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The Fearless Present Moment

The Fearless Present Moment

 

Present-mindedness is non-attachment to the past and future mindset, so that the present moment stands alone. In this, the soul acts in an untainted way that empowers it to manifest a desirable reality.

As I’m learning to engage the present moment in present-mindedness, I’m finding it’s a profound place where the soul and the divine Spirit intermingle to manifest fearlessness that translates into a harmonious reality.

This moment is all there is.

The energetic vibrations we are manifesting, which are determined by the soul’s consciousness, in this moment alter the next and every other future moment. Like a string of screens in a movie, our present moments come and go to shape our life stories. And all that exists is what is on the screen at the moment, and what is happening on the screen determines the next moment.

The soul’s conceptual frameworks, which determine our energetic pulses, govern the images on the screen, like the movie script that directs the images on a movie screen. As conceptual frameworks of divine truth and love alter our state of consciousness, the images of our personal movie are altered. And, present-mindedness is a divine construct that has profound impacts on our present moment.

One of the most substantial implications of this mindset is its interplay with our emotions; specifically it creates an absence of fear. This absence facilitates our ability to choose to act in the intentions of divine love. We possess the intentions; the Spirit possesses the manifestation of divine love through our intentions in his omniscience and grace.

Acting with an intention of divine love in the present moment is the soul’s most powerful tool to create desirable future present moments. As the soul chooses to respond (vibrate) in divine love, which is the highest vibration, versus some other energetic response of a lower vibration, little by little the soul’s experiential present shifts to a place of peace, harmony and love.

An Absence of Fear

The energy of the soul resides on a continuum from the low vibration of fear to the high vibration of love; the highest being divine love.

The soul quality of present-mindedness extinguishes fear. Fear has to do with a future expectation or an assumption based on a past perception. Thus, when we are truly present-minded, we have no fear or its corresponding emotions. This mindset keeps our emotional center in alignment with divine love. The impacts of sending the vibration of love into our soul and reality versus fear are monumental, and when it’s divine love on a constant basis, it manifests regeneration of soul, mind and body into a divine reflection.

Conversely, the energetic vibration of fear creates disharmony in our reality. When we are in fear in one moment, we create disharmony in the following moments. It throws our lives into helter-skelter, which in turns creates more fear. However, as we begin to shift into the present-mindset, fear abates and a more harmonious reality forms.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, becoming permanently present-minded occurs at the inflow of the divine energy, as this elevates us to a consistently higher vibration that enables us to be a present-minded being.

At the inflow of the divine energy, there are four constructs of soul, which develop along the path of enlightenment, that facilitate the soul’s transition into the present-mindedness.

  1. Intentions of divine love toward all of creation all the time.
  2. Non-attachment to transitory expectations.
  3. Ubiquitous child-like trust.
  4. Perceiving the inherent connectedness of all things.

In the present moment, we engage the Spirit of God whose core attribute is divine love. As we grow in awareness of this love, our understanding assists in eradicating fear from our perceptions, which facilitates our movement into a state of present-mindedness. In the counsel of the Spirit, we learn that everything is under his perfect orchestration, and that all is serving the highest good. Through this awareness, we can let go of our transitory expectations of how we think our life or we should be, and we learn to trust in his sovereign craftsmanship in all the details of our lives.

As we act according to these four constructs, elements of fear cease to be created in our reality, which allows us to continue to act in less and less fear until all that remains is love. As this cycle of love replacing fear continues, it eventually pushes out all fear; like light filling the darkness. In this, our reality possesses nothing to prompt fear, and we abide in a fearless present moment.

The Place of the Divine Self

In present-mindedness, we are our true self, our divine self. And in this mindset, we are also true to our divine self. It’s where the Spirit of God connects with our divine self, thus it is where oneness with the Spirit of God is found. In spiritual practices, the soul is seeking to abide in this space. And while it is fleeting during our soul journey through mortality, it becomes our resting place in divinity.

In mortality, the soul possesses a dominating past-future mindset, thus we experience our false self, which is largely driven by fear. Contrary to our true divine self, in fear we suppress, oppress, pretend, compromise, build walls, and satisfy ego to alter our true self for fear’s sake.

When we are true to our divine self, our inherent purpose is discovered. This isn’t being true to the lies and illusions that we’ve held from childhood, but true to our unique individuality as a purposeful creation of God. When we reside in this place of personal integrity, we create individual splendor for we are in alignment with our unique purpose that only we possess and only we can express. Being present-minded enables us to be true to our divine self so this self can manifest.

Abundance in the Present

In present-mindedness, we experience connectedness and unity; to ourselves, to God, to others, and to creation. In the past-future mindset, we experience a myriad of states of separation because we are mentally in the unreal; in our imaginations. The more disconnected we are from the present, the more separation we experience. Connectedness leads to abundance and separation leads to lack, in a variety of ways.

For example, in present-mindedness we are connected to the harmonic flow of creation that is designed to help us become who we are intended to be. Our Creator constructed this reality to shape us into divine souls of his reflection. He is for us, not against us. He created us to be in a creative relationship of love with himself. It’s our fear that works against us. When we act according to who we are intended to be, we find increasing growth, contentment, and harmony. When we act contrary, we hit roadblocks. It’s reality’s way of telling us we need to realign and get back on track. Fear is a main reason we get off track because it causes us to do what we normally wouldn’t do, which in turn manifests disharmony in our lives.

Also, in this mindset we are open to the provisions we do have instead of focusing on what we don’t have; because the wanting mind is a future mindset. Thus, we are mindful and able to be responsive to what the present offers, and in responding we experience an organic growth and expansion to our lives. This focus on what we do have creates a mindset of gratitude. Because gratitude creates a high vibration, in this soul state, we manifest more to be grateful for as it creates harmonious ripple effects.

Finally, in this mindset that is absent of fear, we respond as we need to in the moment. This timely and honest response keeps us on the path of our true purpose and being true to ourselves instead of in the throws of the false self, thus a satisfying and abundant life.

A life without fear is an abundant life and becoming present-minded is a significant part of this life’s manifestation. It’s a very powerful state of mind that is established through oneness with our Creator.

John 10:10  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

 


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Fear Riding on my Shoulders

Fear Riding on my Shoulders

 

This last week as I started to venture down new paths, fear started banging at my back door.

When I examined my heart, I found doubt. I doubted the power of God in my life. Not His power, but in my life in this area. After all He has done . . . after all His confirmations, encouragement and help, I doubted. After all He has done in other areas of my life, which has been truly tremendous, I doubted. Memories of past failures crept into my life. Times where I started something but it never quite made it. Times where I was like a ship prepared to sail but never caught the wind. What if that happened again?

This morning during my quiet time I poured out my heart to God. I laid out my fear before Him and in the stillness and quietness, He spoke to me:

This is not your work it is mine. And I will complete it to the end. Your failures before weren’t failures but were what you needed to go through to come to me. You were always mine, but you didn’t know it. You needed to walk a path that unsatisfied you and left you empty to prompt you to seek me. Don’t fear. I’m with you. Forget the past, push forward with me knowing you don’t walk alone anymore. I’m with you until the end. Don’t give room to this fear. Fill that space with my promises; 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ezra 8:22, Psalm 46:1. Just be who you are and let me do the rest. I will work in and through your life according to my purposes. Walk by my still waters and green pastures and be at rest. You are in a different place now – in my kingdom. Life isn’t like it was before when you walked without me and without my power. Trust me. Walk with me. I will show you my power in this.

With His words filling my ears, I realized my fear wasn’t real. It came from a dead past. When emotions like this arise that aren’t based on truth, it is our enemy warring against us. Whether, it is an external enemy or an internal one, seeking God’s face and truth is the answer. Fear is a successful tactic to keep us from moving forward. Whatever God is calling you to – embrace it as His will that will be done. Fill the spaces of fear with His promises. Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing His power in your life because you listened and followed fear instead of Him.


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Irrational Worry

Irrational Worry

Worry, a child of fear, is a rancid thief to life. It robs us of the abundant life God desires to give us because we are focusing on a fearful future and missing out on all that what we have right now. Most all of us get caught in worry’s snare. But when you stop to consider it, worry is completely irrational for a child of God.

Our lives change moment to moment. What happens in this moment affects the next. This week I got a cold. Needless to say many of my plans got cancelled yet on the other hand other things like rest, which is always needed, filled my week. Before I got a cold, I was a bit concerned (nice phrasing for worry) about getting all done that I needed to. That worry was a waste of time, because my cold changed everything – and of course it all worked out and I learned some good lessons along the way. These moment to moment changes happen all day long. So how can we worry about a future that we have no idea what will be because we don’t know what each moment will bring?

Because God is in control of our lives and loves us more than we can fathom and wants the very best for us, worry is a waste of time for a child of God. When I lay out my heavy concerns before God, the answer never comes as I expect. Sometimes, it seems I am moving further from it being answered or not moving at all. However, when look back on what I have laid at His feet; He started answering that prayer the day I asked. But the string of events to the answer was not only ones I never had predicated but also they brought a complete and perfect answer. His answer was what I truly wanted and much more. We forget that God loves us and truly wants our best so we get concern, anxious, and worrisome. Yet, every time, He gives me much more than I even knew to ask for. In addition, each step that He lead me through to the answer served a significant role – like teaching me things I needed to learn and bringing me closer to Him.

Each moment puts us in a different place. Everything that happens changes the future and leads us to where God wants us to be and where we truly want to be. He may be putting challenges or issues in our lives because those are the very things take us where we truly desire.

Because what happens in the next moment changes the next and so on, worrying about the future that we in no way can predict because we aren’t in control and we don’t know what each moment will bring is irrational. We have to put our expectations aside and be in the moments listening and trusting His guidance in our lives. Not trying to predict our future, which we can’t.

But not worrying isn’t easy, because fear is one of our greatest enemies. How do we not to worry? Remember it is irrational. But more importantly, trust that God is attending to each concern. Trust God to work in the moments to lead us where we want to be, because that is what He is doing. Trust His path and not what we think it should be. Trust that He truly loves us and wants our best like He says He does. Trust Him that He won’t let us screw things up.

How do you get this ability to trust? From abiding in His Word and cultivating an intimate relationship with Him. Yes, this trust takes time. But instead of giving precious moments of our lives to worry, give those moments to Him by drawing close, to know and trust Him.

Psalm 20


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The Power of Illusionary Fear

The Power of Illusionary Fear

 

Friday morning during my quite time, the slight hum of a lawnmower drifted into my window followed by the smell of fresh cut grass riding the Santa Ana breeze. As the sounds and smell resurrected memories that took me back to my childhood, my flight came to a screeching alt. The sound of scurrying little feet stumbling over toys whipped my head around only to see Sophie’s tail disappearing behind the corner. The unidentified sounds enhanced by a gardener passing by the window carrying a huge garbage can were a little too much.

Sophie

Sophie

Her response reminded me of us. Fear consumes us and we run and hide when in reality we are in our Father’s presence safe and protected. Though it is irrational, it feels very real and propels us into a reactive flight or fight mode. Here was Sophie in this well built solid house with me protecting and watching over her and she acted like she had no protection at all. She had absolutely nothing to fear, but that wasn’t her view of the situation.

Often fear grips us when in reality we have nothing to fear because God is by our side as our shield, protector, and defense. Most of the time our fear is just as irrational as Sophie’s. We are in our Father’s presence. One who is powerful and mighty and for whom nothing is impossible and we are acting like He isn’t there at all or He has no power (at least in our lives).

We respond according to our beliefs. Sophie believed she was in danger so she ran, hid, and cowered. But her belief was wrong. Often when we experience fear it is because lies are taking over. We believe God can’t or won’t provide, protect, deliver, protect, or redeem. But, the truth is we have God and all He is by our side every moment of every day. And if you have God Almighty by your side what could you possibly fear?

Those of the world are at the whim of the world and their fear is more justified. Walking without God, they lack the safety we have. But we are no longer mere men but God’s children, and now most of our fears are unrealistic. We are under the shield of Almighty God. So why are we cowering? Running? Hiding? Do we believe God is who He says? Do we believe He truly cares for us? If we give that fear creditability then like Sophie that is what we will experience and not His peace, comfort, mercy, and love that is there for us.

‘Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

It is true the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. And we should fear it because the unnecessary havoc and anxiety it creates in our lives. Fear leads us further away from where we want to be. It is debilitating. It leads us to the wrong actions, it shuts down opportunities we would have had, and it puts unnecessary angst on us and others. It is a powerful emotion in our lives and when it is misplaced it takes us exactly where we don’t want to go. Our beliefs and thoughts are very powerful. God created them that way so that our beliefs in Him would be powerful. This is why God so adamantly tells us to trust and believe His truth and not someone else’s. His brings life and all others bring death.

Fear counters trusting God. You can’t trust God and be consume with fear. When I tried to pick up Sophie and assure her all was safe she leaped out of my arms. When we fear we jump out of our Father’s embrace. Though He is still there and wants to comfort and assure us, we are too consumed with fear to experience His comfort. We mistakenly think He doesn’t care or isn’t there. He is always there for His children; but we aren’t trusting in what He is giving us – Him.

I have wasted huge chucks of my life on unnecessary fears. And though irrational fear still grips me in moments of doubt, I am finding it is happening less and less as I draw near to God. Drawing near and knowing Him leads to trust and trust dispels fear.

What fear has you in a death grip? Consider God’s promises and mediate on His Word, is it rational in light of His truth or are you acting like Sophie?


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Discouragement Reframed

Discouragement Reframed

Mad

Mad

Sad

Sad

Scared

Scared

There is a psychological paradigm that classifies our emotions into four main categories: sad, mad, glad, and scared.

Discouragement falls somewhere among mad, sad and scared.

Mad because life isn’t going as we want, sad because life is failing us, and scared because we feel out of control.

Discouragement seems less like a carnal reaction than say envy, but giving into bouts of frustration puts a wall in the midst of our oneness with God.

Discouragement is unmet expectations. In the mindset of the flesh, we are in control and when things don’t go our way we get frustrated. We expected to be a better person or to act a different way. We expected someone else to respond differently. We expected a situation to turn out one way and it did another. As a result, out of our mouth spew complaints, the fruit of discouragement. Complaining results from our decision that the person, situation, or ourselves should be different at this moment in time. Says who? Us? Are we in charge or God?

This emotion is a hard one to face. We don’t like it when someone tells us we shouldn’t be discouraged. We feel it is justified and unavoidable because of our situations. That life has treated us unfairly so we deserve to be at least a little discouraged. We all go through trying situations, but it is how we respond to those situations that makes the difference between living a life unto God and unto ourselves.

It’s about perspective. A bout of discouragement is the response of our flesh (our carnal self) to a situation that throws us for a loop. Conversely, our spirits (new life born of God) see the same situation as an opportunity to depend upon God, to witness His power, and to learn to live in His strength not ours. The latter perspective infuses truth, power, and hope into what is happening.

The ability to approach a situation with a spirit mindset is based on a deep understanding of who God is and who we are in Him. So, the purpose of tough situations is to deepen our understanding and trust in God. If we respond in faith, He uses them for good to create intimacy and oneness because they increase our trust in Him. When we feel the onset of discouragement, we need to dig deep into God’s truth, our faith, because we are presented with an opportunity to enter into a deeper level of spiritual maturity.

These situations are not only to enhance our faith in Him but our faith is the way out of discouragement. By believing and clinging to our new life, we abandon the flesh mindset leaving it powerless.

Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul’s phrasing of putting on is an action we do. It suggests we have a choice to make. It is a decision we make at a given moment. But what gives us the ability to make that decision is a lifestyle of being in the Word that increases our knowledge that increases our trust, and creates expereineces to solidify that trust. Then when the moment arises we’ll be able to respond as spirit beings lacking nothing and not mere men.

We will get discouraged. We are growing in the spirit and we aren’t perfect yet, but we are to push forward, renew our minds, and implement the little faith we have to grab a hold of the truth of who He is and who we are in Him. As we do those situations that once caused discouragement will start to manifest praise.


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Living Free Because of Christ

Living Free Because of Christ

 

In Ginny Owens’ song Free, she sings we have been made free. Free in every way including free to dance without concern or worry because of God’s great love toward us. Yet, how many of us experience this light heartedness on a daily basis that moves us to dance before our Lord like King David? 2 Samuel 6:14 “Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.”

Jesus Christ came to set us free. Isaiah 61:1 Not only did He bring freedom from the bondage of sin and its penalty of death, but also He brought it to every area of our lives. Freedom from troubles, afflictions and fears. Psalm 34:4, 17, 19  Freedom from worry, anxiety, and concern. Matthew 6:25-34  Freedom from proving, earning, and striving for internal wholeness. Colossians 2:10 And so on.

The freest people in the world are those who are completely surrendered to God. Sounds like a paradox, but I have found it true in my life. When we believe, trust and live by the ways of God we experience freedom for our souls. It is God’s design. We follow Him and we live free. All this world offers puts us in bondage in one way or another because it is counter to the ways of God. Only living in God’s truth do we experience true freedom. Most believe the opposite is true. That He binds us to rules and regulations. But this is not the God I have met.

Take a glimpse at what God does for us:

Changes our circumstances to help us
Moves the minds and hearts of others in our favor
Gives us purpose, value, meaning
Opens doors, closes doors
Heals us, blesses us
Renews our minds to what is true and real
Gives us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind
Fills us with His love to pour into others
Delivers us from poor decisions
Gives us mercy for our foolishness, gives us what we don’t deserve
Defends, protects, and delivers from the evil plans of others
Makes our paths smooth
Fights for us
Gives us insight, direction, counsel
Provides for our needs internal and external

As for His rules, they all boil down to love. True love doesn’t bind, but frees. Oppressive rules and regulations come from man’s ill attempt to speak and work on God’s behalf to control others.

There is nothing God won’t do to bring about good in our lives if we seek, ask and trust. Psalm 84:11 God is in control of everything, therefore there is no limit to what He can do for us in any given circumstance. Tremendous freedoms come when we aren’t limited to ourselves or others but have God on our side working for us.

The main hindrance to living free outside of lack of knowledge is trust. Trust is the result of continually seeking Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. It is born out of an intimate relationship with Him; a relationship that requires time, attention and devotion to nurture. When I feel the weight of a chain wrapped around my ankle keeping me from dancing, I know it is because of lack of trust. God is on my side. What do I have to fear or be worried about? Is His love to small or His power to weak? The truth is in my mind but it has yet to fully become my truth, because when it is mine I am free.

My husband said trust is like a light shining into our souls that extinguishes fear. Trust and fear can’t coexist at any one time and fear is the core emotion that keeps most of us from dancing. Because we have lived for years in a reactive mindset of fear, it is easy for this habitual response to take over.  Though it may sneak in we no longer have to succumb to it.

Our response to its invasion? Abide in His truth. As we continue to fill our minds with His Word we will start to think and respond differently. For seven years, I have been intimately seeking God in His Word. He has dispelled many fears, worries, and afflictions. What lingers is a remnant of what once was. Though fears still creep in they are fewer in number and less powerful than they use to be. I have found the path to freedom to conqueror what remains – abiding in His presence in His Word.

For believers, fear is an illusion. The truth is we are in the palm of a mighty, powerful God who loves us beyond measure. He desires to show Himself strong to those who are loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:7 He desires for you and me to know Him as God in our lives. He wants to show Himself to us, but He wants us to seek Him with all our heart, soul and mind. When we seek our trust will grow, His promises will manifest in our lives, and we will dance with all our might because we are living free in the arms of a mighty loving God.

2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect.