If you look on the Internet, you will find a quote attributed to Albert Einstein that says, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” While that seems like something a very smart man like Einstein would say there’s no proof that he ever actually said it. In fact, there seems to be proof that it wasn’t said by Einstein at all unless done from the grave. As Garson O’Toole (a pen name used by the self-proclaimed “The Internet’s Foremost Quote Investigator”) writes in his book, correct recognition for this quote should go to sociology professor William Bruce Cameron of Bradley University, who included it in some of articles as well as a 1963 sociology textbook . Einstein apparently wasn’t associated with the saying until the mid-1980s, some three decades after his death. If you wish to know more about that you can visit this link to read what O’Toole believes. This isn’t about its source but more about its message.
Whether Einstein said it or not it’s smart and deserves consideration. Ask anyone who keeps making the same decisions over and over with no change in the outcome. They will tell you the insanity of it all. I know. I’ve been there. The frustration can create a paralysis of analysis that hinder us coming to my senses because we focus on the outcome and not the source. You not only feel insane but adding insult to injury you also feel very foolish. Once I realized that I was the one creating the resulting outcome to a recurring problem in my life I was set free to make the change needed to trade the insanity of my choices for freedom of the Lord’s.
Don’t beat yourself up. We all do it. We keep allowing the same people back into our lives thinking that this time will be different. It almost never is different because it’s the same person coming back into your life. People do not spontaneously change for the better. There is no magic potion that turns them into the person they should be and not the person destroying your life, with your help that is. Choice and free will is always a two-edged sword that cuts both ways. I believe that’s why the author of Hebrews 4:12 (who I believe is Paul speaking with Luke writing) compared the Word of God with a two-edged sword.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Amplified version)
Like a surgeon’s scalpel the Word of God cuts right to the heart of the matter – the human heart. We are the ones making the decisions that appear to be insanity because there is something inside of us inspiring us to do so. Bad programming instilled into us by others and then ourselves keeps resulting in the same answers to the same problems. Free will was given to us by God so that we, from our heart, made our choices not out of compulsion but of submission to Him and His will for our lives. Submission begins when we admit we are the source of our problems.
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity
I believe that we choose insanity because it’s easier than doing what is necessary to change or fix the situation. Whether it’s the wrong job or the wrong person we make choices based on our own set of preferences and desires. We want change but we don’t want the discomfort that comes from it. We want the right person in our life, but we don’t want the Lord to choose them for us which means waiting patiently until we are ready for His best for us. Even when He opens a door and shows a narrow path to the positive change that we seek we don’t want the unknown of the journey, so we unhappily stay where we are complaining the entire time. Worse we pray and subtly blame God for our bad decisions. It’s always easier to falsely blame God’s direction or the devil deception for the outcome of our flawed choices. Deflection never leads to correction.
Patient: Doctor, it hurts when I do this.
Doctor: Don’t do that.
The cure for the insanity of our life starts from within. Seek the Lord to show you why you make the choices that you do. Ask Him to show you the way to correct those choices and to heal the areas that inspire them. I know that when you do, He will gladly show you what you need to see and then it’s up to you to make the corrections necessary for positive change in your life. The relief that comes from it will inspire you to continue the journey. Stop choosing the insanity of your flesh and seek the clarity in heart, mind, body, soul and spirit His Spirit brings. He is even willing and able to help you fix the mess you created. It’s up to you.
Proverbs 3:5-8 (AMP) 5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.
8 It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]
And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.
Richard J Grund
Minister, Author and Speaker. Host of The Porch on Firefall Talk Radio, a nondenominational Bible Study broadcasting since March 2010. The Porch can be heard on various streaming platforms whose links are found on the Firefall Talk Radio main page.
The Beacon's Glare 