If you have ever had your car windshield crack, a sudden leak in your kitchen plumbing, a close friend or relative unexpectedly become seriously ill, or some other dark scene from a nightmare shows up, you probably feel like a yellow “do not enter tape” or a “detour” sign has been posted on your life.
 
When all kinds of other “kooky stuff” happens over which we have no control, fear and anxiety immediately emerge and you question what else could possibly go bonkers. 
 
One of the repetitive questions is, “Why me?” 
 
Someone might answer, “Why not you?”
 
Since man has free will and the ability to make choices, the essence of Godly love has chosen afflictions to bring about sweeping changes in our personalities toward His Divine will. 
 
Individual afflictions, national afflictions (wars), persecution and antagonism toward our faith in Jesus Christ, are the primary categories of afflictions. A few of the well-recognized individual afflictions are illness, poverty, oppression of the weak, and conquests. 
 
Compared to a refiner’s fire, God uses afflictions to purify and remove the impurities, the garbage, the trash, and the debris in each soul. Most important is that all these afflictions become subordinate to God’s grace (His undeserved favor) which is active and powerful to overcome any affliction through Christ.
 
To many, the idea of afflictions being a form of God’s love is way over the top with no foundation of truth. But the solid cornerstone of this truth rests in God’s Son. 

Jesus was the visible profile of the servant who withstood and overcame the afflictions of individual suffering, national afflictions (war between Jews and Gentiles), and persecution and antagonism for having faith in His Father’s plan to bring freedom to mankind. 
 
Strengthening yourself mentally and emotionally against afflictions will not be a cakewalk. It will require patience and determination of the will with expectancy and hope. Avoid whining at all costs; pity parties always bring uninvited guests, e.g. oppression, depression, fear. It may seem as if your circumstances are not getting better, or they may appear to be getting worse, but hang in there and keep relying on and thanking God for making you a winner! (1 Corinthians 15:57) 
 
Statistics say it takes 1 to 3.3 billion years for a natural diamond to form. Yes, diamonds can be man-made, but they will never be as valuable as natural diamonds, nor will they be as durable. By comparison, look on the bright side. You can look forward to a much shorter growth period!
 
Always give your cares to Jesus, and trust in His faithfulness despite our unfaithfulness. (I Peter 5:7) Remember, the Love of the entire universe abides on the Throne and Jesus Christ is still Lord! (Ephesians 1:3)

During the holiday, the iconic, fictional story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer once again surfaced as part of the holiday festivities.
 
This story has a happy ending despite its gloomy beginning for Rudolph being heckled, shamed and treated as an outcast. When an unexpected storm throws the sky into darkness, Santa’s promise to deliver presents is endangered. Rudolph becomes the unlikely hero when his nose lights the way for Santa to fulfill his journey and bring presents to children.
 
Sadly, expressions of shame and guilt directed at us and others, rarely have a happy ending. If we are truly honest, all of us have committed acts during our life journey that are not something we wish to discuss or want exposed. Even worse, we attempt to grade any one of them as better or more terrible than another. What a waste of time! How can you grade awful? The by-product of this behavior is condemnation and judgment. These hidden acts are not merely matters of outward activity, but they are a blight on the soul of the inner person. They become the consequences of our physical acts.
 
Far too often we fail to forgive ourselves or blame others. Like the Pharisees and scribes in the Old Testament, attitudes of self-righteousness, jealousy and bigotry may also encourage others, including loved ones, to remind us of our uncomely acts (past and present). Such a hateful practice triggers shame, fear, and prolongs forgiveness of self. A feeling of poverty and overwhelming guilt creates a vicious cycle like being on a continuous treadmill, but never reaching a goal. It is a resting place for death.
 
Fear is the foundation that feeds on the dead bones of our missteps.
God, on the other hand, provides a self-sacrificing love on which to dump our mistakes and skeletons. Jesus spoke of himself as “life” and offered an “abundant" life free of condemnation and tribunal judgment by another who has ‘stuff’ in his/her soul. (John 10:10; John 14:6; Romans 8:1)
 
This bountiful life requires an obligation by the individual to commit his/her will and accept God’s power that overcomes the contamination humanity has created.
 
We are light years from ever being perfect, so why not live out our journey in Him! Let God empty your closet! His love always seeks the best for humanity and is not influenced by worldly wealth, politics or social demands.
 
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus!”

As of late, our current environment has been dominated by the realities of captivity and freedom.
 
Captivity reflects the universal and ancient practice of forcibly deporting people to a place or land foreign to their current existence. The treatment of captives is often characterized by cruel and barbaric acts. Captivity essentially amputates the freedom, free will, and choice of another. In other words, the captive becomes a prisoner or slave.
 
Although we frequently associate captivity with the activity of humans against humans, captivity frequently involves being held prisoner by personal bondage. Debt, drugs, sex, lust, greed, your mind, girlfriend, boyfriend--even a husband or wife. One more credit card charge, one more feel-good moment, one more puff, and we are captured. We can become so immersed in any one of these activities that we begin to accept them as a natural part of living. We accept our status as bond slaves.
 
Unbelievably, we all have split personalities. That is part of our spiritual inheritance caused by original sin. This trait makes all of us capable of committing heinous acts. Like the 1900s folktale of the Punch and Judy puppet show in which a continuous battle raged between husband and wife, there is a continuous battle raging within our souls which may be compared to captivity versus freedom.
 
God has given each of us a personality that allows freedom of choice. We can choose to live in complete opposition to God’s perfect will and resist His goodness available to our imperfect natures. Sadly, when we make this choice, we deprive ourselves of all His goodness and freedom obtained for us by His son, Jesus Christ. Genuine freedom rests in Him. “Whom the Son has set free, is free indeed.” (John 8:36)
 
Because choosing to remain free in Christ is not always popular, you will face opposition. Courage will be your faithful companion to remain steadfast in your choice. God commanded Joshua to never fear or be worried because He was always there. (Joshua 1:9)
 
As the holidays approach, we should rejoice in the knowledge that we are not bound by captivity, and that no human should control our freedom. Neither should we permit the personal bondages of this three-dimensional world to imprison and enslave us.
 
We can choose to live in freedom, through faith and hope in the greatness of Christ that is within us.
 
MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS OVERFLOW WITH LOVE, JOY AND PEACE!