FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL
Written by Deborah
3.26.04
False evidence appearing real can occur when we read about the events in the lives of others and transfer their challenges or difficulties into our own lives. In other words, we allow someone else's reality to become real in our own minds.
I.E.
Another couple's birthfather is filing an appeal-maybe that will happen to us, we just couldn't deal with that situation.
A couple waits a long time to "match"-maybe that will happen to us, oh I don't know if I can wait any longer.
A family adopts a child that has unknown medical needs-maybe that will happen to us, we'd better reconsider adopting a child.
Another couple has unknown medical expenses w/their bm-no way can we handle any unknown financial factors.
A couple successfully adopts but faces job insecurity-maybe we need to stop the adoption process, it's too unpredictable.
Another couple is "matched" and the placement doesn't happen-maybe we shouldn't tell anyone, so we're not embarrassed-bms are too wishy washy.
One couple financially supported a bm to no avail-what a waste, we'll never consider financial assistance for a bm.
Another couple arrives at the hospital and the bms family decides to parent the new baby-we just can't take this kind of stress and pressure anymore.
The list of possible situations is endless, but often adoptive couples accept the challenges and the heartaches of other couples and make them "their own" thus defeating their own adoption success.
RATHER than focusing on false evidence appearing real, which is an acronym for FEAR, we as God's children should obey His Word. Pray for one another, bear ye one another's burdens, but also trust in God for HIS best in His timing. Changing our focus to the COUNTLESS numbers of successful adoptions that had no "glitches" in the process and/or the COUNTLESS numbers of victories over difficulties and obstacles would be to obey God's exhortation.
IF you find your mind facing FEAR about adoption (or anything else) and feel that the challenges of others are real to you-go to God in prayer and expect Him to deliver you, strengthen you and help you. Listen to His gentle guidance and He will HELP you overcome unfounded fears.
False evidence appearing real needs to be acknowledged and dealt with or you will quit. Your mind will become so overwhelmed with FEAR that you will become discouraged and quit. If you quit because of fear, you lose the race of life.
Look, THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE IS ON YOUR SIDE. This GOD OF THE UNIVERSE will help your thought life. NOTHING is too big for Him.
We're all in the race of life everyday. We're in the race when we wake up and how we're going to run that race each day is up to us. As Christians, we already know the outcome-WE WIN! But how we run, how we pace ourselves and/or whether we quit each day is up to us. The race is not against each other, but against our adversary. He knows what his end is going to be and he will do whatever he can to distract you from running a good race each day. If he can "trip" us up and cause us to stumble and/or fall, he's gaining ground and may win the race--that day. "Well, I don't want to be in race each day. I don't want to do this mental work. I don't like to run anyway."
NEWS FLASH! You don't have a choice about being in the race-it is what it is. This is life on planet earth, until Jesus Christ returns. You are in the race-it's a given. BUT how you will run it each day, is ENTIRELY up to you. And some days you're hot on the win and on other days you feel like you're running in oatmeal. HOWEVER, you can still run and keep pressing ahead-with THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE helping you and strengthening you. As you run, false evidence appearing real may dot the scenery and it may even fall into your pathway, but in the final analysis, it's FEAR. Fear is like track cinders in your racing shoes-it causes you to feel discomfort, to stumble or become distracted, and perhaps you even fall. But we can get back up because THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE IS ON OUR SIDE.
As we wake up each day, the race begins and we have a decision to make. Are we going to run the race with THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE BY OUR SIDE or do we choose to run the race alone-against our opponent? If we falter, stumble or fall (sometimes to our knees-usually a good place to be) during the course of our day, do we choose to lift our eyes and receive help from THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE or do we make the willful decision to remain in a slump? The race is still being run-it is what it is-but what do we choose to do? There may be small pebbles in our pathway or there may be potholes to navigate around. We may encounter rough rocks, mud puddles and/or boulders. BUT, since we have THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE ON OUR SIDE, we can get up and press ahead. At the end of the day, with that day's race ended, we can lay down our heads on our pillows and be thankful that THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE was helping us, guiding us, strengthening us and magnifying Himself to us--and then we can rest peaceably with our faith in Him.
When the day starts and when the day ends, when the race begins and when the race is completed--we have with us each and every moment...
THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE ON OUR SIDE!
For more information please read Sacks and Way. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
