What’s on Your Mind?

What’s on Your Mind?

Today, I’m re-posting a writing I did a while back. The premise of this piece is just as true today as it was then and for many people I know it’s more meaningful today than it was one or two or three years ago. Please be encouraged. 

I don’t know about you, but I certainly have a lot on my mind these days. We all have personal and family matters to think about. Many of us also make room in our minds for multiple connections with church, friends, jobs, and community. Besides all that, our minds are bombarded with news (good and bad) and events, both local and global.

This very day I concern myself with meeting with friends for Bible study, transporting a grandchild to swim practice, household and business responsibilities, writing responsibilities, and praying that my grandson, who broke his finger, will NOT need surgery. That lists just a few things on my mind today. Most of these things are positive and pleasurable aspects of my life.

Unless we never listen to the news, you and I are blasted with information that can overwhelm our minds, emotions, and spirits if we’re not careful. We truly must take every thought captive—on purpose! (1 Corinthians 10:5)

This very day I was also confronted with much tragic news--- local, national, and global. I’ll mention a few. 

In my community, a five-year-old boy who had been missing for four days was found dead in an old septic system near his home. Last night tornadoes ripped through areas of our nation, destroying property and taking the lives of fellow Americans. It’s been decided that the aircraft, which crashed in the French Alps three days ago, appears to have been deliberately downed by the plane’s co-pilot. And of course, we can’t omit the constant threat of terrorists who seek to kill peace loving, innocent folks all over the world these days. This does not complete the list of negatives that forced their way into my mind today. These kinds of dreadful happenings are powerful forces that can easily dishearten any of us.

SO--What's on your mind today? You may be so consumed with personal misfortune that the calamities beyond your own world have no room at all in your thoughts. Your personal disaster might be related to health, loved ones, financial matters, heavy responsibilities, and on & on & on. Our lists can be endless. It might be so bad that you want to crawl into a protective shell and simply take a fetal position.

But, I’m here to declare today that God’s Word gives good instruction on dealing with a full and troubled mind. One of my favorite methods for coping is to follow the Apostle Paul instructs in Colossians 3:2, where he said, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” 

How are we to accomplish that? It’s not necessarily easy but it is necessarily deliberate. I find that one of the best ways to set one’s mind on things above is to read the Bible. I know that sounds like a simple pat answer but think about it for a moment. Let me give you a personal example.

A few years ago, I was going through several very negative experiences. It seemed that bad things just kept piling on me from many different directions. The helplessness of having no control in trying to alleviate the emotional pain made me wonder just how long I could continue to function. 

I was praying and in the Word consistently, as was my routine. I was even leading a Bible study at the time. But I still found myself dwelling on the negative things that were weighing me down. As I sought God I decided to go to the basics about Jesus, Himself.

I began to read through the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. When I got through that, I read through the book of Acts. No, I didn’t read it all in one day or week or month.

I was doing exactly what Paul had instructed the Colossian believers. I was setting my mind on things above, not on things on the earth. In doing this, God’s Word---studying Jesus—lifted me up to a higher level. 

Those negative situations that kept piling on me did not just evaporate. Some improved, some eventually took care of themselves, some remained pretty much the same, and some got worse. I’ve looked back on that season in my life, a period of about eight months, and see how God used His Word as a tool to help me set my mind on things that are eternal, things that are true, things that are above the earth. During that particular time, I set my mind on Jesus, Himself, as I read through the Gospels. I believe I was led by the Holy Spirit to do exactly that and I’m so glad I followed His leading. 

Let’s look at Paul’s instructions, in its context: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, the you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).  

Notice that the above passage contains abundant meaty encouragement that can set our minds on things above. It instructs, explains how and why, and then points to our eternal hope—all built on Jesus. 

Here we see a good example of the Word’s immense value in helping us set our mind on things above instead of things on the earth. So, be encouraged as you do just that.

 If you’d like, please leave a comment telling of a time when you set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, and were thus encouraged and lifted out of sadness, or discouragement, or troubles of some kind. We can all be encouraged by one another’s testimonies. Thanks, and God bless you abundantly today! 

 

 ©Connie Wohlford 2018

Fill Your New Year With Optimism - Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 1

Fill Your New Year With Optimism 

Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 1

Are you ready for positive news? Do you yearn for relief from negativity?

Let’s begin this new year beaming with optimism. I’m not just thinking about feel-good ideals and clichés—but holding on to truth-filled hope and an outlook ordained by God. 

Consider the source of genuine optimism and strategies for taking hold of it.

God desires for each of us to have a good life experience, both now and into eternity. Jesus came for that purpose. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

Peter affirmed this when he wrote, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:2-4 NKJV).

As followers of Jesus, we have every reason to be optimistic and He has given us the means by which to be so. 

With our sights on abundant life and with Peter’s encouragement in mind, consider these Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism:

1- Get over the past.

 

Don’t take negative aspects of your past into your future. What would be the benefit of dragging it along? Nothing! What would be the benefit of getting over those things? Everything!

Paul nailed it when he said: “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV).

Besides putting past negatives behind us we also need to press on. We must avoid resting on past glories and we can learn from and build on former successes. We who are in Christ have His Spirit living in us and are to reflect His image. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

From one level of glory to another we shall travel through life, serving our Lord, each doing our part in the building of His Kingdom. Let’s build on past victories as we move forward to greater accomplishments in Jesus name. And let’s not allow shadows and skeletons from the past diminish the optimistic outlook of God’s plan for each of us.

2- Avoid getting hung up on a negative thing.

 

Is there something you or I perceive as a negative personal trait or characteristic? It might be in regard to appearance or personality. Perhaps it’s our age or family background. Do we think God is not aware of these matters? 

He knew well before you and I that this would be a part of our lives at this moment in time. Is this something we could and should change? If so, we can ask God to help and show us the way to overcome.

If it’s something we cannot change we can ask Him to take it and use it for His glory. Our Creator is an expert at bringing good from things we perceive as bad.

We must remember “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose … What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28, 31).

Any personal flaw is not too much for our Creator to deal with. Let’s let God have His way and get ready to be amazed, in no way allowing such a thing to impede our optimism. 

3- Remember that, for everyone, life has ups and downs.  

The exciting adventures and lovely photos we see on Facebook and Instagram do not tell a person’s whole story.

We didn’t witness the bitter argument the dreamy couple had just before stepping barefoot onto the sandy beach for their photo-shoot. Nor did we see their children arguing and pulling hair on the way to that serine tropical setting.

Be assured that God knows all, sees all, and cares about all things that concern us. Our trials do not escape His watchful eye. Very often our greatest setbacks take place right before our greatest victories.

Let’s be encouraged by Jesus’ words: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).

His words should give lift us into the realm of optimism because our overcoming Lord gives us the power to overcome as well.

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So, let’s take heart as we meditate on the above Scripture Passages and the first three of the Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism. Be assured that God wants us to live joy-filled lives, unhindered by pessimistic thoughts and anxieties.

Please check back in a few days to learn more of the strategies. May God richly bless you in your own pathway to attaining Christ-ordained optimism.

Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford

Take Every Thought Captive

Take Every Thought Captive        

In my last post we looked at girding up the loins of our minds. One of the main things we must do in order to accomplish this is to take our thoughts captive and bring them in line with God’s Word.

Today I’m sharing an article on this topic which I believe does a great job of giving us practical, biblical ways to accomplish this challenging assignment.

6 Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive by Richard L. Ganz, Ph.D.

What you put in your mind has an effect on what you think. Remember those scary movies you watched as a kid, then had nightmares? It didn't take long to realize that the way to avoid the nightmares was to stop watching that kind of movie. God has provided a way to overcome unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, and gain the self-control you seek. It's a matter of taking charge of your life - His way.  

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us that we are to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Here are 6 ways to take your thoughts captive:
 

1. Accept responsibility for your thoughts. You have the ability to exercise control over your thoughts. God warned Cain to focus his mind on the right things, but Cain chose to think about the wrong things - anger and jealousy - which led to his murderous actions. Are you willing to admit that you can, with God's help, regain control of your thoughts - and think enabling thoughts instead of disabling ones?
    
2. Your mind - not just your behavior - must change. God calls us to change sinful behavior that does not honor and please Him. Instead of focusing on your outward behavior, work on disciplining your mind - from which the behaviors stem. Allow God to transform you by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).
    
3. Think through your problems rather than just react to them. When you experience difficult challenges, you can react to them and think yourself into despair every time. Or you can look forward to the next opportunity and ask yourself what you learned from this failure. Is your first thought I'll never do anything right? You don't have to get trapped by disabling thoughts. You are capable of getting out of your shame, despair, hopelessness, and anger - by taking control of your thoughts.
    
4. Take your disabling thoughts captive through confession. Paul urges us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (Rom. 12:21). Confront your disabling thoughts. Turn them over to God and become who He sees you can be. It will take work to take your thoughts captive each time they pop into your mind. But it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.
    
5. Choose to focus your thoughts on the right things. We are to think about those things that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable" (Phil. 4:8). When we think on those things, God promises to give us His peace. What a contrast that is to the thoughts of millions of people today. Don't look to a movie, TV show, or how-to formula to accomplish this for you. It takes personal discipline and commitment.
    
6. It is possible. It is not easy to retrain your thoughts or to respond in new Christ-like ways. Take heart: as God empowers you to focus your mind on the right things, it will become easier. You can develop a new frame of reference, based on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

It is possible to live a life aware of our thoughts and take them captive! God gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us. Start following these steps today to gain power over your mind and thoughts.
 

 Richard L. Ganz, Ph.D., clinical psychology, previously served on the clinical psychiatry faculty at Upstate Medial Center in Syracuse, N.Y., and is an adjunct faculty member at Syracuse University. He also spent five years working with Dr. Jay Adams at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation in Philadelphia. He is now a pastor in the Ottawa Reformed Presbyterian Church and president of Ottawa Theological Hall in Canada. http://richardganz.com/

From: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/prayers/take-your-thoughts-captive-509888.html

©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford