Too often, I find myself in a situation that my feelings are bigger than my faith.
Yesterday was one of those days.
You see, no matter how hard I try, the only person I can change is me. I cannot change my kids, my siblings, my friends or my coworkers. I cannot change how any of those people relate to me, how often they contact me or even whether they like me.
I can tell you, that more often than I'd like to admit I let how others treat me affect me.
I can tell you, too, that when these relationships are fractured or just don't seem to be everything I would like them to be, my emotions can be all over the place.
I can also tell you that when my emotions are out of control, I am apt to make some poor choices when it comes to these relationships.
BUT GOD...
I've learned in my journey of healing that the only person I need to please is Jesus....knowing that and living that out can look very different.
Yesterday my feelings were out of control. I kept replaying over and over every single bad decision I'd made in rearing my children. All the poor choices I made as a mom. Every harsh word I spoke in anger. Every situation that I tried and/or successfully manipulated or controlled. It was ugly. Each poor financial decision I made. The list goes on and on. I was headed for a train wreck!
So what do you do when these feelings overwhelm you? How do you keep those emotions at bay?
You see, the Bible tells us to: "...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
So how do you "take captive" these thoughts? The Bible has an answer for that too.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
Stop thinking about what is in the past. Yep, just stop!
Begin to think about those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy!
What is true? I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
What is noble? I am a joint heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
What is right? I am a new person in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
What is pure? I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the blood. (Ephesians 1:7)
What is lovely? I am loved and chosen by God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
What is admirable? I am more than a conqueror through He that loves me. (Romans 8:37)
What is excellent? He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (1 Timothy 1:7)
What is praiseworthy? I am an overcome! By the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony! (Revelation 12:11)
You see, we are what we think....so today, instead of allowing your circumstances to weigh heavy on your mind, allow the mind of Christ to inhabit your thoughts!
He makes ALL things new!
Your circumstances may not change but the way you see your circumstances will change.....and that, my friend, changes everything.
