Mental State: No Problems, Just Solutions

The majority of people run from problems in fear rather than confront their problems. But fear is far worse than the problems that confront us. In fact, God's word informs us that perfect (mature) love casts out fear. When we run from problems we behave like little children rather than responsible adults.

Fight or flight

This mechanism in built into us all just as our conscience is built in. We have two options here: to run away or disregard the problem(s) and hope they will go away, or we can remain, fight (if need be) and come up with a solution to problems.

I'm reminded of people who hear a funny noise in their cars that pops up as a problem. Instead of locating the sound and finding a solution to the problem, they turn up their radio or stereo and believe the problem will solve itself. This is delusional thinking. Problems left without solutions become bigger problems.

My perspective is this: there are no problems, only solutions. It makes life easier to navigate. It rids the mind from needless worry and anxiety. It is better to tackle problems than ignore them or worry.

Fear - the lack of trust

Many fear the virus that has changed our lives in dramatic ways. They fear losing their jobs, income stream, friends, family and relationships. Fear comes from the adversary - the devil. He and his minions do not want you to enjoy the life God intends for us.

Instead, that ancient serpent looks for inroads into your mind and life. Of course, one of his favorite ways is deception. He (and the world system which he rules) deceives. Contemporary deceptions in societies today consist of, but certainly are not limited to the following: gender confusion, sexual immorality, abortion (murder of the innocent), compromise to the world system, idolatry and more.

Cowering in fear does not solve problems with apt solutions.

Another type of fear

We need not fear the worldly, but we should fear God. To fear God is simply this: 1. to have a profound respect of the Creator of the universes and His sovereignty; and 2. possess a hatred for sin.

Easier said than done, right?

Our conscience will tell us when you have done something wrong.

God's word

The more we get into the word of God, the more the word of God gets into us and impacts our lives. But you say you don't have 30 minutes a day for this? Interesting! You have 30 minutes for TikTok, You Tube, Netflix, a coffee at Starbucks, playing video games, spending hours on read.cash and pursuing worldly things.

I'm not throwing stones. I am waking you up to reality and reminding myself.

The church at Pergamum

Jesus is the sovereign Judge. He is judging now and is coming again for the final judgment that will determine our eternal destiny. Whether or not one believes this or not makes no difference: judgment is coming.

The church of Pergamum had a huge problem, not unlike the problem we observe today: compromise.

Back in the first century the Roman Emperors were venerated as gods. Additionally, false gods were worshipped as deities. Trade guilds mandated that merchants and buyers alike worship both the Emperor and these false deities.

If a merchant or trader sought to earn income, they had to be participants or face persecution (loss of finances and derision). To be a participant, one was compelled to eat food sacrificed to idols and engage in sexual immorality. Some in the Laodicean church broke weak and worshipped these false deities, much like many worship idols today.

Idolatry

Who or what do you revere? Whom or what you worship is what you become. Many wrongly believe idolatry is the process of worshipping a statue. However, an idol is whatever you place before God. If an idol is your god, it is necessary to conduct some introspection on what you should do.

Are celebrities your idol? Money? Games? Cell phones? Sex? Crypto? Your crush? We can make an endless list of idols! What do you spend the most time focusing on? There is your idol! Jesus explains it far better:

Jesus says: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21, NIV).

What Jesus says

Many get the wrong concept of Jesus, relying solely on His abundant mercy and grace. Far too often people are unaware that God is a jealous God and judges the heart. But listen to what He told the church at Pergamum:

"Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it" Revelation 3:14-17, NIV).

The 7 churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey and Greece) were praised and rebuked by Christ. Jesus speaks the same message to the churches today as well. And by the way, the sword is judgment.

Problems vs Solutions

The problem in Pergamum was compromise, leading some to idolatry, worshipping idols (false gods) and sexual immorality. They valued the world over the Kingdom of God.

The spirit of Balaam was present all over Asia Minor. It is present today. Some people worship false gods, some claim to be Jesus.

The solution Jesus provided was repentance. You see, we can run from our problems in this evil world or face them head on like warriors. God will not force His will on us but He will judge us both now and on that final Day.

In the end, we have a choice between following God in obedience and perseverance or ignoring our problems and lifting up the world as our idol. It's a choice we have to make. Jesus has drawn a red line in the sand. Make your choice today. There is a heaven and there is a hell.