Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Pastor's Ponderings, January 14, 2020

Feeling Doomed?

I recently learned that having a sense of impending doom is actually a real medical symptom that can be linked to life threatening illnesses such has having a blood clot om your lungs. Dr. Lynne Eldridge, MD in the Website, VeryWellMind, wrote an article entitled, “Is a Sense of Impending Doom a Real Symptom?” A sense of impending doom is a feeling of knowing that something life-threatening or tragic is about to occur. …this symptom may actually precede other obviously critical symptoms.  In other words, how one feels about major life-threatening possibilities may precede their actual occurrence.  While this feeling may alert the medical community of the diagnosis, we cannot apply this strategy to our everyday lives. 

Often times we can be influenced by people, situations or the media that predict doom and gloom. We can accept it for ourselves and brace for when something bad will happen.  However, the Bible says that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).  God wants us to prosper and be in health (3 John 2) and He gives us everything that pertains unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).  The evil one wants us to think negative thoughts about ourselves when God says we are to think only good, honest, just, pure, lovely and positive things (Philippians 4:8).  These fears of doom did not come from the Lord because God is love and His perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).

This year when the devil speaks to our minds about coming disaster, looming catastrophes, and destructive storms, we must speak back to him and say that my God will take care of me.  God tells us not be anxious about anything. but rather than worry about the future, we are to give thanks to God for what He has already done, is doing, and will do in our life (Philippians 4:6).  We are not to allow our feelings to determine our destiny because we live by faith in God and not by our feelings (2 Corinthians 5:7).  We are victorious in God.

Proverbs 23:7
King James Version (KJV)
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

3 John 2
King James Version (KJV)
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

2 Peter 1:3
New International Version (NIV)
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Philippians 4:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1 John 4:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Philippians 4:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

2 Corinthians 5:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.



No comments: