“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
~Norman Vincent Peale

The idea of mindfulness was brought up in a recent conversation and it got me to thinking. The enemy sure is good at what he does. He isn’t going to dangle a carrot in front of our noses unless he knows it’s one that we’d be quick to gobble up.

For me personally, negative self talk can be the enemy’s weapon of choice. The hook is always hidden in the bait. If I allow negative thoughts to rule my mind, he will attack it and with it my heart. I’ve learned the hard way this is an area I need to guard against (Ephesians 6:10-18).

If you find yourself constantly dwelling on your problems, or allowing negative thoughts to take space in your mind, don’t be surprised if you also find yourself living in perpetual discouragement or defeat. What you think, you say, and what you say, you do.

“Our faith is really proven in the way we talk to ourselves.
The loudest human voice you will listen to is your own.
Choose your words wisely.” ~Christine Caine

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything (1 John 3:20).”

Don’t get trapped in the negative thoughts cycle! Over thinking will not overcome fear, but God’s perfect love will.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me (John 14:1).”

“Do not let” is a volitional phrase, meaning the choice is ours. That’s good news!

Faith refuses to stress over and focus on the problem. Instead, faith rests on the promises of God.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:6-9).”

“Obey your way into the feeling. Don’t feel your way into obedience.” -Steve Gaines

Worry and fear are good indicators you’ve stopped trusting God with your problems. What kind of thoughts have you allowed to ruminate? Are you meditating on God’s Word and having faith in His promises? Or, are you allowing the enemy to defeat you with negative self talk that leads to worry and fear?

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16).”

Forgive me, Lord, for the times I’ve believed the lies of the enemy instead of trusting in You. I pray for those struggling in their faith, Father. I pray for those struggling with negative self talk. Cover them with Your peace that passes all understanding. Reveal to them your presence and Truth. When the things going on in the world around us get dark, let us remember that You are still in control. You have overcome! You are always good; You are always faithful. In Jesus name, Amen!

 

“When you feel like you are drowning in life’s trials and tribulations, FEAR NOT! Your lifeguard walks on water!”

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).”

“You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ (Lamentations 3:57)”

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).”

Lord, when we are afraid, help us to put our trust in you (Psalm 56:3)! You are faithful and good.  Remind us to release our daily burdens and cast our anxieties on you (1 Peter 5:7). In Jesus name, Amen!

Are you a perfectionist? Has anyone ever referred to you as having a Type A personality? While being organized and having a leadership personality isn’t sin in and of itself, the enemy can use these otherwise honorable personality traits to wear us down, isolate us and cause us to be ineffective for the things of God.

As I was reading through scripture today I realized, perfectionism has definitely translated into a sin I struggle with. There are people and things I still want to control:

My health starts to waiver and I look to Dr. Google for diagnosis and treatment options.

Our children struggle in school or act out and I start researching ways to improve my parenting techniques.

The Holy Spirit convicted and reminded me that we are commanded to be faithful, not perfect!  Why am I so quick to forget this area of His grace?

Scripture shows us plainly that God has never looked for perfect people. He is simply looking for us to be faithful. Remember King David?

God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do (Acts 13:22).’

Despite King David’s respectable traits, he wasn’t perfect.  He committed sins involving not only adultery, but murder! It’s important to remind ourselves that we all fall short of perfection in everything we do (Romans 3:23). That’s why God sent His only Son to take our place as payment for sin (John 3:16).

Instead of striving to be perfect, let us measure ourselves against the biblical standard of faithfulness. When we start to do this, we will see that everyone around us is in the same boat (1 Corinthians 10:13). We will be less likely to isolate ourselves and more prone to confess our sins to other believers (James 5:16). This will help hold us accountable to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and encourage community. When we do life with other believers, we are stronger than when we try and do life alone (Proverbs 27:17).

So, as we go about our daily tasks this week, Lord, I pray you remind us to aim for the goal of being faithful when we fall short. Let us remember that only Jesus was perfect and in Christ, God promises to overflow us with His endless grace.

Note: If this post tugged at your heart, I would highly recommend the work of Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. This post is an adaption of a devotional I read in the NIV Life Journey Bible which they both co-authored.