Explain to me, if you can, why we always seem to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do! Silly really. When we do this we don’t maximize what we have, only moan about what we don’t. And that gets us even further behind/removed from what we should be seeing and doing. Yes, our eyes are on us… perhaps a pouting us?
Our thought life is critical! Absolutely critical. Remember the old saying that the mind is the devil’s playground? Truth! And the ONLY way he knows if he is successful is by our actions and words. What we do. What we say. And what triggers this. He can tempt, he can whisper… but we don’t have to accept this. His is a limited power. So why do we engage ? Because of so many reasons but mainly it’s what we think about and how we respond to ‘this’ that tells our tale.
“So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, AMP)
Sometimes not so simple even if this scripture tells us what to do and what our reward is.
Scripture, especially the New Testament, has multiple scriptures that tells us we need to renew our minds. Why? Because of what I just said – it’s the place where the devil works. Renewing our minds, standing on scripture gives us our defense against this! The ‘comedic’ phrase by Flip Wilson (The devil made me do it!) is often used as an ‘excuse’ but is untrue. The devil may have suggested it but it’s all on us because we chose to do it. This behavior is akin to Paul’s lament, Romans 7:16-20, MSG:
“What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.”
So what to do!?! Actually, I’ve found that a ‘time out’ is precisely what I need. I have to own what I’m feeling and accept my why… even when my why is totally ludicrous. The reason isn’t the point, owning the feeling is. And then it’s time to reel in my thinking and get back to me. Please – never just stuff the thinking and feeling down because it will reemerge, typically at the wrong time and with the wrong people.
Turn to the Lord. He already knows but forgiveness and cleansing according to 1 John 1:9 is dependent upon our acknowledging, our seeking forgiveness. And no, justified or not, a pity party isn’t ‘bad’ unless we wallow there and if we don’t seek restoration from the Lord.
Our thought life is precisely that – OUR thought life. No one can tell us what to believe, it is always our choice, our decision. And… we have the control! We direct our thought life. We can become our best selves. …. But do remember this is an ongoing process, never one and done.
