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For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26, NKJV)
My oldest has had a rough couple of days. He’s going through a growth spurt and every time he has, in his whole short life, there have always been emotional and behavioral “signs” that accompany that physical growth.
I’ve mentioned previously that he’s scared of having another seizure. So, as I’ve been trying to calm these fears, I’ve asked him to reflect on what we’ve learned at church.
The kids hear me all throughout the week – and especially on Sunday mornings before services – telling them that we need to focus our thoughts on Jesus. It’s His special day. I believe that our worship should be externally focused – praising God, and not “what did I get out of being here?” And, I do think that our faith is not a passive one, though many allow it to stop there, as the old Christian one-liner says, “Instead of “Standing on the Promises”, many are just sitting on the premises!” However, at some point, we have to assimilate all the things we see, hear and read, and allow it to translate into active faith.
So, I’ve been challenging my son to use the times that he’s scared to put all he’s heard into action. I’ve reminded him of 1 Peter 5:7:
Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you (NCV).
Another memory verse that we reviewed was Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (NKJV).
I told him that when he is rally frightened, he should replace the scary or worrisome thoughts with things that fit the categories in Philippians 4:8. We created a long verbal list of things that are true, good, lovely…Things he loves to do that are fun, wholesome and make him happy. In addition, we talked about things that make God happy, so he can think about those, as well.
Hopefully, these thoughts are helping to create in him an active faith that will sustain him for the rest of his life.
Photo credit: Stock Xchng
