P4E.147 The Best Safety Device is a Careful Man - Part 9

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A safe man is careful with: His thought life.

In the last post I wrote:

"...I've descended into my own thought life. I become detached. I stop communicating because I'm concentrating on the mental images and thoughts that are going through my mind. There's a struggle that goes on to maintain a facade of normalcy while my mind degenerates. I go through the physical motions while my mind is distracted and far off. I can get callous and distant."

There's a name for when this goes on in a Believer's life, it's..."poser." Jesus called this condition:

"...like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but on the inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness."

How many times has my wife told me I was:

- 'detached' (how could you not notice that?)

- 'not communicating' (we never talk!)

- 'distant' and 'distracted' (you're here but you're not here!)

- 'forgetful' (how could you forget such an important thing?)

This is another example of my being influenced by "the world's" value system. Our American culture tells us that real men are stoic, men of few words, impassive, unflappable, unemotional, violent rather than communicative, and mysterious. We are told that these are the character qualities that distinguish men from women. We are told that if we express our emotions (other than anger, impatience and frustration) and verbalize what's going on in our minds it is effeminate. And, we Believers have bought it hook line and sinker.

Given that we have adopted the world's perspective on what real men are supposed to be like, is it any wonder, then, that Scripture encourages us this way?:

'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord,'

'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind , that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.'

This means that my natural inclination to be disconnected, detached, uncommunicative, distant, forgetful and violent IS NOT pleasing to God. It also follows that my wife is right and being helpful when she points it out to me! God help me to be grateful for that help and respond by changing my ways to be more like His.

Be safe! Kim