Astonishment always leads to some form of acknowledgment. Lock that down somewhere. Best way to do that is to write it down and share it with a spouse or friend.

Astonishment always leads to some form of acknowledgment. Just as depression leads to some form of isolation... whether that be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual or vocal isolation. Depressed people do the very thing that the tormenting spirit, that’s manipulating and gnawing at them, wants them to do. The gnawing and consuming spirit is misdirecting and misleading them to escape through isolating themselves from all and anything that can really help. Depression is a deceptive spirit that consumes people of the very thing they need most... being astonished with something or someone. Some need medical help to overcome this because of a physical problem or chemical imbalance within their bodies... but that’s not the case with the rest of us. Our perception of our current circumstances has shifted our attention and altered our proclamation of things we used to be astonished at. We are no longer seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary things of life. Are you still with me? I pray so... this can not only help you but those you love and care for.

How can I recognize this? Astonishment always always always leads to some form of acknowledgement. An astonished heart and mind is like a fresh spring that can’t help but overflow and gush into a fountain of joy that is inexpressible and full of glory.

“And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.” (Mark 4:37,36)

Our problem is not with speaking up but with standing amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. Our issue is not with proclaiming it all, the issue will be found in our perception of it all... astonished thoughts give birth to astonished talks.

What’s the difference between these people in the Decapolis region and those in Jesus’ hometown (Mark 6:1-6)? They were not too familiar with Him or His past... and His presence and power and preaching astonished them. I shared a little nugget about familiarity and how it diminishes worth in my last post. We can get too familiar with someone or something. When this happens, we can’t see past what we know, and then we miss out on so many astonishing things.

It’s simple... if you’re not acknowledging the glory and grace and wonders of Jesus, it’s because they are not astonishing to you. They go hand in hand... like faith and obedience and love and compassion and knowledge and confidence and hope and comfort. You cannot have one and not the other. They just go together.

So think with me? When was the last time you were utterly astonished, with the presence and favor of Jesus or with something He’s done for you, with you and through you, that you could not live without acknowledging it to someone else?