Psalm 4 Changing Your Thinking

The process of transformation is always marked by upheaval. This is the challenge of the intermediate seeker, one who has successfully begun to re-orient their life towards God. Just as the death of the seed precedes the growth of the sprout; there must be a death of the old ways of being, so that the new can emerge. We often do not understand the changes taking place, so that the appearance is that there is chaos in our lives. None of the things that we used to rely on work anymore. When we try to help we end up making things worse. Even our valiant attempts to pray more faithfully seem fruitless.

 When we face these challenges, we must trust that Spirit will take care of it. First we should deny that any external situation or circumstance has power over us, regardless of appearances. It is critical that denial come first, because Truth cannot be incorporated into a warring consciousness. Second we must affirm the presence of God in our lives and all circumstances and know that all is perfect and well. It is important not to become attached to specific expectations; we need just know in our heart that all is well.

Once we have begun this transformation it becomes easier to accept deeper Truths. The light of understanding always brings positive changes in the subconscious. But it is critical that we understand that these changes deep in the subconscious only happen through the help of Spirit (You have put gladness in my heart), we cannot do this of our own will. When we get silent and find communion with God, we allow all external, outer concerns to drop and we find the answers to all of our challenges (for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety). Faithfulness precipitates order in our lives because rather than fighting the flow of Spirit we surrender our will to It.

And so it is! Amen!