“Christianity and Me” might seem like a strange title for a blog post to many people but for me, it’s an every day thing so to write about it is like breathing. The only difference is that this isn’t my private journal. So in that regard, I do feel a little nervous about what I’m about to share publicly.
Here’s the thing… if you have read anything on this blog before, then you already know about Christianity and me. As with many people, for me it’s not a religion, it’s a relationship. I could have called this post “Jesus and me” because it means the same thing.
But the reason for this post is to put up a video. It is my first attempt to share my beliefs in film, so to speak. I want you to know that there’s a place to go when your heart is heavy. You can be lifted up in an instant.
Anxiety, Panic, Fear? Go Deep…
Anxiety, panic and fear are all quite normal – normal meaning human. Even living with the mild form – anxiety - day in and day out is quite human. It’s a natural state of being and it’s very harmful.
I’ve been writing my first book about our natural state of being and what to do about it. I put a little bit of the book’s theme into a short video for you.
Here’s my advice… when anxiety comes, don’t take it in immediately. Filter it. For panic and fear, just think of these as natural, driving you even deeper into another place where there is no fear. I’m talking about being driven deep into the Kingdom of God. It exists here on earth as it is in heaven and we can go there, leaving the cares of this world behind – but only if we filter the natural with the supernatural…
In the chapter “Don’t Panic, I’m Right Here” I talk about this scripture in Philippians4:6-7
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As Christians, we have access to a world of supernatural peace, the Kingdom of God – right here on earth, but we don’t always go there. If you feel a little bit of panic or a LOT, no worries – it’s the temptation to live in it but we don’t have to live there. Instead, let it be a reminder to go deep – in fact, be driven! Be driven deep into the Kingdom any time anxiety tempts you to fear.
In this world of chaos, no one can escape anxiety. In fact, when we feel the panic, it’s just a reminder that we don’t have to feel it, filter it. Remember, filtering life means to go ahead and respond to everything and to every one, let your whole being respond, but let it begin in the spirit.
Filtering panic through your spirit might not be your habit of dealing with anxiety but it can be. We have to practice living in the spirit where Christ is in order for it to become second nature to us.
Remember, Kingdom living means we are living where Christ is. It’s your second nature’s realm. “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation…” The Kingdom of God is a spiritual place on earth that’s like it is in heaven.
The body of Christ is still here on earth. That’s us – the Church. Christians are the body of Christ. That’s why if we feel panic and anxiety and are tempted to fear, if we immediately go to Him, we’re there – in the Kingdom – hearing Him say, “Fear not, for I Am with you.” When you filter anxiety and even panic through the spirit first, then your heart, soul and body respond without it. As a Christian, the Kingdom isn’t just a place to visit. You are married to the King of Kings so it’s home. When afraid, just go home and hear His voice saying, “Don’t panic, My Love, I’m right here.”
Video: Filtering Life
