“Hey Cupcake, get over it!”

Identity politics, gender politics, racial politics. This is the way of flesh. As a matter of fact, these positions reek of flesh. This ideology and philosophy is dishonest, manipulative, ignorant, and lazy… and it fosters a grossly destructive entitlement mentality. In a word, it’s godless, because this strategy attempts to convince people that they are free of personal responsibility for overcoming a negative situation in their life. I mean, after all, it’s not your fault. It’s the system. It’s systemic racism. It’s the rich. It’s white privilege. It’s men. (Sigh)

Hey you… cupcake… get over it! Life is hard! Life is full of challenges, disappointments and pains. (Cue up country singer Lynn Anderson) “I beg your pardon… I never promised you a rose garden.”

Embracing blame instead of taking personal responsibility is godless because it is a form of idolatry. It’s depending on self to become a victim, rather than depending on God and becoming a victor. Blaming, regardless of how bad you’ve had it, never releases you from personal responsibility to overcome through faith in Jesus Christ.

Some time ago, during my morning devotion, my friend Johnny was showing me a situation where people who were sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed were waiting beside a pool. (John 5:1-9) Periodically, an angel of the Lord would come and stir the water, and the first person in the pool would be healed. Johnny went on to explain that there was one guy who had been waiting thirty-eight years for his turn when Jesus showed up. Jesus looked at him straightly and asked, “Do you wish to get well?” This lame man proceeded to give Jesus his sob story. He complained, “No one is here to put me into the pool.” He whined, “Someone always gets there before me.” (Loose translation: “You don’t know what it’s like to live in my skin.”)

I love Jesus’ immediate, simple response. “Rise up and walk.” Jesus totally disregarded this man’s situation and complaints. Jesus bypassed all his “baloney” and went straight to the heart of the matter — individual responsibility! Was Jesus being insensitive? Was not Jesus keenly aware that this lame, handicapped man’s situation was “unfair?” Of course not.

This lame man could have CHOSE to lay there and continue to finger-point and yell, “Inequality! Profiling! I’m a victim! It’s the system! The man is holding me down!” Instead, he CHOSE to ignore all his negative circumstances and, rather, focus on the command of the Lord. “Exercise faith and rise up!” And, God honored his faith!

Promptly, this man trusted the Lord, rose up in faith, was immediately healed, and began to walk! Amazing! Although this man was physically lame, he stepped out on faith and his circumstances changed.

What’s your excuse for staying in your situation? Victim? Fear? Laziness? Procrastination? You’re alone? Your critics? The system? The man?

Too many people have come to rely on their bad circumstances as an excuse for staying where they are. They naively conclude, “As long as I have someone or something to blame, my bad situation is justified, because, after all, I’m a victim.” This is flesh, and this is modern-day idolatry. Any person, pleasure, pain, problem, or philosophy that is greater in your life than God, is an idol… including your flesh! Seriously, is there anything in your life greater than God?

“It’s his fault!” “It’s not my fault!” “They’re privileged!” “I’m under-privileged!” “You’re the reason I am the way I am!” “Blah-blah-blah!” Really?!! You can blame your circumstances all day long, but you won’t get anywhere. You can point fingers at “the man” until you’re blue in the face. You can babble on about “profiling” and time will pass and your situation will remain the same. (As if blaming someone releases you from personal responsibility and work, and having to try!) This flesh-based mentality is directly opposed to a faith-based mentality, and it does not alleviate you from personal responsibility. Tell me, honestly, how’s that working for you?

Stop your whining! And, start your faith! Especially you Christians! Your God has commanded you to “Rise up and walk!” He’s even given you authority (Lu 10:19) and power (Ac 1:8)! He didn’t ask for your sob story. God is fully aware of your situation and challenges, and He still calls you to rise up in faith, take your place, and trust Him! You cannot control other peoples’ words and actions, but you can control your words and actions. Honor God with your faith!

In closing…

Beloved, I can’t thank you enough for your prayers. They are vital!

We continue to “Build – Make Disciples – Release – Rebuild.” This is the nature of ministry here as the personnel are highly transient. So, because our time with these people is very limited, I try very hard not to waste the time we’ve been given together. I intentionally and rapidly pour into their lives, and I try not to shrink from declaring to them anything that is profitable! (Ac 20:20)

We certainly could use your help. The financial demands of being a full-time missionaries in Japan is high. We simply cannot do this without fundage and your assistance. Please, if you’ve benefited from anything we’ve said or done, consider helping us pour into the souls of men and women over here. Financial contributions and donations can be made online through Christians In Action. Or, you can mail contributions to the address listed below.

I declare that you pass on to everyone what is most important, that Christ died for our sins! (1Cor 15:3)
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In the His salvation,
Pastor Nick & Sandy Guerra

Contributions can be sent to:
Dominic Guerra (Acct# 426)
c/o Christians In Action, Missions International
1318 E. Shaw Avenue – Suite 308
Fresno, CA 93710-7912

▪ Please ensure Acct #426 is annotated on your contribution so the funds can be allocated correctly.