How to Confront the Evil Within and Why

As we move toward the end of another year, we must take a moment to reflect personally and as a nation.  Throughout the study of Nehemiah, we have taken a moment to look at the nation of Israel.  What happened?  Why did they fall into captivity?  What can we as a nation learn from them?  They had allowed evil within, first dividing the nation through their own internal fighting.  Quickly, the break from within led to their splintering into two, making them such an easy target for the other nations to destroy.  They failed to acknowledge or confront the Evil within and that lead to their demise.

During the reign of King Solomon, the nation rose to a place of great power and wealth in the world.  People from everywhere wanted to be a part of that great nation. King Solomon, in his peak of success, began to believe them invincible.  Then, as an act of benevolence; he married women from many nations, expanding his power and influence. Perhaps, believing his own wisdom and greatness would prevail; he allowed them to continue to worship their pagan gods.  Instead of standing firm, ultimately; they drew him into their false ideologies, rather than he making certain they learned from his.

It begins that way.  The evil within grew; creating a divide that ended in the nation splitting into two.  The turned their back on God. First the Northern Kingdom was taken captive and later the Southern Kingdom.

Yet, God remained faithful and drew once more the few who followed Him back to Jerusalem.  Despite His faithfulness, the broken walls and the evil within once more could have destroyed them.  Then, God sent Nehemiah to build the wall and to restore the nation.

THE EVIL WITHIN

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How To Transform Fear of Rejection to Joy: Jesus!

Christmas Eve and with it I sit and reflect over the past week and year.  So, much has happened.  I failed to post Friday and I haven’t lately been posting any poetry; because, I have gotten so caught up in the rigorous demands of school.  Friday, I spent from 3 am to 10:40 pm working on a final paper.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, I had been working on it for weeks.  Studying, thinking, awakening in the mornings with words floating in my head, and scribbling down bits here and there.  Surrounded by a mass of research, notes, and downloaded material; it was time to put it all together and write the final paper.  Pouring heart and soul into it; I wanted it to be perfect! I finally pushed the button: send; then, the way of panic, the fear of rejection hit.

Perhaps as most of us I could say this fear of rejection came out of my childhood or from the legalistic churches we attended; but, I learned something new and perhaps, we should reflect upon that.  Christmas with all of its joyous wonders: can also be a time that our fear of rejection paralyzes us, causing us to react with withdrawal, even in a crowd of family and friends. So, not expecting the grade so quickly; I opened and was relieved to have gotten a B for the paper, an A for the course.  That is until I began to read all the comments written by the professor.  My heart sank, tears began to fall from my eyes.  Not because of what he said so much; but, more because I felt I wasn’t good enough.

How could I pretend to be a writer?  Did God really call me to write? My fear of rejection ran  deeper than one paper.

FEAR OF REJECTION

Suddenly, all the fears of rejection grew until I could see it clearly.  Once more, I feared before God that I wasn’t good enough.  It was 2010, when I first heard God’s whispering voice; urging me to write.  I started this website, published books; and with each one, believed that the message had grown.  Deep down, I thought this will be the one that reaches out and touches some lives: God will use this for His Glory.  Then, with the lack of sales–the great expenses of keeping it all going; I would feel the sting of rejection and return to ask God if I keep going.  I became content with knowing and hearing from a few who said that the works had touched their lives.

Once more, I would blame my perfectionism aimed at myself back onto my childhood or my erroneous legalistic upbringing; but, I have moved well past all that.  So, what was it now that brought that fear of rejection into my life again at moments.  Then, I realized; I live in a broken world and I have a broken heart.  That which I long so desperately to be and to have is a heart like God’s.  I was meant for a different world, one which I will one day arrive at.  Then, I shall be like Him; my Lord and my King.    That is what Paul wrote about in Romans 8:20-23.  Today, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus; let us remember:  He came to set us free and to give us the opportunity to one day stand with Him in Glory with a perfect heart like His.

Romans 8:20-23

 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Because Jesus came to redeem us, we have joy.  Furthermore, in Him; we come just as we are–fully accepted! His unconditional love wraps us; because, of He came into this world to suffer, die, and to rise again; conquering death for me.  He paid the penalty for me and all I must do is accept that gift.

The professor meant each word as a kindness to help me grow as a writer.  When God allows us to feel those moments of defeat; He is urging us to grow in Him.  And so, I will continue to write: as He reveals more of Himself every day of my life; because, He asks me to.  Then, I will let Him use it any way He sees fit.  So, since this is Sunday–let me leave you with this poem.

The Cry of Rejection

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The sound of their words

What they had said

Repeatedly playing sad tunes in my head

The Scars from my past

The sorrows, regret

Like sirens whose blaring I could not forget

 

In darkness, alone

My heart’s cry does long

To desperately feel somewhere I belong

And know I am loved

To make my appeal

Rejection the thought that seemed all too real

 

It wasn’t their fault

How could they have known?

The scars I hid deep and never had shown

The secrets of heart

That longed to be found

That they might be healed by love to abound

 

The counterfeit lies

Were just a mistake

Like shattering glass my heart then to break

Oh, where is the truth

In a Dark, broken world

Where sorrows and pain are relentlessly hurled

 

The sin of man’s pride

Has taken its toll

Wreaking havoc on each and every dear soul

Yet, if truth be told

Beneath all our will

Is a void only God’s love could refill!

 

His Love reached beyond

The abyss we had crossed

He never considered it too great a cost

To accept rejection

Of man toward His Son

Who in His despair our victory was won!

 

Unworthy though I

He loved me the same

And called me as His by my very name

To be loved as His child

He is all that I need

In Him to be known and truly be freed

 

Freed from desires

Of counterfeit things

From trinkets and toys or frivolous flings

Grounded, secured

In God’s loving arms

Freed from the lure of all this world’s charms

 

As He draws me near

To sit for a while

Enwrapped with His joy, I truly can smile

My worries all fade

As in Him I belong

My heart can now sing a joyous love song

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

Two Newest Books Available

Abiding, Steadfast JoyABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.

 

 

 


WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”

Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.

You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Why is it Really Important to Study Nehemiah?

When you look down through the corridors of history, few nations have survived such oppression, years of captivity; and, still stand. Yet, Israel stands as a nation with one of the highest life expectancy (1), highest standards of living within the middle east (2), and highest educated with one of the largest numbers of men and women receiving tertiary degrees (3). Because he heard God’s command, Nehemiah was a layman who played a large role in re-establishing social, political and financial order to the nation after a long period of exile. We can certainly learn much from the book of Nehemiah, if we wish to survive as a nation. Throughout, this in-depth study of Nehemiah, there appeared so many parallels to many of the issues faced by our nation today.

Furthermore, there lays within the history leading up to Nehemiah’s time even more parallels of what lead to their near destruction and captivity.
Although King Solomon began as a mighty king, bringing his nation into the forefront with wealth and power. They were admired throughout the surrounding lands. “So, king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart” (I Kings 10:23-24). Many nations desired to join in alliance with Israel and King Solomon married many foreign women; yet, he made a grave error. He did not vet these women’s ideologies. So, they brought with them other ideologies as well as their pagan worship. Instead of his teaching them of God, they pulled him into their pagan worship; forsaking that which had made him great to begin with.

“For it came to pass…that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God” (I Kings 11:4).

FORGETTING WHAT MADE THEM GREAT

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How to Truly Deal with Corruption and Evil

Nehemiah returned to serve King Artaxerxes as he had promised; however, after a time, he obtained “leave of the king” (Nehemiah 13:6).  Despite their having the wall and all having covenanted to God that they would follow Him; when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he found corruption, evil, and disobedience.  How did he deal with the corruption and evil?  It certainly was not by being tolerant or merciful.  He faced the corruption and evil head on.  There were four major areas of corruption that he dealt with in this manner: political corruption, financial corruption, societal corruption and domestic corruption.

POLITICAL CORRUPTION

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Why an Enormous Joyous Celebration to Dedicate the Wall?

Now came the moment to dedicate the wall.  What an enormous joyous celebration was planned and carried out!  The exiled captives were restored to their land. Furthermore, their faith and dedication to God was restored.  Order established in their land through just laws, tax reform, and immigration reform.  Law officers and the military reestablished to guard and protect their citizens.  The temple (church) once more held a place of honor, the choir of singers with their orchestra haled the worship. Once more they could stand proud as a nation, unashamedly; because, God was on their side.  The corruption within their government had been abolished and they could trust the leadership; because, of their covenant with God.  All symbolized in the wall that God had commanded Nehemiah to build.

Since the time of David, there had not been a joyous celebration of this magnitude.  Their love for God and praise for all He had down could be heard throughout the lands.  “Also, that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off” (Nehemiah 12:43).

JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF SONGS

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