Don't Trade Reality for Perceptions

5/14/2024

A couple of us were talking over breakfast this morning... Maybe this is already clear to everyone else, but it was an extremely clear “ah-ha” for me, for which I’m thankful. We decided we should share our discussion with others :)

We all know it’s foolish to manage perceptions of others. That always short-changes us from being real and known and actually changing. How foolish to expect that I’m going to TRADE reality with God for *others thinking I have reality with God.* We know better than that!

Equally as foolish is to manage perceptions of me *to myself.* It could be as subtle as watching to see if someone “hearts” a text message, allowing myself to take that validation as a replacement for going deep with God. Or maybe it’s allowing myself to cycle through all the self analysis when I feel some prick or strange emotion, rather than choosing to draw near to God and reground in HIM.

Churning or calling others or any other *scrambling to find relief* IS managing perceptions to *myself of myself* and is foolish.

It's far better to be gut-level honest with myself, rather than allow any substitute for REALITY with God, genuine oil, and actual real participation with the living God of the universe in His life-changing Work.

It's so utterly foolish to settle for anything that is perception-based rather than reality-based.

Seen Rightly, every exposure of my actual motives is a chance to draw nearer to Him, to be MADE HOLY (that’s the promise) and move further from worldly/self motives. Jesus wins and the enemy loses! Rejoice! That’s a good thing! That’s why even “what does this realization mean about my salvation” isn’t a place to freak out for yourself or anyone else. Just stay in the Game with integrity and **without selling reality for perception.**