Elephants

I recently heard about a psychology term called "learned helplessness". An example is the easiest way to explain the term. When circus elephants are babies, they are chained by their ankle to something too big for them to move. Then when they become adults, all the trainer needs to do is put a rope around the elephants ankle and connect it to a small stake in the ground. Just the presence of the ankle rope makes the elephant think it can't walk away… so it won't even try. This is called learned helplessness. Can you see how this applies to our lives as Christians? When we are re-born, we are to look at the world with fresh eyes. We are to throw away the pre-conceived notions and worldly patterns and habits that we've developed in our pre-Christian life. We're no longer to look at things through the lens of our limited capabilities. Instead we remember that with God, we can do much more than we think we're capable of.

This week, let's pray about the learned helplessness that may exist in us. Is there something God keeps putting on your heart that you are ignoring because you "know" you can't possibly do it? Let's pray to trust God's leading... to throw off the old thinking that keeps us limited. In the process, our faith will grow in leaps and bounds. Ask yourself the following this week (or have some close friends help you assess the following):

1. What is God laying on my heart lately? Am I resisting because of old thinking?
2. Where did I think my walk would be by now?
3. Am I doing things that defy my old thinking?
4. Is my faith steadily growing?

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20b-21

Everything is possible for him who believes. Mark 9:23b

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob