Walking in Reality

What exactly does that mean? All of us would probably argue that we are walking in reality. But I know for a fact that there are many, many people whose minds have shut down to reality. Childhood abuse, trauma, many things contribute to us refusing to face reality. We try to hide from the pain, from the reality of what we have gone through. We run from it, instead of facing it. We try to convince ourselves that everything is fine, that we have overcome and that we can function in life without any hindrances or issues. I know from personal experience. I know the results of trying to live life as if nothing is wrong.

But by the grace of Jesus Christ, I know what it is like to become the person He meant for me to be. It has been a long, hard, rocky road, but I’m on the road to a new life. God dreamed and planned for me when I couldn’t and I am beginning to see those things come to pass in my life. Growing up in abuse didn’t give me much hope in believing there was anything to look forward to. I never really thought about growing up to be a teacher, a housewife or anything else. Having no hope does that to you. It is like having false hope. You dream you can, but in reality, you don’t really believe it will ever happen.

As hard as it is to face some of the things we have gone through, if we don’t, it hinders our life. Having a relationship with Jesus is the key. He still talks to us. He still loves us. He died a horrible death, nailing our sins to the Cross in order for us to be able to have a relationship with Him. He has all the answers. His Word, the Bible, promises us healing, hope, life, forgiveness and so much more. It promises us an eternity with God, with no sorrow and no pain. But we must have a relationship with Him.

That doesn’t mean just going to church. It means a daily walk with Jesus. We talk to Him every day, we read the Bible and study it, and we call upon His Name for every situation in our life. His Word has the answers we need. Going to church without the rest of it, is just going to church. It doesn’t mean we have a relationship with God. If you don’t talk to and relate to those you are in a relationship with, that relationship won’t last long and at the very least, it won’t be a very good relationship. Doesn’t matter if it is with a spouse or parent or friend.

The other thing that will hinder this relationship with Jesus, is whether or not You are using Him or letting Him use you for His purposes. People like me, people that are hurting and broken tend to want to use God. He isn’t a fairy godmother or a genie in a bottle. He is the God of the universe. He created us. We didn’t create Him. I spent years using Him, wanting the abuse to stop and then wanting healed. After coming through all that, I came face to face with the reality that I did not have a relationship with Him. That meant going to hell for eternity.

How do I know that? God told me. After going to church, tithing, reading His Word and praying, doing all the things I mentioned before, He made me realize I was only using Him. I never wanted to be used for His purposes. The Scriptures were only head knowledge to me. I went to church expecting the pastor to lead me, teach me, and enable me to get what I wanted. Yes, that is partly the pastor’s responsibility, but the Bible tells us to work out our own salvation. That doesn’t mean we make up our own religion.

The Bible talks about fruit. Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits… If we are being used by God, we will do the things of God. We will feed the hungry and clothe the naked. We will witness and tell others about Jesus and what He did for us on the Cross. If we have no fruit in our life, we do not have a real relationship with Jesus.

I know I started out talking about facing reality, and it may seem like I’ve switched gears, but not really. Jesus is the reason I was able to finally start being who He meant for me to be. He enabled me to face the hurt and pain and put it behind me. I no longer have to struggle through life, not really being able to function properly. Even though I only wanted to use God, He still brought me through. It is just that I’ve not had any fruit to show for it.

I would encourage you to develop a real relationship with Jesus. God told me one time; “now is the time to be learning My ways before the furnace starts heating up. If I learn His Word and His Ways now, then as the furnace heats up the only thing in me that should be heating up is my praise for God! If I wait until I’m in the furnace the harder that it will be to praise God and the easier it will be for satan to pull me away from God.”

I wish I would have listened. I wish I would have made it right with God before He took me down that long, hard road. It was the road to my healing, but it didn’t go very well. I went through things I would not have otherwise had to go through, and it took longer than it should have, simply because I didn’t want to face reality. I didn’t want God, I just wanted to use Him.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” I realize that some of my articles overlap and I repeat some things, but this has been on my mind and I really want to encourage somebody to make it right with Jesus before it is too late.