AGAINST THE GRAIN

August 1, 2015

I am intrigued with the term "counterintuitive." It refers to notions which contradict intuition, common sense, or gut feelings. Did you know, for instance, that  "according to the Mayo Clinic, putting ice on a burn can cause frostbite and damage the skin.  For better results, try running cool water over the area and taking a pain reliever. Then cover the area with gauze and put on ointment." I found this out the hard way.  After burning my hand on a hot pan, I did what came naturally to me and covered the burn directly with ice. I then called the medical advice nurse and she told me that I could could really have caused injury to my skin.  Fortunately, with a little prayer, it turned out ok, but I would never do that again. 

Similarly, I find that God's ways are so many times counterintuitive.  For instance, when we are wronged or insulted, our natural reaction is to strike back or seek recompense on our own. The Bible, however, teaches us never to return evil for evil but rather to repay it with good. We are instructed by God to love our enemies, to pray for them and to bless them. 

 Furthermore we are told in God's Word that as we give of our finances and time to the Lord we will receive more in return.   Our inclination is to hold on to our resources for fear of having nothing left, but this not Kingdom thinking. 

  

 "Give and you will receive. 

Your gift will return to you in full - 

pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over and poured into your lap." 

Luke 6:38  NLT 

  In addition, the Bible tells us to: 

" Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, 

whenever you face trials of many kinds" 

James 1:2

 Now that does not make sense to the carnal mind at all. However, the Lord goes on to say that through these trials we are developing faith and Godly character.

What's more, as we trust the Lord with a thankful  attitude, He will work all things out for our good and His glory.

To sum it all up, our ways are not God's ways. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts."  

Isaiah  55:8-9 NIV

It takes prayer, study of  Scripture and harkening to the voice of the Holy Spirit to develop a new way of thinking.  My prayer is that we can all begin to see with God's eyes, hear with His ears, and love with His heart. Only then can we shake off the "old mindset" and live our lives as "new creatures in Christ Jesus,"  bearing much fruit for His Kingdom.

By Cathy Friberg