Mindset

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, 

but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

 Ro. 8:6

What we think about has tremendous power to affect our lives. What we focus on affects how we feel which then affects how we act.  The scriptures encourage us in many places to consider what we think about, what we set our minds upon. 

If we let our thoughts run uncontrolled, we may find ourselves thinking about the offenses we have suffered today or making judgement about the failures of others or worrying about how are needs will be supplied or any number of other earthly things. We will find ourselves in a mass of discouragement, discontent and depression. The only way out is a change of mind.

If we train our minds, as scripture teaches us to do, to set our minds on things above, on the Spirit, on the good things of God and the truths of his word, we will be lifted up above our earthly condition into joy and peace.

Lord, help us today to have a new mindset, to think about things above where you are seated in complete victory over every earthly thing. Each time our mind wanders, help us to bring our focus back to you.

If then you have been raised with Christ,

 seek the things that are above, 

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

 Set your minds on things that are above, 

not on things that are on earth.  

Col. 3:2,3

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable,

 and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

 Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

Phil. 4:8

Thoughts

You will keep in perfect peace* all who trust in you, 

all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) 

We are all susceptible to a wandering mind.  Something that we perceive as negative happens and it instantly triggers some anxiety or fear.  Our minds begin to focus on the "what if's" and the worries, conjuring up disastrous scenarios for the future.   And, our minds are quick to judgment and blame. When things aren't going well, we can always find someone to blame.  We usually put a negative spin on other people's behavior.  All these toxic thoughts are killers. They destroy our peace and joy in the Lord.  

The question is, who's in control here?  Are we subject to thought-control, becoming slaves to our own thoughts?  Or, can we display self-control?  We are in need of self-control and discipline?  As soon as we sense our thoughts going down a negative path we can call a halt, shift gears and re-focus bringing our mind back to the only focus that brings us joy, peace and freedom.  We must make the choice to bring our focus back to the Lord, throw all our cares on him and trust him to take care of everything. That focus will always relieve us of anxiety, bring us to the point of peace and rest and fill our hearts with an understanding compassion and love towards others.

Lord, grant us the strength and wisdom to get our thoughts to stand at attention - attention on you.  Make us instantly aware when our thoughts begin to wander into negative territory and bring us back to a clear and single focus. 

*An interesting side note on the phrase "perfect peace."  The original Hebrew does not have the word "perfect."  The original has "shalom, shalom."  In other words, "peace, peace."   The word peace is used twice for emphasis.  The Hebrew word "shalom" doesn't just mean peace in the sense of freedom from conflict, but encompasses much more including the ideas of completeness, welfare and health.

Help

 As we work together, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s great kindness and then ignore it.  For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now! Today is the day of salvation.

2 Cor 6:1-2 (NLT)

No matter how we feel, God always stands ready to help us.

Sometimes we get wrapped up in ourselves and our problems. Our negative thought patterns can dominate our minds to the point that we actually ignore God's great kindness.  As soon as we wake up and call to him for help he responds.  He is always there ready to help.  Today, is the day of salvation.

Lord, thank you for your word that reminds us that you are always standing next to us ready to help.  Let us turn our hearts and minds to you so that we can receive the help we need right when we need it.  

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Heb 4:16 (NLT)

 

Worry

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Matt 6:27 (NLT)

So often we wear ourselves out by worrying.  We put so much energy into trying to fix ourselves or others, strategizing about the future, or dwelling on the regrets of the past that we have no time to enjoy the present. These thought patterns rob us of peace and serenity. What a relief when we finally realize that we have no power over these things. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow does not yet exist.  We can only take one day at a time. 

The original word for "to worry" or "to be anxious" is "to take thought."  Basically worry is over-thinking our lives.  Thinking has its limitations.  We usually don't have enough information or our thinking is defective because we have assimilated so many misconceptions.  We don't have the power or insight to figure things out, so over-thinking accomplishes nothing.  As Jesus said, "Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to his life?"

Things begin to change when we turn our lives and our will over to the care of God.  We are powerless, but God has perfect knowledge, perfect wisdom and all power. When we turn our lives over to his care, let go of our worries and rest in him, he begins to do his work.  

 You will keep in perfect peaceall who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.Isaiah 26:3 

Glory

Sunrise over Four Peaks - Cave Creek, AZ

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

Glory is the word used to describe God in all his transcendent beauty, majesty and holiness.  His glory fills all the earth and the heavens.  We see his glory all around us in the creation.  We experience his glory as we walk in his presence.   We are transformed by his glory.

When we look at our mundane lives we wonder “Where’s the glory?  What could it possibly mean that I am being transformed into his image?”  Yet, as I allow my mind to expand to encompass thoughts of his glory, I find amazing things happening in me.  First is worship.  As I contemplate his glory all around me, a sense of worship rises inside of me opening my heart to his transforming power. Then, even though I may face troubles of all kinds, as I acknowledge his glorious presence, I have a sense of peace and joy continually renewing my inner being.

God's desire for us is nothing less than that we should see and share his glory.  He has high hopes for us.  As we see and reflect his glory, he works in us to change and transform us into his very image – the image of Christ who is the exact representation of God’s glory.

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Though outwardly we are wasting away,

 yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

  For our light and momentary troubles

 are achieving for us an eternal glory 

that far outweighs them all. 

  2 Cor 4:16-17 (NIV)

And we all, with unveiled faces

 reflecting the glory of the Lord, 

are being transformed into the same image

 from one degree of glory to another.

2 Cor 3:18 (NET)

Dealing with Depression

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Psalms 139:11-12 (NIV)

Even in our times of darkness, discouragement and depression God faithfully stands by to help us through.  He never abandons or condemns us when we are suffering in low times.  This is what we need to keep in mind when dark and negative thoughts flood our minds.  As we mature and grow we realize that these moods are not the final state and these thoughts do not define the ultimate reality of who we are.  The more we can hold onto God's truth and his word the sooner we will rise from our despair and the more comfortable and accepting we will feel as we are going through it.

So many successful people have admitted that they were subject to down times of discouragement and doubt. (Picasso, Van Gogh, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill.) 

Amy Grant in her book, Mosaic, writes: 

Whenever I am in a bleak mental state, I think about these people whom I admire and realize that this condition is not unique to me.  

Probably my age and the circumstances of my life have softened the downward spirals for me, but winter is still a struggle every year.  Maybe subconsciously that is part of the reason I've made so much Christmas music - to focus on hope and joy and store up a lot of good thoughts for the dark months ahead.

What I've learned so far is that depression can be, but is not necessarily, about circumstances or about a particular event.  It is physical.  It is hereditary.  It is cyclical.  Its onset is like traveling down a road and suddenly hitting a patch of deep sand, wheels spinning and no visible forward motion.

The good news is, I've learned to recognize it and not be ashamed of it.  I know as surely as it comes, it will go.*

Perhaps, during this darkest time of the year, you are suffering with depression.  Don't be down on yourself.  Remember there is no end to God's faithfulness.  He never changes. The light of his love shines continually as bright as the sun no matter how cloudy your day may seem.  Encourage yourself.  Even if you feel discouraged and sad, put your hope in God.  He will lift you again and restore you to the joy of his presence. 

 

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

Psalms 42:11 (NLT)

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Psalms 31:24 (NLT)

Listen to Amy sing Breath of Heaven
http://youtu.be/6RVTZDgcpqM

*Grant, Amy, Mosaic:Pieces of My Life So Far (New York: Doubleday, 2007), pp.167-168.

Snow

Snow in Tonto Hills, Arizona

 “The rain and snow come down from the heavensand stay on the ground to water the earth.They cause the grain to grow,producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word.I send it out, and it always produces fruit.It will accomplish all I want it to,and it will prosper everywhere I send it."

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT)

God's ways are so much greater than ours; his plans so much higher.  He has things in mind for us that we can't even imagine.  He can bring good to every situation, no matter how evil.

Our pronouncements of what should happen or what should be done have little power and often have a negative effect bringing the opposite result of what we wanted.  But, God's word goes forth with great power and accomplishes exactly what he sends it forth to do.

Lord, expand our minds and our vision to see what is possible because we put you in charge.  As we make you Lord of every situation you bring new, creative and powerful ideas for solving every problem.  Let us wait on you and your word.  Give us words to speak that will accomplish your good purposes.

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

Our snowy backyard.

Thoughts

Our apartment here in Arizona backs right up to Sonoran desert open space so we see lots of birds flying around outside our window.  The other day a bird flew in the open window and began flying around inside the apartment.  It is unsettling and frightening to have a wild bird flying around where it doesn't belong.  I was afraid that the bird would fly into my face or bang into the walls or windows and get hurt. And, you know how messy birds can be!

Just as wild birds don't belong in apartments, so negative thoughts don't belong in our heads. If we let them, thoughts of bitterness, resentment, anger, complaint or ingratitude can bounce around in our heads causing havoc. Someone is sure to get hurt.  We can let the thought take up residence or we can reach up and grab it taking it captive and returning it to the air where it belongs.

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. 

But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:6 (NLT)

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Cor 10:5 (NIV)