Jon Gordon - The Garden - A Spiritual Fable About Ways to Overcome Fear, Anxiety, and Stress

“It doesn't work out too well when you do this, just like when I don't listen to my dad,” said Jay.

“No it doesn't,” said Mr. Erwin. “It doesn't work out because we weren't made to live apart from God. We only have limited power. We only have enough power in our lungs to blow up a balloon. God is able to expand the universe.

“Our identity is not meant to be in ourselves. For many it is and that's why they struggle so much. Identity in oneself gives rise to the EGO, which Edges God Out and leads to pride, and pride leads to our demise. When we are prideful, we think our way is better than God's way. This seems good at the time but we know it doesn't end well. That's because we weren't meant to disobey God. We were meant to obey Him because God's ways are greater than our ways and His plan for our lives is greater than our plans.

“So, you have a choice to go at it alone or you can choose to live as you were created to live, and that's in an intimate relationship and partnership with God.”

“Is that where the Tree of Life comes in?” asked Kay.

“Precisely,” answered Mr. Erwin. “The Tree of Life represents love and trust. Would Adam and Eve love and trust God enough to solely rely on Him for their identity, significance, and purpose?” He took a piece of fruit off of the tree and ate it. “It also represents God's love and provision for Adam and Eve. All they needed was found in Him. If they had remembered this truth, they would have said NO to the evil enemy that showed up in the form of a serpent.

“That's why I believe the tree of life represents God's plan to win the battle against the enemy. When the enemy lies to us and attacks us in the place of our identity we can look at the forbidden tree, believe the lie, and take the bait. Or, we can look at the Tree of Life and remember who we truly are and whose we are and rely on and trust in God and win the battle.”

Mr. Erwin grabbed two pieces of fruit from the forbidden tree and handed one to Jay and one to Kay. “What will you choose?” he asked.

Jay and Kay looked at each other and then at the fruit in their hand and simultaneously threw it towards the back of the yard.

“That's how you do it,” Mr. Erwin said. “You made a choice and you must make the right one each time. This is how you win the battle. You choose the Tree of Life. You choose God. Now let's talk about some practical ways to do this and win the battle.”

Chapter 10

Win the Battle

“Let's start with doubt,” said Mr. Erwin as he grabbed a piece of fruit from the forbidden tree and put it in his left hand and then grabbed a piece of fruit from the Tree of Life with his right hand. “When the enemy fills your mind with doubt, the simplest, most powerful solution of all is to trust God.” He held up the fruit of the forbidden tree. “Remember that the doubt isn't coming from you. Don't believe it. Trust in God. Trust that He is with you. Throughout scripture God never said it would be easy. He said,‘I will be with you.’ Even though you can't see him and it often feels like He is far away, you need to trust that He is walking right beside you. Trust that God has a plan for your life.”

“It's easier said than done,” said Jay. “It's hard to trust when you feel like everything in life is against you and you don't feel like God is on your side.”

“I know, I know,” said Mr. Erwin empathetically. “This is why so many don't trust. They look at their circumstances rather than to God. They look at their challenges rather than to God, who will help them overcome their challenges. Many say, ‘Show me God and I will trust you.’ But it works the other way. When you trust, God will show you.”

“Not always right away,” said Kay. “Sometimes I pray, and it's like God isn't listening.”

“You are right,” said Mr. Erwin. “It feels like that often, and it can be scary and discouraging. At times we feel abandoned. But that's because we want God to work according to our timeline instead of His. We want God to be like FedEx and deliver overnight. But some miracles take time.” He chuckled as he threw the fruit from the forbidden tree away. “I think in those moments God is testing our faith. What will we choose?

“When you are doubting God and believing He can't be trusted, the enemy has you right where he wants you. You are on your way to losing the battle. That's why no matter what doubt says, you must trust in God and trust that He has the best in store for you. No matter what your circumstances are, you need to trust in God's plan. When it seems like God has abandoned you, trust. When you don't feel like trusting, trust. Trust in the one who created you. Trust in the one who walks with you. Trust in the one who loves you. Trust in the one who has a plan for your life and gives you hope and a future. When your trust is greater than your doubt, you are on your way to winning the battle.”

Kay had tears in her eyes as she thought about all the times she doubted and didn't trust. Hearing that God loved her and was walking with her opened a tiny crack in her heart and she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. It had been so long she had forgotten what it felt like and remembered what it was. It was love.

“I'm going to trust from now on,” she said. “I know there will be times the doubt will be so strong it will be hard to trust but I'm going to do my best.”

“Me too,” said Jay, who was comforted by the thought that his challenges didn't mean God was abandoning him but rather testing him. “I've been angry at God for a while. I thought he hated me,” as his eyes welled up with tears. “Now I know he was giving me a choice to test me.”

“Yes, he was,” Mr. Erwin said in a soft, comforting tone. “You were angry at God, thinking he hated you, when really he's been testing you to make you stronger. He's not doing something to you. He's working through you, and you will see this clearly when you look back on your life. When you are older and making films and dealing with rejection and bullies in the industry, you will be stronger for what you have been going through now.” “I get it,” said Jay as he looked at the cut on his hand. He was getting stronger and was no longer allowing himself to be a punching bag.

“And remember,” said Mr. Erwin. “Trust is not a one-time thing. You don't just trust once. You have to keep trusting. The enemy will keep lying to you and trying to get you to believe his lies. He's always lurking and often waits until those moments when you are lonely, hungry, insecure, emotionally weak from a difficult circumstance in your life. That's when he plants those seeds of doubt the most. Are you sure you can Trust God? Does God really want the best for you? Why would God do this to you? Sometimes it's just a subtle thought. Other times it feels like you are being bombarded. But make no mistake: his goal is the same.”

“Is there something we can do when those lies fill our minds?” asked Kay. “They can be pretty loud.”

“I'm glad you asked that,” said Mr. Erwin. “I want to share with you a powerful strategy that will help you. It's from a friend of mine named Dr. James Gills. He accomplished the amazing feat of completing six double Ironman Triathlons, which means you do an Ironman and the next day you do another one. And the last time he did it he was 59 years old.

“When he was asked how he did it, he said,‘I've learned to talk to myself instead of listen to myself. If I listen to myself, I hear all the complaints and doubts and reasons why I can't finish the race. I'm too old and tired and my legs feel like they are going to collapse. But if I talk to myself, I feed myself with the words and encouragement that I need to keep going and finish the race.’ He would memorize and recite scripture and that's what fueled him. You can do the same. But instead of the phrase Listen to yourself I would say Don't listen to the enemy's lies because as we discussed those thoughts aren't coming from you . So don't listen to the lies. Don't believe the lies. And then do one other thing.”