Adam and Eve had everything they could have possibly wanted.
God made it so and wanted them to keep it that way. Right in the center of The Garden of Eden was The Tree of Life. Its fruit would continually give Knowledge of Good.
Next to that Life Giving tree was another tree. Its fruit would give knowledge of good and evil. God told them not to eat from that tree.
Adam and Eve got taken in by satan. They ate from the wrong tree. One bite led to another and soon Adam and Eve had too much information. They got confused.
Evil started to look good. Good started to look evil. And the confusion got passed on for many generations to come.
God took Adam and Eve out of the garden far away from the tree whose fruit made them sick.
But satan found other ways to draw humans in, mixing evil with good. We have a tree today, which offers us the knowledge of both good and evil.
It is called the internet. With the net, we can find most anything we want to know and plenty we don't want or need to know.
Being a highly curious person by nature, the net draws me in. But unfortunately, satan uses it as a gateway into my mind and spirit.
My personal weakness is researching symptoms of dread diseases. When doctors label me with something, I feel I just have to know more.
When they don't label me, I am sure they missed something and I look for more information.
Every time it appears I have a match, satan yells, "Right! Absolutely! You figured it out." And thus I convince myself I might have various dread diseases and the outcome will be horrible.
Right next to the internet is the source of all Good. The Tree of Life is God's Word — The Bible. In it are all The Real Truths He wants me to know.
God's Words are alive. Paul said,
"For The Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12
I received a very unexpected diagnosis of an eye problem a little more than a week ago. I have tied myself in knots researching and imagining the worst of the worst.
It has been an intense spiritual battle. This is one of those times having an active imagination does not help me.
In between my trips down the internet highway, I have prayed and searched God's Word for what He wants to say to me. Each time I say, 'What am I going to do," God answers "Trust Me. I have The Plan."
And repeatedly, He has added, "Stop going to the wrong tree. Choose Life, not death. Choose Good, not evil."
James said,
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:5-8
So I am currently trying to kick the habit of cruising the net, collecting bits of information that only adds to the anxiety I already feel.
I am going to The Tree of Life and letting God feed me on His Word. Continued prayers appreciated. I go back to the doctor Wednesday for further diagnostics.
"For I know The Plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
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