I've come to realize that I have let others do a lot of my thinking for me all of my life. First my parents (and grandparents), and then my husband. From religion, raising children, housekeeping, politics, right down to what food tastes good and what does not. And opinions about other people. Not that anyone was necessarily telling me what to believe, just that they did not understand how anyone could correctly believe otherwise. And I usually chose to take their opinions as my own. Simply because I'm not good at debate. Or because I didn't have all the facts. Or because I couldn't bring myself to argue. Because it was easier. Because I wanted to be the "good" girl and wife and even a "good" Christian.
I realize that I have very few opinions that are my own. What is my opinion, and what is someone else's opinion that I just think is mine, because that person stated it so forcefully and with such belief?
I said in an earlier post [Freedom], "the price is worth it, but only if we take advantage of the freedom that we gain.... If we reject those advantages, we reject the sacrifice of those who paid the price."
God doesn't want us to live in a box, constrained by the opinions of others. He wants us to use our brains--and our hearts--that He has given us. He paid a great price for our freedom.
I need to get out of the box.
Getting out of the box will not be easy. It will be a battle of fears and tears. A struggle with truth and not-truth. As difficult as a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis.
But now that my eyes are open, now that the Holy Spirit has shown me truth, I can not turn away and pretend not to know.
And God will be with me through each step.
Well, at least I know that I like chocolate and don't like strawberry!
Matthew 16:6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ... 12 Then at last they understood that by yeast he meant the wrong teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
1 Cor 2:10, 12--10 These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us....
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.