When someone gives you some news, what's your first reaction? I know depending on the news it could be perceived as good or bad. But, what is your first reaction?
Let's take a look at a couple of instances in the Bible, where we see first reactions.
First, let's look at Moses. In the book of Exodus, chapter 3, you can read the story of Moses' call from God to deliver the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. In that story, you see where God spoke to Moses from a bush that was on fire but was not being consumed. As God spoke to Moses, He called him to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
What was Moses' first response? In verse 11 you see were Moses asked, "Who Am I, that I should go to Pharaoh? Moses' first response was that he wasn't the person to go to Pharaoh. His self-image was low.
Let's take a look at a couple of instances in the Bible, where we see first reactions.
First, let's look at Moses. In the book of Exodus, chapter 3, you can read the story of Moses' call from God to deliver the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. In that story, you see where God spoke to Moses from a bush that was on fire but was not being consumed. As God spoke to Moses, He called him to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
What was Moses' first response? In verse 11 you see were Moses asked, "Who Am I, that I should go to Pharaoh? Moses' first response was that he wasn't the person to go to Pharaoh. His self-image was low.
Next, we have the story of Gideon. You can see the story of Gideon recorded in the book of Judges, chapter 6. The Israelites were being oppressed by the Midianites. They were oppressing the Israelites to the extent they would steal the crops from Israel so that they'd have no food.
The Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." The Lord told Gideon in verse 14; "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
What was Gideon's first response? He responded in weakness. He told the Lord, "O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house." Like Moses, Gideon's first response was "who am I?"
Just like Moses, Gideon's image of himself was so low, he couldn't see how God could possibly use him to deliver Israel. But, God told Gideon He would be his strength.
Next take a look at the example of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. This story is recorded in Mattew, chapter 19. Jesus had been teaching to crowds of people. He sent the crowds away and instructed the disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side of the sea.
It's written that the waves were battering the boat, as they'd gotten far from land. In the middle of the night, Jesus was walking toward them on the sea. When the disciples saw Him, they thought they were seeing a ghost and cried out.
Peter cried out to Jesus, "Lord if it's you, command me to come to you on the water". Jesus did and Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water. But when he saw the waves, he began to sink. As he was sinking, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus reached out His hand and pulled him up. Then Jesus said to Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
The Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." The Lord told Gideon in verse 14; "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
What was Gideon's first response? He responded in weakness. He told the Lord, "O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house." Like Moses, Gideon's first response was "who am I?"
Just like Moses, Gideon's image of himself was so low, he couldn't see how God could possibly use him to deliver Israel. But, God told Gideon He would be his strength.
Next take a look at the example of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. This story is recorded in Mattew, chapter 19. Jesus had been teaching to crowds of people. He sent the crowds away and instructed the disciples to get in the boat and go to the other side of the sea.
It's written that the waves were battering the boat, as they'd gotten far from land. In the middle of the night, Jesus was walking toward them on the sea. When the disciples saw Him, they thought they were seeing a ghost and cried out.
Peter cried out to Jesus, "Lord if it's you, command me to come to you on the water". Jesus did and Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water. But when he saw the waves, he began to sink. As he was sinking, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus reached out His hand and pulled him up. Then Jesus said to Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
So, hopefully you noticed several different first responses. First, you had Moses and Gideon asking who were they that God would ask them to be deliverers. Then, you see Peter asked Jesus to tell him to come to him on the water. So, Peter's first response, was a response of confidence and faith.
But, then when Peter saw the waves and began to sink. His response to the waves was fear and doubt. We know this because when Jesus reached out His hand to pull Peter up out of the water, He asked Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Peter saw the waves and his immediate reaction was a fear response.
The immediate reaction of Moses, Gideon and Peter was dependent on their focus. Moses and Gideon's focus was what I call a lower level focus. Moses and Gideon were looking at who they thought they were according to their low self-image.
Peter's initial response was faith. Therefore he walked on the water. His faith was a result of his higher level focus.
This is the lesson for you. Your focus both in the past and in the present, will determine your initial reactions to events and things people say. For example, in your past, you reacted to certain events actions and statements. Those reactions in the past, establish neuron pathways in your brain. As those pathways become stronger, they will contribute to triggers that will cause us to react certain ways to new events, actions or statements.
Those neural pathways are formed and get stronger as we continue to react in the same way to events, actions or words. Each time we react in that same manner, those same pathways, get stronger and stronger. Before long, there will be certain events, actions or words that will serve as triggers for those responses, where they become automatic. These responses then lead to negative or positive beliefs.
In order to correct your initials, you'll first need to catch yourself getting ready to initially react the same way you always have to those same triggers. You'll then need to step back and consciously react in a new, positive way. As you do this, new neural pathways will develop. After a period of 21-30 days, you'll see your intial reactions change. You need to ask yourself, are your intial reactions leading into fear or faith?
But, then when Peter saw the waves and began to sink. His response to the waves was fear and doubt. We know this because when Jesus reached out His hand to pull Peter up out of the water, He asked Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Peter saw the waves and his immediate reaction was a fear response.
The immediate reaction of Moses, Gideon and Peter was dependent on their focus. Moses and Gideon's focus was what I call a lower level focus. Moses and Gideon were looking at who they thought they were according to their low self-image.
Peter's initial response was faith. Therefore he walked on the water. His faith was a result of his higher level focus.
This is the lesson for you. Your focus both in the past and in the present, will determine your initial reactions to events and things people say. For example, in your past, you reacted to certain events actions and statements. Those reactions in the past, establish neuron pathways in your brain. As those pathways become stronger, they will contribute to triggers that will cause us to react certain ways to new events, actions or statements.
Those neural pathways are formed and get stronger as we continue to react in the same way to events, actions or words. Each time we react in that same manner, those same pathways, get stronger and stronger. Before long, there will be certain events, actions or words that will serve as triggers for those responses, where they become automatic. These responses then lead to negative or positive beliefs.
In order to correct your initials, you'll first need to catch yourself getting ready to initially react the same way you always have to those same triggers. You'll then need to step back and consciously react in a new, positive way. As you do this, new neural pathways will develop. After a period of 21-30 days, you'll see your intial reactions change. You need to ask yourself, are your intial reactions leading into fear or faith?
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