It's a scary world, after all.

Our world is scary. I was reminded the other day of how unsafe our world is and how disturbing things can be. Planet Earth is a beautiful planet, but boy is it messy. The people on planet Earth are beautiful, but boy are we messy. I'm not referring to physical messiness (but we are pretty messy that way too...just look at my room!). I'm referring to how (yeah, I'm gonna just say it) screwed up we are! There is so much evil and perverted, twisted, things in our world. It is sad that a girl cannot walk alone without being in fear of someone attacking her or taking advantage of her body. It is sad that there are so many children who come home to parents who are high. It is sad that so many men do not feel adequate to be a man because no one ever affirmed them that they have what it takes. It is sad that so many people do not feel loved. So many people do not know that they are loved! That hurts my heart (as cheesy as that sounds). So many people do not know that they are loved...this phrase continuously crosses my mind and blows it away. How can that be? Every single person ever to exist is loved (by people here, but even more - by the creator). Yet, so many people struggle to believe it. And some, do not even know it. Can we just tell (even one) person each day that they are loved!? Maybe that can be my new goal. And actually, it doesn't have to be everyday (but that would be awesome). I do know that the Holy Spirit will nudge us to tell a person that they are loved at just the right time, place, and...to someone who really needs to hear it. Although, I've gotta say - I think everyone could be reminded that they are loved (I know I need reminded at times too). I'll start now - You. Are. Loved.

And please, please, believe those three words in bold. My heart would not hurt if it were not true. It hurts because it is true and so many people either do not know it, forget it, or do not believe it. So many things in this world tell us otherwise (that's just one way our world gets messy).

I feel that I need to leave this post on a happy note. Y'all ready for this?
Y o u. A r e. L o v e d.

A Beautiful Command

One of the coolest phrases (at least, I think so) from the bible is this: Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" - Mark 9:24


When I first read that, I was enthralled by it. And ever since then, I find myself saying it to God whenever I have doubts about life, God, His will...etc.


The phrase is beautiful (and seems like an oxymoron - I love those hah). It is beautiful because while the person saying it asks God for help with his unbelief, he has belief (enough belief to ask God for belief). Commanding God to do something might seem odd or crazy, but a command like this is beautiful because it is a genuine plea for God to do his will. God wants us to believe and have faith in him and when we ask for something like that, he will give it to us.


I was contemplating  (a dangerous past-time resulting in over-thinking & a headache) on this phrase...and I thought of it this way: "I have faith, help my unbelief."  So...the person has faith in God to overcome his unbelief. And then, I thought of if this way: "I believe, help my lack of faith." So...the person believes in God...and asks for faith in him. Faith and believing in something are very different. Satan believes in God...but does not have faith in him (clearly). One can believe that the chair in front of him exists - but does he have faith in the chair to hold him up? So, with all of this, I was trying to decide where each word (faith & belief) should fit into the phrase because I enjoy over-analyzing things which drives everyone else crazy and leaves my brain thoughtless for my actual school work. 


Okay...so, with much thought and writing, I finally decided to conclude that the best order depends on the situation. If someone is in a state of doubt about God's existence and says, "I believe, help my unbelief," he is basically saying that he has faith in God's power to overcome his doubts (his unbelief). However, if someone exclaims the oh-so beautiful phrase because he lacks faith in God, he is saying that he believes in God and needs faith in him also. 


Oh hey, it just keeps going in circles...because if someone has faith in God...he must believe. Right? So...it depends on what type of doubts...and now my brain is confused and no longer wants to process anything. So...I am finished with my analytic ranting.


When it all comes down to things, the phrase is beautiful and I say it to God a lot; it helps me. I encourage you to try saying it to God whenever you doubt his existence, his power, your identity, and so on. Also, the wording in the bible is good just the way it is - it gets the meaning across.