Wired Differently?

You know, there’s much talk these days about folks being wired differently. In other words, some folks apparently come out of the factory with different wiring than other people have. People don’t show tenderness and love and then report, “I’m just not wired that way.” Others skulk around like recluses, terrified of the world at large and then exclaim, “I’m just not wired that way!” Some more rare humans seem to have somehow mastered fear in their daring and we shout, “They are not wired like us!” All the people either suffering from or enjoying some benefit from their unique wiring. Do you think that is true? Sounds a bit fatalistic, doesn’t it? Imagine if our Creator invested in optional wiring diagrams, then chose who got what. Not based on anything they did, but rather random chance. Could that be plausible? While I will never argue the beauty and uniqueness of every single person, the uniqueness does not preexist in the wiring. Each of us is given the same potential to believe, not earn, learn, or function as equals. You get what you expect… Given the premise that God would not predestine anyone to a certain life, would it not be fair to conclude that our wiring is the same, but the application, learning and growth potential are vast and unending? It is not because you are “wired” differently that certain conditions exist in your life. If your perspective is negative and the reason for your “lack” is your wiring, you aren’t being honest with yourself, or at minimum haven’t really given it much thought yet. If your perspective is positive and cheerful and fearless, the reason for your success isn’t your wiring, it is in your beliefs. If we want to include wiring anywhere, it should be inserted into what we do with our own minds. If you are wired differently, you are so because of the choices and decisions you have made. Really, wired differently?

There are things that happen to us throughout our lives that shape us and mold us. We had no choice in our upbringing. We got what we got as it were. But, what if you grew up in a chaotic environment where you didn’t feel safe or you were subjected to things to which you should not have been subjected at an early age? It was your parent’s job to protect you, but they didn’t always come through or even know what to do. Or maybe early on you concluded that relationships are a disaster full of drama and pain. Again, you were subjected to what you were subjected to and as a form of protection for your own heart, you built up these defenses. Perhaps you concluded that it is better not to allow your heart to be vulnerable or be hurt. You saw the effect on others hearts. So you walled yourself in just a bit. A little insulation just in case. Over time those deflector shields maybe still didn’t have value anymore. Yet you built them and there they stand between you and the tenderness God planned for you to live with in this life. Wiring isn’t the culprit. A hardened heart is the culprit. You know if you desensitize something long enough it starts to become numb, like a callous. A heart can become numb after being hardened by pain and distress. My point is, lest it escaped you, you are not wired differently. You are not, “just the way you are” and you certainly did not come from the factory that way. No, you made some choices, maybe choices to survive even, but choices nonetheless. Your natural state is not to be closed off and guarded and suspicious and not trusting. Your preferred state; your true state is to have a heart softened by God and His love to the point of learning to feel again.  Every heart can be repaired by the Heart Searcher.

A similar principle applies when considering the people seeking to separate themselves from life and people and interaction. That is not wiring, that is fear. God designed us to be a sociable lot. We do better in groups, not cities, groups. Starting in a family is the first clue. But fear, once entertained is pervasive. It permeates everything and takes and takes and takes until you have nothing left, except your tiny wood cabin nestled in the woods separated from all trouble, but also all of life. It was never your wiring that brought you there. You brought you there by allowing something to be bigger than God in your life. No judgment as I’ve driven on that dark highway many times myself. But, at the end of the day, if something can be bigger than God, then you should be afraid. But, nothing is and that’s the key to rewiring your own system and rewiring your heart, if you insist on the wires. Once the fear is gone, life returns in floods, like it’s been waiting for you. Maybe, it’s time to change what you have been believing and sadly, receiving.

Those rare birds that jump off buildings and defy the odds in pursuit of a thrill or else do what seems unthinkable, are something to behold. Often they have successfully faced the demon called fear and proven to themselves that they have no reason to fear. Admittedly it is rare and I can see where one concludes a difference in wiring. But, the reality is that the person who can do what others are afraid to do has learned something valuable. He may overreach at times and bring peril to himself, but the fact that he reached means something. God did not bless him with fearless wiring (wouldn’t that be nice?), but instead, however he accomplished it, he got the job done and prevailed. These marvels of what’s possible inspire others to change as well.

My friends, no matter what you have been told or even your experience of life, you are not wired differently. Unique x infinity, maybe, but not your wiring. You literally are what you believe you are and can be anything your belief can conceive. It is not the hard wires, it’s the programming. Saying, “I’m just wired this way” is a copout. No you were not. You learned things, you believed things and now it’s time  to own your part in the puzzle. All restoration comes from God and all victories over fear come from God. Get God involved in your life. Don’t go on a 90 day spiritual cleanse. Come as you are today and start asking the questions you asked long, long ago. There are answers, but they have nothing to do with your wiring. (Thank God)

Just some good thoughts…