What does the statement, “Fake it ’til you make it,” make you think or feel?
After college, I sat in a training for a new job with 40 people and the “fake it” mantra was given to us. Essentially, we were being told, you don’t know what you’re doing, so just pretend you do and hope it works!!! In all transparency, I have done this in my faith along with past jobs.
Paul gave a strong warning to the church in Ephesians 4:17-19. Paul was explaining that people who had not given their life to Christ were just giving their hearts and minds to bad desires. He warned the church DON’T BE LIKE THEM! DON’T FAKE WHAT YOU BELIEVE! In verses 20-21 he encourages the church by saying you know what you heard and learned, now keep living it!
The problem is the enemy plants seeds of doubt, and instead of going back to our Savior, Jesus, we find a way to be distracted or cover up the doubt. I think of how many hours I find ways to entertain myself with a TV show, movie, a game, sports, or anything else. Most of those things are not bad in themselves, but instead of allowing God to work in our minds to remind us of His truth, we let those things occupy precious time. That is exactly what Romans 1:21 tells us to be careful of: For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Paul saw this happen. He saw friends stop letting God fix their minds and hearts, and it crushed him just as it does us.
Instead of trying harder or faking it, let’s go to God together. Take a moment, put a hold on the worries, fears or negative thoughts and just be with God. Here are a few things we should ask of God today …
- God, allow me to think of things worthy of your praise. (Phil. 4:8)
- God, transform my mind and my actions. (Rom. 12:1-2)
- God, allow me to trust you as you work. (Prov. 3:5)
LIVE THE STORY: Let’s close with a section from St. Patrick’s prayer for an open mind. I encourage you to read and pray the whole prayer when you have time to today.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
Jeremy Johnson
Pastor of Men’s Ministry