Is believing in karma or sending chain letters the way to unlock a secret code of blessings from the man upstairs?

Much to my dismay, I’ve received chain letters by email or on social media and Messenger. Each written from a promise of believing. If I believe in karma, then something good will happen today to make me happy and angels also watch over me. Or, the man upstairs blesses me.

But, to seal the deal, I must forward the message to a specified number of friends including the sender. And posting as my status on social media? Even better.

Still further, for the declaration to really happen, I need to act fast, within minutes. And there’s this, Thou shalt not break the chain.

I mean, who knows what terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day* might take place if I break the chain. Y’all, call 911 because I always break the chain!

Believe in Chain Letters or God’s Letter

Merriam-Webster explains karma, “The force created by a person’s actions that some people believe causes good or bad things to happen to that person.” Yet, I’m not some people or that person.

I enjoyed the Star Wars theme, “the force be with you.” Yet the force is fictional. Herein lies the deception of karma. It’s purely philosophical and not founded on fact.

I don’t believe in good and bad karma. But I do believe in a good and Holy God.

[bctt tweet=”I don’t believe in good and bad #Karma. But I do believe in a good and #HOLY God. @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]

God’s letter, His Word, gives us a different perspective. As one of His own, angels already watch over me (Psalm 91:11). Also, I’m blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). None of God’s blessings are based on sending or breaking chain letters.

However, I believe my actions bring consequences. It’s not karma, but a spiritual principle in the Bible of reaping what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

We choose our words, thoughts, and behavior. Each of these areas cause a ripple effect on us and others.

Like if I fail to take care of my body, my health suffers. On the flip side, healthy eating and exercise strengthens my heart and tones my muscles.

When my performance lacks at work, I make it hard for the team and may lose my job. But if I labor with the highest caliber, the rewards bring satisfaction and maybe a promotion.

Mean-spirited words crush the spirit of others. Words of kindness build others up.

God’s letter promises that He’s the real Chain-Breaker. He breaks away our chains of sin, bondage, and strongholds.

[bctt tweet=”Nothing supernatural happens if we break chain letters, only when God breaks away our chains. #Chain #chains #Supernatural @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]

Believe in the Man Upstairs or God

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy One.)

When I think about God, I never picture Him as the man upstairs. Social media posts referring to “the main upstairs” and chain letters addressing “Dear man upstairs” cheapen the indescribable God.

I believe:

• Jesus, God incarnate, came in the flesh as both man and God.
• Christ rose from the dead, not by a mystical force, but by supernatural power.
• Jesus defeated the grave and spiritual death.
• Jesus Christ is victor over the powers of darkness with His illuminating light.
• Christ ascended to heaven where He’s seated at the right hand of God.
• God reigns supreme over the realm of both heaven and earth.

Believe: Questions and Answer

Q: Have you not known? Have you not heard?

A: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28 ESV).

[bctt tweet=”Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God. #Creator #searchingforthetruth @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]

When we refer to God as the man upstairs, we lose our perspective on holiness.

While I don’t believe in the man upstairs, I believe:

• The Lord is God.
• He’s mighty.
• God is powerful.
• He’s majestic.
• God is Holy.
• The Lord is sovereign.
• God is an eternal God.
• He’s infinite.
• God is wise.
• He’s faithful.

I don’t believe in karma or the man upstairs. I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

*Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst

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[bctt tweet=”LINKUP is open. Join my friend @FridayKaren to discuss believing in #Jesus instead of karma; and believing in a Holy #God instead of the man upstairs. Share your blog! ” username=”PatHolbrook”]