There are five physical senses: smell, taste, sight, touch, and hearing. Neuropsychologists say thinking is the sixth sense.

Seventh Sense

Christians have been given a seventh sense: spiritual discernment.

“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).

“The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so” (Romans 8:7).

We understand the world differently than non-believers.

Huh?

Have you ever talked with a friend about the Lord, and, even though your friend likes you and was listening, you’ve gotten a blank stare? Yep, me too.

We are to always be ready “to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

While we are responsible to try, there may be no understanding, at least at that time.

And we shouldn’t be surprised. They don’t get it, and they can’t. It takes the seventh sense, spiritual discernment, to understand the things of God.

We must pray that our friends’ minds will be opened, “that that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Christ” (Acts 26:17-18).

Growth in the Seventh Sense

We train ourselves to use our sense of hearing in order to listen better. We train ourselves to notice, using our sense of sight. We learn to think better as we mature.

In the same way, while we, God’s children, have been given the seventh sense of spiritual discernment, our ability grows as we are taught through the word of God. We must hone our gift through increasing in the knowledge of God and practicing the truth.

“Teach me good discernment and knowledge” (Psalm 119:66)

What to do

1) Be grateful. You are saved by a gift of God. Your seventh sense, spiritual discernment, is a gift of God.

2) Don’t be surprised that non-believers do not understand. Pray for them.

3) Diligently study the Bible, pray, and practice walking according to the Spirit.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I–finally—ordered “grown-up bookcases” to replace my college concrete block and board shelves. I carefully measured to maximize the shelf space and pictured how wonderful they’d look.

But I didn’t, not for one second, consider getting the bookcases from the driveway into my study.

The corner unit could not be maneuvered through the hall and into my room.

No way. No how. Nope!

I spent more than a day beating myself up. Why in the world didn’t I think of that problem? It is so obvious. Why in the world didn’t I ask my husband to look at it before placing the order? He would have seen the issue instantly. If only. If only.

Why am I so stupid?

If I stay focused on my error, I lose today’s opportunities. I know I have to find a way to move on. I need to switch from “if only” to “next time.”

I need to learn from my mistake so I don’t repeat it. That’s examining myself.

But then I need to capture that understanding and translate it into the future. Next time I am going to picture the entire process instead of just the desired end result. Next time I am going to ask my husband what he thinks before I place the order.

“…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

For more information about “if only” and “next time,” see pages 247-249 in When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready?

P.S. Thanks to the skill of others, the corner unit was taken apart and put back together in my study. And it looks great.

Driving from a crowded event, a policeman forced me to turn right when I needed to go straight. He didn’t want to hear about my problem. He just wanted me to move on. Humph.

Move on

God said something similar to Moses and to Paul.

Moses really wanted to cross over the Jordan and see the fair land God promised to the Israelites.

“But the LORD…would not listen to me; and the LORD said to me, “Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter.” (Deuteronomy 3:26)

Moses, instead, moved on to what the Lord wanted done next.

Paul had a “thorn in his flesh,” and “implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8)

But the Lord told Paul “No,” and Paul moved on.

Stuck?

Are you hanging on to something when the Lord wants you to move on?

It is easy to be stuck in the past, or be stuck in our dreams of “how it ought be.”

This is not good.

When we’re stuck:

We don’t move on to what the Lord wants next from us. That’s disobedience.

We don’t recognize His love and sovereignty in prodding us along. That’s ingratitude.

Paul

God rarely explains why He says “No,” but, with Paul, the Lord told him “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Paul then rejoiced: “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What am I going to do? What are you doing to do?

Let’s Not Be Stuck

Let’s not be stuck.

1. Let’s praise Him for His steadfast love.
2. Let’s thank Him for continuing to make us more like Christ.
3. Let’s thank Him for new opportunities.

God says to us: Move on, Beloved.

My book is now available through KristinPSnyder.com or Amazon!

When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fearbad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and help them emerge stronger on the other side.

When you are awake in the middle of the night, what are you doing? Worrying? Thinking about what you are going to do tomorrow? Reviewing your “To Do” list? Singing?

Singing?

God gives us songs in the night. (Job 35:10)

Songs in the Night

Songs in the night is God’s wonderful gift for the believer. We can overcome our angst, our depression, our worry by remembering the great things God has done, and singing His praises.

“The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8)

“I will remember my song in the night; I will meditate with my heart, and my spirit ponders.” (Psalm 77:6)

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19)

The Lord sings over us (See The Lord Sings Over Us).

Wakefulness in the night is a great time to sing to Him.

My book is now available through KristinPSnyder.com or Amazon!

When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fearbad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and help them emerge stronger on the other side.

This has been quite a year! And its only summer.

I completed the final edits on my book. My book was released!

I’ve had four eye surgeries and a gazillion doctor visits.

I’m tired. I’m low energy. I’m not getting much done.

At the moment, I’m not even rejoicing that my book was released after 6 ½ years of work. I’m an author! An author! Me! This is definitely something worth celebrating.

At the moment, I’m not even rejoicing that the eye surgeries corrected the underlying conditions and that my vision is improving. What a wonderful blessing! The Lord answered a multitude of prayers. I have so many reasons to be grateful.

Am I too tired to rejoice?

Is Satan trying to steal my joy?

Elijah

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to prepare a sacrifice but put no fire to it. Despite crying and cutting themselves, Baal did not answer them. Then Elijah prepared a sacrifice for the Lord and poured water over the offering and the wood. After prayer, “the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” The people fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, He is God.”

After this dramatic victory, Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life and Elijah ran for his life. He asked the Lord that he might die for “I am no better than my fathers.” (Read the whole story in 1 Kings 18 and 19.)

Depression followed victory. A low followed a high. Valleys come after mountains.

The Lord did three things for Elijah:

1. An angel provided food and water. Elijah slept.
2. The Lord listened to Elijah.
3. Elijah listened to the Lord, who came to him in a gentle whisper.

What we should do

What we should do when we’ve gone from the mountaintop to the valley:

1. Expect it.
2. Remember what the Lord has done for you. Don’t forget the highs.
3. Take care of yourself physically. Practice good nutrition. Exercise sensibly. Listen to music or read. Rest. (See Rest for the Glory of God.)
4. Talk to the Lord about how you’re feeling. Pray.
5. Read the Bible. Listen to Him.

Gratitude

I am so grateful He prompted me to write When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? I’m grateful (and astonished) it has been published.

I am immeasurably thankful my vision has been saved and is improving.

When I pay attention to those five action points, when I praise and thank Him for His blessings, I am reenergized.

How about you?

My book is now available through KristinPSnyder.com or Amazon!

When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fearbad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and help them emerge stronger on the other side.

True or False:

1. I’m a nice person so everyone will like me. True or False?
2. I work hard to get good results so I’ll have a job until retirement. True or False?
3. I’m a good person so I’ll go to heaven. True or False?
4. God loves me so nothing bad will happen. True or False?

Process versus Outcome:

We have responsibility over our thoughts, words, and deeds, but we do not control the outcome.

We can be nice, loving, and giving, and yet the Bible guarantees some will hate us (Matthew 10:22; 24:9).

We can work hard, and even get good results for our companies, but that does not guarantee that we’ll keep our jobs (e.g. James 4:14).

Whatever happens, we continue to be accountable for our own actions.

Presumption

We can keep our own moral code—perfectly, but that does not obligate God to justify us (Luke 18:10-14).

God does love His children with an infinite, everlasting love. But that does not mean this life will be smooth sailing. We are told to expect trouble (John 16:33).

We are encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of our Lord, but that does not mean the path will be easy.

We get into trouble when we presume that, since God loves us, and He does, we will get what we want. We are in a deep pit if we think we can control God. God is not controllable. God works all things after the counsel of HIS will (Ephesians 1:11).

Throughout my eye trouble, I prayed that He would restore my vision. My book was going to be released soon (June 25), I wanted to be able to read it; I wanted to be able to promote it. Surely God wants me to be in service to Him. Surely that means I’ll be able to see. He is a good God. God loves me. He created my eyes. Surely…surely…

God is in control

But, throughout this trial, I was conscious that God would be very bit as loving, very bit as good, if He took my sight from me. If He did that, He would have plans for me to serve Him as a blind person. Honestly, I did not like that alternative, but I determined to trust Him regardless of the outcome.

We are not in control. Repeat: We are NOT in control. NOT! NOPE! NEVER!

But the One who is in control loves us. We can—we must—trust Him.

My book is now available through KristinPSnyder.com or Amazon!

When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fearbad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and help them emerge stronger on the other side.

Are you telling God you can’t do something?

Huh-oh.

When twelve spies, sent into the Promised Land, returned, ten of the twelve spies told the Israelites the people in the Promised Land were too strong for them and they couldn’t take the land.

“We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” (Numbers 13:31)

The people agreed. They didn’t listen to God, but complained and grumbled against Him.

[They] put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice.” (Numbers 14:22)

God responded by letting everyone over 20 (except the two spies who agreed with God) die in the wilderness.

“Your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me.” (Numbers 14:29)

In the New Testament we repeatedly read that someone refused to believe, and would not come to God. “Refused” or “Would not,” rather than “Could not.”

“But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.” (Luke 7:30)

“Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.” (Acts 28:24)

Refusing God has eternal consequences. Instead of dying in the wilderness, those refusing God’s invitation for belief and eternal life will die in their sins.

“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”” (John 8:24)

The Child of God

When we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit, and are enabled to follow our Lord.

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

“Might walk” is an assertion about which there is some doubt or uncertainty. We might or might not walk in newness of life.

Paul says he learned to be content in every circumstance, plenty or poverty, and that:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13)

The message to us is that if God asks us to do something, we can do it. The question is whether or not we will do it. Be clear about whether you’re saying can’t or won’t.

What to do:

When you hear yourself saying, “I can’t,” counter that lie with the truth.

You can forgive. You can be content. You can be thankful.

Determine to obey God.

Ask Him for help in doing so.

Thank Him for His faithfulness.

Say “Yes, I will” to the Lord.

My book is now available through KristinPSnyder.com or Amazon!

When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fear

bad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and helps

them emerge stronger on the other side.

An undergraduate student challenged my comments on health policy. She thought that, because she was going to be a physician, her future was secure with ample income and a great career. She would not entertain any other possibility. And she wasn’t even in med school yet!

She refused to believe her view of the future was not a sure thing.

That was a number of years ago and I still shake my head.

Boasting

The Bible warns us not to pin our hopes on our own views of the future.

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13–16)

While we are admonished to do good works and strive to live our lives for the glory of God, we are not to rely on expected results, but to rely on God and trust Him for our future.

We have responsibility only for our part in the process; God has total control of the outcome.

Worry

Not counting on a good thing has a companion: worry.

Just as we don’t control the good outcomes we work for and might expect, we don’t control possible bad events in the future.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

God is Sovereign

God is sovereign over everything, including our future. What we must do is pray and trust.

Questions for you

Are you relying on a specific future event?

Are you worried about what might happen?

What are you going to do instead?

             My book is now available through KristinPSnyder.com or Amazon!

             When Storms Come: Will You Be Ready? helps Christians not fear

              bad news, shows them how to handle current trouble, and helps

             them emerge stronger on the other side.

To be really free, we must become dependent.

To the world, that is an oxymoron. To Christians, it is the path to joy.

The more dependent we are on Christ, the freer we are. Complete freedom requires total dependence on God.

Dependence, even in this world, isn’t necessarily easy. With my eye trouble, I’ve become much more dependent. My husband has been doing all the driving. Meals in assisted living came on their schedule. Worse, much worse, morning coffee came on their schedule!

Set Free for Dependence

We are set free for dependence on God.

Spiritually, for the child of God, we are set free from slavery to sin at the same moment we become dependent on Christ. Some call this our “Dependence Day.”

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2)

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31–32)

We are saved from the penalty of sin, once-and-for-all, when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

But we are saved from the power of sin gradually over our lifetimes as we learn, more and more, to relinquish every area of our lives to our Lord.

“For you … are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8–10)

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13)

Test

Here is a penetrating test (drawn from the Navigators):

List every area of your life, in whatever detail seems useful to you. For example:

1. Spiritual
2. Bible study
3. Prayer
4. Family
5. Work or school
6. Recreation
7. Finances
8. Health
9. Nutrition
10. Exercise

Then, ask yourself these questions about each area:

1. Am I willing to give this area to the Lord to do whatever He wants? And then praise Him for what He does?
2. Am I willing to do (or not do) whatever He wants in this area?

Joy

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)