Even now, I still battle these moods.  It is interesting to note that when I discovered the Christ, my fundamental personality did not change.  Rather, I just learned how to manage my feelings in a different way.  Now, I try my best to rely on the Spirit to alter any sad feelings in real time.

In my research on Feelings: I set out to answer a few queries.  

• Where do Feelings come from?
• What is the position of Feelings in the Christian Life?
• Where should feelings be placed in our lives?

Here are some truths that I discovered in the book: Spiritual Depression: It's Causes and Its Cures by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 

1. We need our FEELINGS!

We need our feelings (the highs and the lows) because when God takes over our lives, God takes over our entire beings and engages ALL of us: our feelings, our mind, our body.  The Gospel moves our mind (so that we can see TRUTHS); moves our hearts (so that we can feel his Power/Majesty, Joy and Happiness) and moves our will (so that we can move forward and do things as directed by God).

2.  We cannot create FEELINGS.  

Despite our attempts, we cannot create feelings.  We can not conjure them up at will.  We cannot force authentic tears or laughter.  And when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, feeling distressed for no apparent reason, we must be careful not to self medicate with drugs, alcohol and toxic relationships.  Attempting to manage feelings our way (without God), is a slippery slope.   If we are not careful, we may find ourselves exchanging one type of depression for another.  Over time, we will discover that NO man made crutch can keep feelings at bay for long. 

3.  Our FEELINGS change.

Feelings vary from moment to moment.  They are the most variable part of us because they are dependent on so many factors.  Physical conditions affect them.  Outside stimuli affect them. 

The facts are clear.  Feelings are real.  We need them.  We cannot create them.  They vary from moment to moment.

So, how then can we follow God's commandments, remain calm in the face of difficulties, and offer kind words when we feel horrible?  In other words, how can we exercise our God given gifts when we don't feel well enough to get out of the bed?!

WE MUST FIGHT with God's help.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12

This is Spiritual WARFARE!  We CANNOT ALLOW the moods, fears, physical desires, external hurts and varying FEELINGS to control us.  

How is that even possible to win this SPIRITUAL battle when we are overwhelmed by these factors on a daily basis?

It is possible, darling.  We are well equipped.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

God promises that HE will protect us.  He has already defeated the evil  one.  We simply have to stay in the Spirit, close to God to withstand and prevail.

I have found the following steps to be helpful to lift even the meanest red mood.

1. REJOICE: 
• Don't spend too much time over analyzing feelings.  You may not feel HAPPY but you can rejoice.  You can stir up the Spirit within you.
2. INTERNAL DIALOGUE
• Recognize that these shifts in feelings are a tool of the AC! Remind yourself of your beliefs.  Remind yourself that you are a daughter/son of a KING that has ALL Power!  Tell yourself:  I will not be dominated by this feelings.  These indigo moods shall not control me today.  I am going out and I am breaking through.
3. GET UP AND DO SOMETHING
• Shake off the mean reds and walk about, dance, MOVE.  Go for a walk outside and focus on the delicate beauty of God's creation.
4. ASK FOR HELP
• Remember you are not alone.  God has promised to meet your needs in real time.  So tell God you are feeling blue.  Ask Him to lift it so that you can get on with His work.  Watch Him do it! (and if you think you might need to talk with a professional, ask God to direct you to someone who is gifted and spirit filled.)

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5

You may not feel happy today.  But whether you feel happy or not, believe the truths of God as chronicled in the Scriptures.  

Say to yourself:  I believe God's word is true and I will stay my soul on it, I will believe in it come what may!  Never the LESS, I will believe.  I will trust.  

Then sit with God quietly, asking HIM to fill you with His Spirit.  Don't move until you feel your countenance shift.

When you do these things, you will escape the mean reds and you will be able to continue Onward and Upward.

I promise, darling.

NEVERtheLESS: SPIRIT Life Has Its Privileges

No one is strong all the time.  Despite our best efforts to eat right, exercise, get rest, meditate and pray, we sometimes run out of energy and enthusiasm.  During these moment, we may feel vulnerable and defenseless against the onslaughts of the "world."  In times like these, the tiniest criticism, unkind word or mundane gesture can cause us to spiral into a melancholy mood, or worse, can cause us to make decisions that are not in our best interest.

Each of us is a child of God, created in the image of God.  We are wonderfully made.  But we are also quite defenseless in many ways.  Who but God knows our intricacies?   Who but God knows how we process hurts and set backs?  Who but God understands the delicate balance needed for us to grow and thrive?

I try to bear this in mind when I encounter those who by their words and actions endeavor to disparage my thought processes, my accomplishments and my actions.

The truth is that no one but God can judge our actions.  The truth is that no man can impute iniquity to us.  God alone sits in judgement.

The most wonderful thing about God's judgement is that if you are living in the SPIRIT -- even your missed opportunities, missteps, and sins are forgiven.  God loves us and knows us.  He therefore understands our struggle on this plain to resist temptation, to set our sights on spiritual things, to obey God's precepts.

The struggle we face daily is real and can leave us feeling limp and helpless.  Why, when we endeavor to follow God, do we fail?  Why is there a constant battle between the desires that benefit our physical selves and the desires that benefit our spirit?

Paul likewise feels somewhat baffled by the struggle waging within him.

 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  Romans 7: 15-21

Paul reminds us that we must fight against sin.  If we do not FIGHT we will be ruled by desires of the flesh (e.g., desires to meet our physical needs by any means necessary in direct contrast to God's rules).  Over time, these earthly desires will take over and will pull us away from the Spirit.  There is DANGER in allowing anyone or anything to pull us away from the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 7:5-8

Without the protection of the Spirit, we cannot access our Spiritual gifts.  If we cannot access our Spiritual gifts, we will be unable to navigate this life on earth.  We will no longer be connected to God.  Without God, we will forever be on a futile quest to find HAPPINESS here on earth.  There is no HAPPINESS without God.

We cannot afford to lose our connection to the SPIRIT.

....the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  Romans 7:26-27

If we remain close to the Spirit, we are guaranteed a victory against any hardship or hurdle in our lives.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  Romans 7: 31-35

We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS!

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[o] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 7: 37-39

Don't dwell on the mean things that others say and do to hurt you.  When these thought come, shake them off by rejoicing in all that God has done for you.  Then, take your concerns to God.  Pour out your heart and ask God to stir up the Spirit within you.

Remind yourself that only God sits in judgement and once you have confessed your sins you are forgiven.  The slate is clean. And you can go forward in Joy.  Remember too that the Spirit lives within you and will not only plead your case with God but will also vindicate you with man.  That is a promise!

When you are in the Spirit, you will be guided, you will receive all that you need and more. And even your mistakes will be forgiven!  Don't worry.  All is well, darling!