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

How do I focus less on “doing” and more on “being?”

It was embedded in my brain that “in order to be the best, you have to do your best.” And that mentality stuck with me throughout my teen and young adult life. However, who you are is not defined by the things you do. Accomplishments and failures are a means to success. But who you are means being who Christ has designed you to be.

Life is not about doing; doing joyful, doing love, doing great, doing change. Those all sound weird, right? But instead, we have been called to be joyful (Romans 12:12), love (1 John 4:11), great (Isaiah 41:10), changed (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

We can find so many more ways “to be” in the Bible. Christ never once doubted who we are and what we mean to Him. Why should we doubt who He has created us to be? When we align ourselves to Christ’s standards, doing Kingdom work will flow naturally. Be that person because you are valuable to Christ.

– Lieutenant Wonni In, Bridgeport, CT

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