Luke 8:37, 40 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left… Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.
It’s amazing what a difference the right attitude makes!
Jesus, the Son of God, is always ready and willing to bless people, to work a miracle, or set someone free. Yet, we see the people of the region of the Gerasenes asking Jesus to leave – Jesus was the One who could bring them new life, breakthroughs, miracles of healing, abundance, and blessing – yet they pleaded with Him to leave. Why? Because they were fearful of Him.
Psychologists will tell you that fear is the root cause of many symptoms such as anger, suspicion, cynicism, and the inability to trust. And look what fear did to the people of the Gerasenes – it caused doubt and unbelief to block the blessing of God in their life. Fear literally asks God to leave.
But after returning from the Gerasenes Jesus was met by an entirely different crowd. They welcomed Him and were expectant. Faith welcomes, it’s hospitable, it’s hopeful and expectant, open-minded and ready to receive something.
Your mindset is like the steering wheel of a car, steering your life – it will determine whether your heart is filled with faith or with fear. The person with a heart of faith will receive everything God has planned and prepared for them in life. Fear receives nothing.
The life we live as Christians is a walk of faith. It’s not one governed by our feelings. Don’t assess your Christian walk or maturity based on feelings and intellectual knowledge. The Christian walk is based on the simplicity of faith. It’s child-like faith. That’s why we have to humble ourselves. It takes humility to come before God like a dependant child, full of hope and belief.
Our educated minds can get in the way if we are not careful. Every day we might be working with some brilliant brains in the business world – dealing with the pressures of work-life, making tough decisions, leading companies in extremely competitive environments. And when we compare this environment to the faith-filled, simplicity of the gospel, the intellectual mind can react and think it’s childish or foolish.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty...
It’s important to always carry an attitude of faith in your heart. Just believe God. Don’t analyze. Save your analysis for the stock market and financial reports. With God – just believe and receive!