What do these words have in common? You might respond that they are all mental. You also might respond that they are personal. (And you just might come up with something completely different and random). Allow me a moment of your time- I picked these words with the intention of making a list of words that are conpletely misunderstood.
These words aren't uncommon, rare, complicated, or SAT worthy. These are household terms, used regularly, by people with all ranges of education. So how could they possibly be misunderstood? I believe it comes from a root misunderstanding, deep seated in our belief systems and world views.
Let's down the list, redefining a few of these. I'll pull definition's from Dictionary.com, where I can.
Depression: A condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.
Try this: A state where the mind over comes the spirit, and the joy of the Lord is blatantly shut out of a person's life.
Resolve: To come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine.
Try this: The act of using futile human strength to set ones mind to the accomplishment of mortal-made plans.
Future: A procedure of life events toward which a person plans and hopes.(my own definition)
Try this: The fictional tale humans contrive for the days they assume will follow the one they are living in currently.
Danger: Exposure or vulnerability to harm or risk.
Try this: The concept of harm coming to the disposable body a person uses on this earth.
Happiness: Good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.
Try this: Temporary pleasure found through the satisfying of carnal desires.
Effort: Exertion of physical or mental power
Try this: The expenditure of futile energy and ignorance of the strength of the Lord.
Luck: The force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities
Try this: The best explanation for the hand of God in one's life.
Plans: To arrange a method or scheme beforehand for (any work, enterprise, or proceeding)
Try this: To arrange a method or scheme before relinquishing it all to the hand of God.
I hope that by reading this, you will see the new perspective. I want to challenge each of you to look at your life, your plans, your disappointments, hopes and schedules. Remember that your efforts are nothing compared to what God's strength can accomplish. Remember that your life either works for God, or against Him. Your plans are not necessarily God's plans, but they should be. Remember that the framework of this world is not that of the Lord. The terms, concepts, advice, tendencies, accepted pieces of wisdom, traditions, catch phrases and principles of this world are not those of the Lord. They are rooted in a world that is stained with sin.
Don't just accept something at face value. Don't accept it because its tradition. Don't accept it because your parents or grandparents did it. Don't accept it because you read it in a book, heard it on the radio, or saw it on the internet. Accept it because it is in line with God's Word. That is the foundation made of rock. The only compass that points to true north.
