Change Your Thoughts
I was starting to have one of those days where nothing
seemed to be going right. I woke up after over sleeping and I felt like I had
not slept at all, I had a splitting headache and my oldest son overslept too
causing him to miss the bus. I woke up
my husband (which I hate to do since he does nights with the kids and I do
mornings) so he could drive our son to school. He did. The morning continued
with getting my middle son and baby girl up and ready for school. My headache
increasingly getting worse and my growing thoughts of the day’s activities were
contributing to the increased blood flow to my brain causing a deeper ache in
my already pounding head. I have lists,
lists and more lists of things that need to be done, things that have not
gotten done from the day before and things that need to be done before the end
of the week. If these lists are not
enough to consume my already full brain I decided to ride the thought train all
the way to Depressed Ville. I won’t
bother you with the boring details of all the stops my mind made on its journey
to the state of Overwhelmed, however they included Bill Town, Mount Laundrymore,
Ministry Falls, the Family Zoo, Lake Grandma Gottanotherdoctor Appointment, I
Gotta Preach Mountain and Plan a Birthday Party Park; but I can tell you it was
a trip I will not take again, not willingly anyway.
Have you ever let your mind take you to places that you know
you should not go? Have you ever just let yourself go into deep consuming
thought that only serves a purpose of dragging you down and keeping you down? I
have. I have also learned to recognize these sneaky attempts from the enemy and
rebuke them just as fast as they come. I was not totally on top of my game this
particular morning but I still played and won.
When I realized that thought train had taken me all the way to the state
of Overwhelmed I quickly got off. I jumped on the Grace train that has stops
anywhere and everywhere you can imagine and I rode it to the land of Peace and Rest.
The bible says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) “But he said to
me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” A ride on the Grace train leaves you feeling
refreshed, strengthened, powerful, peaceful and well rested. I realized in the midst of my not so great morning
and in my weak state of mind that Christ’s power was resting on me. The only
thing I had to do was call His Name. “Jesus!” I yelled, “save me from these
thoughts” and immediately I looked over and saw my family picture hanging on
the wall, my husband came in and gave me a kiss goodbye as he was leaving for
work, my puggle was snuggled up by my feet at the end of the sofa and my
morning cup of coffee was still hot and the awakening aroma filled my senses
with delight. I went from overwhelmed to grateful at the speed of thought. I
then began to focus on everything in my life that was wonderful and fulfilling
like how devoted my husband is to me and our family and how he works so hard
every day to show us how much he loves and cares for us, my puppy snuggled up
at my feet that didn’t care I had not showered or brushed my teeth yet, my
beautiful three children that are healthy and smart and kind, the simple
pleasure in enjoying an uninterrupted cup of my favorite coffee, my roof over
my head, my incredible job that gives me freedom to be home with my family, and
most importantly my Jesus. I could write
a book on everything I have to be grateful for but the bottom line is I have many blessings in my life and I refuse to let the devil rob me of them.
I called
on God for help and He showed me how to take my thoughts captive and
immediately I felt better. When we truly
call on the name of Jesus and therefore resisting the devil then he will flee
from us. (James 4:7) I am so fortunate
that all of my lessons in life thus far have been turned into blessings. I
refuse to give up, I refuse to have a bad day when there is something I can do
to make it a great day and I refuse to take anything less than the victory
Jesus died for me to have. I know that
every day will not be perfect, I know that there are some days that will be
better than others, but I also know I am in charge of my own life and I choose
to give that authority to God. He has
shown me time and time again that His plan and His ways are so much better than
mine. I can only imagine if I had stayed on that train to Depressed Ville where
I would be right now. I had the free
will to get off and I am so glad I did. The Grace Train is such a better ride
and the stops are not only refreshing but they are life changing.
I want to
encourage you today to take your thoughts captive. Do not let the enemy
continue to feed you lies about your life. If you are feeling weak then remind
yourself God is strong (2Corinthians 12:9). If you are feeling depressed
remember the joy of the Lord is your strength and happiness (Nehemiah 8:10;
Psalm 28:7). If you are feeling alone remember God said I am always with you
(Deuteronomy 31:6). There is a scripture for every situation and season in your
life. Call on the Lord and He will answer.
I am so glad that I made the choice to call out the name of Jesus in the
midst of my downward spiral of thoughts.
We have all been given the power of choice. We do it every day. We
choose what to wear, what to eat, what to say, who we let in and who we kick
out. We choose where to go and what to
do all the while realizing there are consequences good or bad that come with
these choices. Our thoughts are not any different. We choose what we want to
think about. You may think that you don’t but really you do. And just like all
of the other choices we make in our lives our thoughts have consequences too.
Choose happy thoughts, grateful thoughts, blessed thoughts and in the process
of doing this your entire world will change right before your very eyes. God Bless You!
Philippians 4:6-9(KJV) Be careful for nothing; but
in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard,
and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.-Amen
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