I see many social media posts about manifesting. Is manifesting Biblical?

The word “manifesting” is a buzz word for many people right now. The concept means that if someone thinks long and hard about a positive outcome they wish to have, then they will produce that outcome. Of course, we all want things in life and should make wise choices and work hard to achieve desired results. Unfortunately, manifesting removes God from the equation and places us as the god who thinks something into being. As Christians, our faith should rest in a God who has the power to do and provide what we need.  We need to pray in faith but realize that only the will of God will come to pass. The apostle James says  “Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). 

– Captain Jennifer Masango, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

What are tips for anger management?

Anger is a feeling and not a sin; it’s what you do with that anger that can quickly lead you down the wrong road. 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ,” and for me, that comes in the form of taking my anger captive at its onset. When anger first arises, I have to restrain it and the desire to quickly express it. I try a “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” grounding exercise to remain in the present and pay attention to the five senses. Secondly, I re-evaluate my anger by asking questions (“Will this matter a year from now?” and “Am I misunderstanding something?”). These two steps often leads to the third piece of advice: release the anger. Holding on to anger can only lead to deep-rooted seeds of bitterness and malice that will cause issues in the future.

– Captain Michael Good, Jackson, MS