In the intro to psych class that I do my grad assistant in the professor has been talking about the desire we have to only do things that are acceptable, things that receive a reward or reinforcement of some sort. From young children, we are drawn to act and do things that result in a reward or positive reaction. For example, you know that when you put money into a Coke machine, it will give you a drink. A lot of our behaviors are developed by this need and desire receive acceptance by our actions.
Yes, this is good stuff and even for those who are not psychologist would say, "Yes, I see where this is true." It's not rocket science. But then, the professor added a new twist into this. He stated that we were programed to learn and develop behavior this way, but, Christ asks us to do the exact opposite. Christ tells us that much of what he asks us to do will be reprimanded. So this desire to only act in a way that is rewarded is of the flesh. But what does God tell us about our flesh? "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." Galatians 5:17. "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:8. Well, I'm pretty sure he's telling us here not to listen to the flesh, but to listen to the Spirit. I never thought something like this would be so hard until recently.
I've had a few incidents lately that have taught me that I'm going to be doing what Christ has told me to do but I'm not going to receive positive feedback or positive reinforcement for it from others. It's really hard to do what you know is right but have little support behind what you are doing. The hardest part is how easily you can become discouraged. I've felt a lot of discouragement lately. It's hard to pursue what you love and do what you know is right when you feel discouraged. Then I realized that much of my discouragement comes my need/desire to have other people give me positive reinforcement. I tend to look to others for a positive comment or encouragement because it's extremely helpful for me. The only problem with this is that people are not perfect and they are not always going to encourage the things that God wants us to do. I find myself looking very little for God's encouragement and mostly looking to people for encouragement. This is not good. I believe I've been suffering the consequences that come when you look for your acceptance in others. You begin to feel low about who you are and who God created you to be. You begin to become self-conscious about what you say and what you do with others. Slowly, you begin to cover who you really are in search for being who everyone wants you to be. I've been under that blanket before and I hated it! I don't ever want to cover up who I am again. Yet, it can be an old habit that can easily be reinstated.
I'm currently trying to change the way I handle these moments in my life. I'm trying to change my focus and to focus on the promises of God and turn to the Lord for he is merciful and loving. It's just hard at times. But I'm remaining hopeful. The Lord has promised good thing/ GREAT things to happen this year. I've got to trust that he will get me through this valley, he won't leave me alone.
"He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there, listening." Psalm 22:24 MSG
"Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near." Acts 17:26 & 27 MSG
awesome.
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