On Judgement

This morning when I went to take the dogs out at 6 a.m., I got quite a surprise! I opened the main door and before I was able to open the (glass) storm door, Rosetta and Josiah started barking violently! There was a huge black Labrador retriever standing there! I closed the main door as quickly as I could and quickly tried to quiet my doggies down, as I was sure by then they had woke the whole household! It's never fun to be startled awake, especially when it is still dark outside!


The black lab is one of our neighbor's dog, Stormy (aka Drake). The dog is adept at getting out of the yard and frequenting our yard. For the last month or so, our neighbor has kept Drake tied up to a tree, but apparently he escaped.


After I took Drake back, I started to get into judgement about the dog's owner and IMMEDIATELY a voice in my heart said, "Thank You, Father God, for all the times I was unconscious and lazy in my actions. Thank You for forgiving me." Boy, did that stop me dead in my tracks!


Now, we all have millions of thoughts everyday, some of God and some not. We are to cast those that are not of God down and cause them to come into submission to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). We are also to try every spirit whether they are of God (1 John 4:1-2). Well, I know this thought was of God because it is in alignment with the Word. In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus says, "Do not judge, lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured unto you" (NAS).


What does judging others have to do with health? (I'll tell you, but first let me say this: it is so awesome to me how science continues to validate the things God tells us in His Word.)  All emotions cause the body to release chemicals in the blood. They come in the form of hormones and neurotransmitters. The science of it is very complex, but suffice to say that positive emotions, loving thoughts, joy, kindness, laughter, etc. release "happy hormones", and feel good chemicals like certain endorphins. ((Most people have heard of the "runners high".) Negative emotions like anger, grief, resentment, unforgiveness, etc. release pro-inflammatory chemicals that lead to health problems. When these negative emotions become habit and are a long-standing part of us, they can lead to many chronic, degenerative conditions like heart disease and cancer. Drs. Ted Morter, Dean Ornish, Richard Schultz, and many others have done research on the connections between emotions and physical health.


"The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)


Science can now explain how long term anger, unforgiveness, impatience, faithlessness, hatred will steal and destroy your good health over time. Stay in alignment with the Word of God by developing the fruits of the Spirit and allow Jesus to give you abundant life and health!