Seventeen years of chronic back pain coupled with lots of emotional issues plunged me into an impossible situation. It seemed like a future without hope. Each MRI report showed further deterioration of my disks. Even daily tasks were a painful process. I finally asked my doctor: “Will I eventually be crippled for life?” He struggled to slip out of that question.
The Impossible Happened
After about two years of emotional healing coupled with a miraculous touch from God, my back was completely healed. I was able to resume all my previous physical activities just as before.
Working Through Mental Agony
The two-year process of healing involved lots of journaling. Issues from my childhood through adult years were expressed in the journaling process. Lots of reading (specifically a book on back pain), lots of agonizing, and lots of prayer went into the writing of those journals.
The Facebook Push
After my back was healed, I posted a photo of me playing basketball on Facebook. Through posts, messages, and emails, people began asking about the healing. That led me to write out my story in detail and I posted it on my “dormant” blog. This was the kind of push that I needed to get me on the writing path.
An Ongoing Quest for Freedom
My healing was really a quest for freedom. It wasn’t a freedom from others and their words and actions. But it was a freedom from my own victim mentality and emotional quagmire.
The process of healing and quest for freedom continues even now. My blog is an ongoing expression of that quest. Although I write on a lot of topics, most of my posts are written from this perspective of living free.
Living Your Potential
I believe that only when you move toward freedom can you live your potential. Otherwise you will be stagnant and dragged around by all the emotional hang-ups.
An Invitation for You
Do you have a strong urge to please everyone, do everything, and be everywhere? I want to help you live with freedom and focus. Join me in the Journey as we process life and how to live it with freedom and focus.
When you subscribe to receive updates from my blog, you will also get a free copy of my book Living Your Potential.
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“If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.” This statement by Voltaire was quoted by Dr. Vilayanur Ramachandran, who runs the University of California, San Diego’s center for Brain and Cognition. Dr. Ramachandran claims that he has found certain parts of the brain, in the temporal lobe that may make people more prone to believe in God.
Dr. Ramanchandran noticed that statements about God or religious matters induced a measurable amount of stimuli in the brain. That stimuli corresponds with an electrochemical reaction in the brain that is quite distinct from responses from other violent and sensual stimuli.
If it is true that the brain has a built in “God-module”, how must we react to that? Has God put in something physically that will attract us to Him? Does Dr. Ramachandran’s theory have any connection with the “God-shaped vacuum” idea that is so often spoken of? Do those who do not know God have any understanding of Him? Does He expect them to know?
Paul made it clear that “Even when Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right” Romans 2:14-15 (NLT).
God has revealed himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Through a personal relationship with Jesus, we can live to the fullest extent o f God’s plan for us. God has put his laws within our hearts for this one purpose: that we would seek and turn to him.
It is not certain if Dr. Ramachandran’s assertions are accurate. But we know what the Biblical author has indicated in Romans. God’s plan for mankind from the beginning is for us to be in a proper relationship to Him. Jesus has opened the way for us to draw near to God. Yes, there is something in us that draws us to the one who has created us. God put it there to bring you to Jesus.
Your thoughts on God consciousness?
I would love to hear from you. Please leave your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.
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Is there any good in failure and sin? Although the answer is NO, there is a bright side. To really know God, you need to fall, fail, and sin. Then you have an opportunity to know God’s true character of forgiveness and love (note: We are all sinners. Some acknowledge it, others ignore it and fake spirituality.).
Those who don’t fail (or think they don’t), have an unrealistic view of life. They become judgmental and angry at those “sinners” who can’t get their act together.
We surely don’t want to encourage sinfulness and Failure, but we know that times of dryness, failure, and sinful backsliding are surely damaging. Yet God can turn everything around and bring complete restoration (Hos 3:4-5).
Your thoughts?
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Several years ago I was driving through the streets of Bangalore with a friend from Mumbai. He was astonished at the sight of several cars making illegal turns, in full view of the traffic police! The police went about their jobs as if nothing unexpected is happening. He remarked that “this would never be tolerated in Bombay-immediately they would be stopped and fined.” My response to him was “hey, this is a free country-we have freedom from the law.”
Several weeks after that incident, I was astounded at the sight of a policeman accepting bribe in the middle of an intersection. The truck was attempting to make an illegal turn, but the traffic police stopped them. They continued to attempt the turn, when the policeman walked in front of the truck with his handout, blowing his whistle signaling them to stop. Finally, a man nonchalantly stepped out of the passenger side of the truck, and put some money into hand of the policeman. The policeman turned around as if he saw nothing, and the truck made the turn. The area was full of vehicles and people, and it was done with no shame, guilt, or hesitance. It was Just “part of the job.”
Paul said in Galatians 5:13, “you, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.” In the natural realm, freedom is misused so often that it has almost become the norm. In the spiritual realm, Paul is encouraging believers to use spiritual freedom with responsibility.
No longer are we bound to the sinful nature. We have been freed from the clutches of sin. Now, we are free. This freedom was free to us, but not cheap. Jesus paid dearly on the cross. It is our responsibility to use our freedom in a way that brings glory to God. Others should observe our lives and say, “look, they are not bound like we are. They are really free!”
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You saw it with your own eyes, heard it with your own ears. So has others. There is no doubting the evidence. What will you do?
They are wrong, rebellious, and clearly at fault! We feel justified in our judgement. And surely we are not as bad as they are. Its kind of a good feeling when others fall in their sinfulness. Our “feel good factor” rises a few points. This causes us to push further with our judgement of others.
Mary carried the clear evidence of sin against God, society, and the one she was about to marry. What more evidence would one want? But Joseph wanted to show some grace by putting her away quietly, rather than making a big ruckus. Was it forgiveness? No, but to some extent he was showing grace.
But God intervened and gave his explanation for the evidence. Now the evidence could be seen from a new perspective. Same evidence, different perspective.
So be considerate and merciful of others even when there is evidence for judgment. God has the last word (Matt 1:19-20).
Your thoughts?
– Please leave your response in the comments section of this blog post.
***Sign up for my devotional thoughts on Blog by Alexi This blog is a reflection on life as it comes. Sometimes it comes with great joy and delight and at other times it hits us in the face with conflict and agony. It’s a journey through life and journey through the scriptures to guide us.
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When my mother suffered terribly for several years with cancer, I heard some shocking comments like this: “It’s a shame and disgrace to God’s name that your mother is suffering with Cancer.” There were some people who felt that when we suffer, it makes God look bad and less people will follow him.
Maybe this is a conclusion that is logical and in the minds of many. But only a few would share such thoughts with others. Still, it is there in the minds of many.
But when Jesus suffered in the cruelest way possible, a Roman soldier made a public proclamation about him that was astounding: “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matt 27:54) Then further: “Certainly this man was innocent!” (Luke 23:47)
Suffering can bring confusion, but it also brings clarity. Certainly that Roman soldier had heard about the claims of Jesus being the Son of God, the Messiah. Although these designations may have not made sense to him as a non-Israelite, he recognized a sense of divinity in Jesus.
On the cross, when one of the criminals mocked Jesus, the other one said: “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Somehow, throughout the whole ordeal of suffering, this person understood the innocence of Jesus. Maybe the innocent suffer differently than the guilty.
In addition to that recognition, faith was expressed by this criminal as well. He said: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Then Jesus affirmed him with these words: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:39-43). His response was not just a fleeting interest in Jesus. Rather it was faith that was genuine enough to bring salvation.
None of us desire suffering in any way. But when we do, it’s good to remove fear and trust that God’s name will be glorified. It’s not a problem for unbelievers to know about our sufferings. This is part of life here on earth, and we have God with us as our comfort and strength. Then in the end, God will be glorified.Your thoughts?
– Please leave your response in the comments section of this blog post.
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They tried to understand him, but they couldn’t. Sometimes they found him at the synagogue teaching and conversing with scholars of his day. But at other times, he hung with the “marginal” crowd that others would never want to be seen with.
But why was he doing this? It’s understandable when people reach out for some benefit they would receive; even if that benefit is received indirectly. Some see some financial benefit by connecting with people on the margins. Others look for popularity among the general public as they are viewed as “compassionate” toward the suffering.
For Jesus, none of these benefits caught his attention. He truly responded from a selfless goal as his mission was to die for these people. I suppose there is no deeper level of selflessness than to die for others.
The religious leaders of his day experienced their greatest confusion ever. They were truly intrigued with their discussions with this unique rabbi. He captivated them as he shared his wisdom. But since he connected with people of ill repute, their own reputation was endangered. There was nothing they could do but to distance themselves from him.
But Jesus would not flinch from his target. They attacked, argued, and threatened him, but he continued in his task of loving and reaching out to the unwanted of his day. The officials viewed his work as rebellious and unacceptable, but that would not move him – he remained determined. Throughout his life, this was his reputation.
Then in death, his legacy continued. He was crucified between two thieves – more misfits from society. The prophet Isaiah said that in death, he “was numbered with the transgressors” (53:12).
Now, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for misfits and sinners like me.*Your thoughts?
—Leave your response in the comments section of this blog post.
*(Romans 8:34).
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Helping people in need can be a daunting task. Once you make yourself available and begin to help, everything changes. Gradually, people begin to gravitate towards you with their needs. This is what you set out to do, but you struggle with reality of the life you live.
How do you help others when you struggle so much with life? For me, I wonder how I continue to teach and write as I find my difficulties to be such a challenge.
How do I find the balance?
Where is the balance?
What balance?
If I could just get over the struggles and become free from such things, I think I can be more effective in helping others.
But will I be more effective? Can I help others better? Can I teach and write more effectively? These thoughts are often just a thought, and not reality.
These struggles make up our life. The “crunch” of life that we feel on a daily basis is as much a part of life as the simple, easy, and fulfilling things.
It’s the crunch that enables us to help others. It’s the crunch that feeds our words as we teach, write, and do all that we do to help. There is no other way but to live life and face it with all its difficulties.
The Bible is clear that God comforts us in our difficulties so we can help others. The apostle Paul said: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2Cor 1:3-4).
So keep reaching out to others with your feeble hands. God’s comfort will flow through you to others.
Your thoughts?
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Life seems to be a rat race running after those things that will make our life better, easier, simpler, and hopefully normal. That struggle puts us in more of an emotional dilemma than we can imagine.
As we consistently pray for the sick, we see there are so many struggling with stress and unresolved issues from the past. Most of these come from unmet expectations about life, and others struggle with unresolved issues from the past.
We have an ideal in our minds about how life ought to be. That ideal is determined by various factors such as media, friends, and family. Our striving for these ideals puts us right in the middle of a rat race where we don’t belong.
When God comes, there will be a day that redefines what we consider to be normal. What we know about the various effects of nature such as light and darkness, cold and heat, summer and winter, and all other factors will be redefined by God. It will be a unique day, and God will be king of all. (Zech 14:6-9)
So what about your unmet expectations of life? Unresolved issues and questions? Let’s reevaluate the value of these things in light of the future where God redefines everything. He will be king of all.
Your thoughts?
—Leave your response in the comments section of this blog post.
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When we listen for God’s voice, we have the option of following him. But when we fill our hearing with lots of noise, our ears are too full to filter out the voice of God.
For this to effectively take place in our lives, I believe there are three things that are important.
First, increase our exposure to God’s voice. Make reading and meditation of God’s word a regular practice for everyone in the home including the smallest children. If they do not read yet, read the Bible to them. When they are just learning to read, have them read the first verse of the chapter, and you read the rest of the chapter to them.
Fill your home with music that exalts God and his ways. Set the tone in the home with music and praise to our God. Be jealous for God and don’t allow other voices to have more importance.
Second, develop a mindset of obedience. Make it firm in your mind that you are a man of God, that you are a woman of God. Once that identity is firmly set in your mind, you will be more apt to have a mind of obedience. Sure we have our freedom and independence as human beings. But we choose to obey because God is our everything.
Third, be intentional about obedience. One step toward this is to begin a simple process of daily writing down something that impacted you during your daily reading of the Bible. Write down even a sentence that you feel God has spoken to you. In the midst of your struggles, it may be something related to what you are facing. Just the process of recording your interaction with the word of God will greatly impact your thinking. Write that down on a small card and keep it in your pocket so you can look at it throughout the day. Put in in your phone as a constant reminder.
Once you begin doing these things on a regular basis, God will begin to impact your thinking, your behavior, and your responses. The environment in your home will begin to shift focus.
The people of God at the time of Zechariah were struggling to build the temple of God. It was left unfinished for a long time. But God wanted them to listen to his voice. He said if they would listen for his voice, he will bring people to help them build. But the key was listening and obeying God’s voice.
Listen for the voice of the Lord. He will bring you help to move forward. (Zech 6:15)
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