Reality shifting
Recently I stumbled along this thing called "reality shifting." It’s basically where you write a script and meditate so that you can shift realities and live in your desired reality. I kind of wanted to try this out, but before I do I wanted to know if it sounds like a sin. If it is a sin, I obviously won’t do it.
From what I know about the subject, it does not sound like a sin but rather a vain attempt to escape one’s present reality.
There are certainly some positive changes in life over which we might have control. Other positive changes may be out entirely out of our control. What do we do then? Do we pretend our present reality does not exist and imagine ourselves in a better situation in life? That sounds a lot like self-deception.
I think of 1 Corinthians 7:21, where the apostle Paul addressed the reality that some of his first readers were enslaved. Those people might have arrived at that reality because of debt, the outcome of war or an agreement to survive. What instruction did the Lord’s apostle have for those individuals? “Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.” Imagining that life was different and better would not have changed the situation of those people. Living with the present reality with godly attitudes or working to change their circumstances in life were realistic options; “reality shifting” would not have helped them.
When it comes to our spiritual lives, we can’t change the reality of our natural sinful condition and our actual sins. Those are real, and we confess them to God (Psalm 51:1-5). God’s forgiveness of our sins is also real, and we praise him for blotting our sins from his memory (Isaiah 43:25). The promise of a perfect, glorious eternity with God is also real (John 14:2-3).
No amount of reality shifting will remove life’s problems for Christians. Jesus provided this dose of reality: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Thankfully, Jesus went on to say,” But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Apart from our almighty God and his powerful word, people are left to devise solutions for their problems and unwanted circumstances. It is no surprise those solutions fail. With God and his powerful word, however, Christians can be content with their present circumstances (Philippians 4:11-12). I encourage you to stick with God and his word.