As the photo illustrates, I am taking
a short “side rail” from Sorrow blog 2 in order to focus on extremely powerful
strategies related to one’s “focus” or more simply put, what comes to my mind (first
thoughts) as soon as I open my eyes in the morning? Am I going to walk in the flesh or in the
Spirit of the Lord….we do have a choice! I truly felt prompted by the Holy
Spirit to share such crucial thoughts with you concerning this incredible
topic!
Obviously,
this ties nicely with the “Sorrow” blog, which is still in progress, for if sorrow is the first thought that comes
to mind as one awakens, his/her state of mind is indeed focused on sorrow,
grief, anger, revenge, unforgiveness, lack of confidence, despair, unconfessed
sin, and fear, etc. which can well set the stage for the day’s thinking and
action, and could well end in a day of defeat/discouragement resulting in
continued sorrow or the other negative thoughts/feelings. Keep in mind what is written in 2 Cor. 6:10,12
in the Messianic Jewish Family Bible – Tree of Life Version “as grieving yet always
rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything”
and “you are restricted in your own feelings.”
Thus, how do
we overcome such negative and destructive thinking? First and foremost, we as believers MUST begin
the day focusing on our Triune God (the Father, Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit),
biblical scriptural truths and Godly
promises such as written in Psalm 34:4-6 “I sought the Lord, and He heard me….and
saved him out of all his troubles”. The Lord God Almighty promises His children
as written in Heb. 13:5,6 “Let your
conduct be without covetousness; be
content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So,
we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to
me?” May I challenge you to purchase a
PROMISES book which lists God’s scriptural promises by subject…“Fear, despair, hopelessness,
encouragement”, etc.
We are told
in Philippians 4:6,7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made to known to God; and
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.”It is crucial that we seriously consider that “the battle begins in the mind” which means we are in spiritual warfare in our minds, and as the scripture declares, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for bringing down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:3-5) Thus it is imperative especially, that we not allow our minds to reminisce in the past. Always keep in mind that satan and his cohorts are always looking for open doors in our lives for the sole purpose of harassing/destroying God’s beloved…not only satan, but the world, our flesh, and the church! I must qualify the “church” as that which is the “under the control of men/women often described tragically as the dead church” as opposed to God’s Church where the Holy Spirit is most welcomed, and the Triune God is given full reign!
Always remember that the mind is NOT BORN AGAIN…. again, therein lies the battle…flesh against the Spirit of God! Whom are you going to let win?
In closing, please keep in mind what James, the brother of Jesus declared in chapter 1:22-25 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” Amen?
And when you awaken each morning, begin with a positive declaration “This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps.118:24) Also a song.
