Numbers 13:33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
“Worrying is your imagination used wrong.” – Jeremy Hansen
Imaginations can take us downhill and drive us into the dunghill when belabored by fear and frenzy. Worry is the misuse of the gift of imagination. A habit of allowing ourselves to worry can create fearful images in our head. Many are under the illusion that if we prepare for the worst (especially during uncertain times), it helps with getting through stressful phases. Studies prove that ‘preparing for the worst’ and imagining catastrophe does not help. It is a wrong delusion to put your brain and body under stress with vain imaginations as a defense mechanism. Imagining the worst only makes us more anxious and dilutes faith, trust and confidence in the Lord.
The Israelites were at the brink of victory to inherit the Promised Land when false imaginations destroyed their destiny. Twelve men went to spy the land. Ten came back with distorted imagination and two came with implausible images of triumph. All twelve saw the Nephilim/giants who lived in the land. The ten saw themselves as tiny ‘grasshoppers’ before the giants but Joshua and Caleb saw the giants as ‘grasshopper fries’ on their plates. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:9). While Caleb and Joshua pictured devouring the giants the others saw themselves butchered by the giants.
We have to imagine victory based on the promises of God before we can be victorious. If fear and failure are going to be building blocks of our imagination, we are sure to fail.
Worry paints the wrong picture:
1. Small: The world will look at us the way we look at ourselves. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer. The ten spies did not talk to the giants. They only looked at them from a distance but in their imagination they saw the giants masticating them. Be big on the inside then, no ginormous giant or monstrous mountain can intimidate you. The one in us is bigger, mightier and greater than the malicious defamers around us.
2. Superior: No one is born with a complex but childhood traumas, ill comments and constant criticisms can leave us with a mediocre mentality. Break the inferiority complex by proclaiming the promises of God. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9). Our aptitude, affluence or ability does not make us superior or inferior. We are superior by adoption into the family of God.
3. Significant: Our significance comes from the Lord. Successful people see themselves thrive but the significant help others to flourish. Our calling is to be significant, not just successful.
Our imaginations dictate our victory.
1 John 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Prayer: Father God, teach me to put the gift of imagination to the best use to paint the picture of victory and success. Amen
Leave a Reply