I read several months ago where someone famous used the expression, "Courage out of ignorance."  It seems like Mark Twain.  I made a mental note.  It sounded good, like a real truism.  Another one, concerning having children in the first place always seemed true, "It seemed like the right thing to do at the time."

Over the next few months I often thought about these  statements, deciding I could place myself into both categories.  Maybe not such a good thing.

People often wonder how I can do so many different things, well that's the reason, ignorance; I don't know any better than to try, and usually that's all God wants from us isn't it.  Sometimes not, but mostly it seems so.

Well when you're driving the interstate highways you often have long periods of time to think.  I thought about myself... the above statements, and the ignorance of things.  You know ignorance, being ignorant is not a very good thing, at least most of the time.

According to Webster, ignorant, means destitute of knowledge, comprehension, education, or simply uninformed.  I decided that to ignore something was different than being ignorant, but according to Webster it isn't.

Back when I used to travel a lot, in places both in this country and over seas; I would pray before I started out that God would direct my feet.  Sometimes I found myself in the wrong part of town and in danger, but even then I relied on God for protection.

If you want to know more, read on.

Oh don't get me wrong, it was a great trip, we really enjoyed it, even seeing some snow.
Anyhow, on the way home I was struck with the realization that you get a different perspective of your life when you are on the way home. It seems to be the case with me and my wife anyway... we reflect.   Boy I'll sure be glad to get home, I thought.  You know sort of, like you didn't realize how good things were until you got away from the familiar surrounding of home.  It has always been that way with us anyway.  We planned and discussed ways for making things better as couples want to do when away from home.

When the kids were at home and most of our life was consumed with their needs often we decided on ways to help them gain better understanding, in other words how to teach them what we felt they needed to know, or else.

Faith is not ignorance. However, I was ignorant of where such places were, but not ignorant when I found myself in them.

Often when we see a person walking on the highway of a darkened street we think, "Look at that ignorant person, they don't even know enough to be sacred."  Well I never thought of myself as being ignorant, but I found out I often am.

Deuteronomy 22:1-13 "If you see your brother's ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to him.  If the brother does not live near you or if you do not know who he is, take it home with you and keep it until he comes looking for it. Then give it back to him.  Do the same if you find your brother's donkey or his cloak or anything he loses. Do not ignore it.  If you see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help him get it to its feet."

It's interesting how, besides time flying when you get older, you think you got more of it all figured out too. You know like, you're finally wise; or as the saying says, "Too soon too old, too late smart."  "What's it all about Alfie?"

We're talking about life here folks

God says eventually we will know the answer to that question, meaning we will be ignorant no more.  Hooray!!!  However, in the meantime, we say, "I can do this job all by myself." Just leave me alone, I don't need anyone.  It's easy to have misplaced thinking isn't it?  "Stinking thinking," as someone once put it. When we think this way we are being ignorant; ignorant of the truth and of God's wishes for our life.

Following this line of thinking, I fell upon a real truth. Many people simply ignore what they ought to do, thereby putting their problems aside.  Denying or ignoring is often the same thing. There is an additional connotation, to reject as untrue or deem groundless is also fairly normal.

Have you ever wondered why God won't get rid of our bad memories when we pray for them to go away? Oh sure in some instances the severity or frequency of them change, but most often they remain, just as we find them.  It's the consequences of our sins... dummy I finally realize.

We say but, I have been forgiven, or have forgiven, that person of circumstance, why must I keep the bad memory of it?

Proverbs 10:18  "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool."

Instead of forgiving... have you forgotten, or denied the truth, thereby standing in ignorance?   Instead of working out the problem have you simply denied its existence?

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me..."

Instead of walking in ignorance, we should be walking in faith, never denying, instead walking in God's power, like Daniel and David, facing the problems with God's empowering.

We should never pretend the enemy or problem doesn't exist, but instead face it head on. Only victory, never ignorance makes you a winner.

Proverbs 13:13-19.   "He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.  A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil."

Courage out of ignorance is a fake courage, and if used often must be corrected by God or otherwise.

Courage out of faith is truth and life.

Have you been denying problems, ignoring them, putting them aside, believing them conquered?

I read a supposedly true story about a Christian who died on the operating table twice. He remembered his experience. He walked on a field full of blazing flowers, thinking how he would like to pick some to carry with him, he looked down and his hands were already full, then he saw in the distance an even prettier hill, thinking how nice it would be to be there, he suddenly found he was.  The writer did not talk about what struck me like a ton of bricks. In Revelation it says we will know the truth, knowing answers to questions before we ask them. Jesus taught how merely thinking of a sinful act was as guilty as performing it.

Until I heard this mans account of his life after death experience, I could not understand, how the two actions could be the same.  Just as I asked myself, what difference is it if I deny my sinful nature, at least I'm not doing it or thinking about it?  Nevertheless, the problem lies below the surface, waiting to pounce when the time comes.  For you see I have gained no victory if I simply deny the problem exists?

I realized that many things I thought I had overcome are simply denied.  I have ignored many problems in order to live normally. 

Now God wants me to face such situations head on.

Proverbs 10:17  "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."

How do you face the old garbage, the things you thought you defeated many years ago?   I don't know for sure, but I can assure you I will not stand ignorant of them anymore.  I will spend more time with positive thoughts and stand in as best I can in a courage out of faith not ignorance.

If you desire to know more about this Jesus Christ who loves you, and you want to ask Him  into your heart, receiving His Saving Grace please click on this Salvation Prayer