When I teach storytelling seminars, I always remind the storytellers to separate out reality and fantasy for the little guys. When we create a fantasy world for them, they can easily believe that monsters are real!
Speaking of confusing reality and fantasy, last night I was partially awakened by Mike thrashing around in bed while dreaming and then thoroughly awakened when he grabbed my stomach in his fist and squeezed as hard as he could. He snapped awake when I screamed and explained, “Nicholas Cage was going to kill me!” and then apologized profusely for hurting me.
We often get reality and fantasy mixed up when we believe Satan’s lies instead of God’s Truth. In John 8:44 we see Jesus speaking to the Pharisees giving a description of just how Satan operates:
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
What lies does Satan whisper in your ear? You’re not good enough?? Things will never change?? You’re not thin enough, pretty enough, smart enough?? You’re a terrible mother, wife, daughter?? Turn to Christ and believe what He says about you:
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31, 32
When we believe what God’s Word says about us–we are free, from many things–but in this context we are free from believing the fantasy lies that the devil tells us. The reality is we are (according to Ephesians 1: 3-11) blessed, holy, blameless, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and chosen. Rest in that!
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