This just in from our global online tribe: “I want to have faith, but I feel like I have no control over my future. That I can’t change anything. It’s like I’m powerless and I want to give up. What do I do?
This question has been around since ancient Greece when Aristotle presented the notion of FATALISM–a way of thinking that is antithetical to Christianity because it rejects the promise of Jesus:
“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27
Fatalism removes our personal responsibility by yielding to the false assumption that FATE has already determined what will be. If we fall into this trap, we wait for life to come to us.
Once we take on that waiting posture, the Enemy circles us with his bag of manipulative tricks. One of his favorites is convincing us that we need to escape from reality because, after all, nothing is going to change.
Falling for that, in effect, BLAMES GOD and then sends us to the sidelines without trying to change anything. This is a level of ferocious futility that makes falling under the trance of fatalism inevitable. You know: “Why bother with trying to change things. It’s futile.”
Falling into that trap means we will not partner with God on determining our path and the future God wants for us.
Faith is the opposite of fatalism.
Bible-based FAITH says the future is NOT determined, it’s a choice.
Bible-based FAITH asks us to embrace HIS will for the future.
Bible-based FAITH guarantees that the future CAN be radically different.
This is the fork in our faith walk’s road. Either we choose to say YES and follow God’s will to fulfillment; or we choose to say NO and yield to fatalistic thinking.
We must make the choice that God has laid at our feet and join him in doing HIS will.
Since all humans are drawn toward choosing evil over good and being in OPPOSITION TO GOD, I ask God to help me identify HIS pathway to reconciliation made possible by the death of Jesus and give me the power to make the right choices in life.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you intentionally asking God to remove any fatalistic thoughts about the future?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
