Emotional Maturity

Responsibility Matures You

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

 

 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned…For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  Hebrews 6:4-12

Your salvation is a gift from God through the work of Jesus Christ. But what you do with that gift determines your destiny.

The gospel written by John emphasized a deep abiding relationship with Jesus is the doorway to life. As we walk with HIM, imitate HIM, learn from HIM, we become one with HIM. We begin to see the world through HIS eyes. As we grow and mature in the faith, HE bestows more and more of HIS riches upon us. The more blessings HE pours upon us, the more we can bless others with the same. HE is the source of life and purpose in everything we do worth our time and effort.

While as children, we depend on our parents for food, clothing, and shelter. We watch and learn from them how to cope with life. As we grow and seek out our independence, we slowly mature. Responsibility is given to us. As we fulfill our obligations, we gain confidence in our abilities to perform. We then take on more roles which impact the lives of others. Others begin to trust us. We learn to accept the responsibility of being held accountable for results.

Give a person no responsibility, and they will behave like a baby for their entire life. Give a person more responsibility holding them accountable, and they will grow in character. They will also be seen favorably in the eyes of others. People whose walk agrees with their talk are highly in demand. They are mature in their actions. Their service for others is noticed and praised. They don’t need to be told what to do. They are aware of the needs and concerns of those around them. They accept their strengths and shortcomings. Their confidence and assurance lead them to take action whenever necessary.

When a child of God takes up their cross, they are accepting the responsibility of trusting Jesus. As they learn to trust HIM in small ways, their faith grows. As they practice self-denial to follow HIM, they learn HIS Spirit is alive and active in their heart and mind. As trials and tests are thrust upon them, they lean on HIM to walk through the mess. They grow. They mature. They become more like HIM.

Some of us are wired to carry more responsibility than others. Some of us need less responsibility to grow. But we all need to be responsible for the gift given to us. Life is precious. Much prayer is required to keep tuned with the ONE who is maturing us unto eternity. Accept the responsibility of your calling and witness how HE shapes your life. Your destiny awaits you.   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Happy Food?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. Romans 14:20

Food makes me happy. Yes, I have a food obsession.

I eat when hungry. I eat when stressed. I eat when lonely. I eat when bored. I eat when emotionally tanked. I eat when having a bad day. I eat to reward myself. I eat when the goal is accomplished. I eat when I fail to hit the target. When I eat, I am comforting myself for the short term. Yes, I am a food addict.

Been one most of my entire life.

Because of my addiction, I battle to maintain a working weight. The multitude of diets under my belt resemble a train chugging up and down hills. The sweat and energy left behind at the gym is always rewarded with an apple fritter or pound of chocolate. If it wasn’t for the focus and energy expended at work to solve problems and achieve goals, I would weigh three times more. Now retired from the corporate world, the battle continues. Yes, I am a food addict.

Of course, I understand the importance of nutrition. My body type requires a good balance of protein, fiber, and fat. But satisfaction only comes from refined carbs, sugar, and starches. Yes, I’ve tried everything under the sun not to surrender my desire for these. Why can’t I have my cake and ice cream? Why do potato chips and cupcakes taste so good? Why must I deny myself?

Why must I choose?

Yes, I know food is the nutritious fuel the body needs to properly operate. But what is wrong with having an occasional treat?

Nothing unless one is an addict.

God created food for our good. Food is needed to sustain the human body. The problem is not food, but me. There are deep, emotional strongholds buried in the darkish parts of my human psyche which need addressing. Been there most of my life. God knows. The question is do I now confront them or continue to ignore them?

This is not a salvation issue. But a quality of life issue. This is a personal issue between our Lord and myself. His grace is sufficient to carry me through until this race is over. But do I risk the cost of being overweight? The cost of excess fat around my bones? The hardening of the arteries? The numbing of the nervous system?  Why bother? Are we not all going to die once?

But we all know the value of a healthy life until then. To be full of energy. To have a fully functioning mind. To cherish each day without battling the pain and limitations caused by neglect. Why is it so hard to do what you know is best? Why must we battle between short-term pleasure versus long-term gain. Why sacrifice now for a better future that is not even guaranteed?

Yes, I am a food addict. I finally admitted today. They say admitting to the problem is the first step toward healing. We shall see.

For now the journey continues. Let’s see how the Holy Spirit restores these holes within my soul that need healing with His presence.  I’ve tried everything else known by mankind. But now I’m serious. I’m calling on my Creator and Lord to direct my steps, channel my focus, and cleanup my soul. I want to experience life the way HE designed the human body to fully function. Food addiction and all, the battle continues.

I share this with you because we all have deep seated strongholds. Whether its food, relationship, or something else. Now is the time to deal with it. Don’t wait until you are old and regret the price you didn’t pay earlier. I know many people who are retired and paying a deep price for the poor decisions they made earlier in life. Nip your problems when young. Better to sacrifice in your youth. Lay the good foundation. Your future will be much brighter. Your life more enriched. Ask God to direct your steps. He longs to join you on your adventurous quest to the promise land. Just always remember, HIS Grace is always available and enough.   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Love Hurts

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

Job 19:19

All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me.

Psalm 109:5

So, they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:17

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

When you open your heart and invest yourself into the life of another, you may find yourself hurt from the experience. Real, genuine love when put into practice is sacrificing the self for the sake of another.

We love another expecting to be loved in return. But what happens when our expectations are not met?

Job was a wealthy man who gave generously to his family, friends, and those in need. But when he lost his home, business, family, and even his health, his friends and even his wife considered him an outcast. When he needed help at the lowest point of his life, his wife recommended he curse God and die. His small circle of friends visited him preaching religious sound bytes. Instead of extending the truthful love he actually needed at the time, they beat him down further.

The Psalmist complained about those around him who returned his love with hate and the good he did came back with evil replies.

Jesus himself paid the ultimate price. HIS love for others disappeared into betrayal when his disciples fled away as he was taken prisoner in the night.

Yes, when you love others, you risk becoming hurt from the experience. But the risk is the price we pay to experience the greatest high this life has to offer – God’s love flowing in you and through you.

More books and movies have are made under the theme of love than any other. Based on my observations, love is the natural human epitome of experiencing the God-life. When we connect with another person in a way to contribute more toward their well being, we taste the character of God. When we sacrifice our time, money, and resources for their betterment, the feeling and pleasure we receive is another taste of God’s character. And since we are made in HIS image, we get to partake in how HE lives and shares life with others by loving others.

The Bible reminds us that God is love (1 John 4:8). The closer we lean on HIM, the more HIS character rubs unto us. Yet, like HIM, the pleasure of love also has another side – the pain of love.

We see this throughout the Old Testament where God’s people constantly and repeatedly would backslide into rebellion. From Adam & Eve to the startup nation of Israel, and all the people since is a history of blessings and curses in the name of love. God continues to exercise HIS steadfast love toward HIS earthly children. They either passively rebel, or openly rebel against HIM. The history of God’s people is a roller-coaster ride of super highs followed by drastic lows. Yet, every time God is hurt from our responsiveness, he refuses to except the situation. Instead HE moves on to extend HIS steadfast love through other means.

Every time you love someone, the risk is you will be hurt or disappointed. Yet, we are most grateful to surrender any potential pain unto Him who knows such pain – Jesus Christ. Our responsibility is to sacrificially love everyone. Yet be wise. Whether we live or die from such action, we trust God will be with us throughout the process. And that is always a good place to be.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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