May 7, 2016

Thoughts Control You

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me

-- Psalm 13:2

What’s on your mind today? What keeps coming up as you travel through your day? Who has upset you? What has happened that you keep rehashing again and again?

Because whatever is on your mind is what controls you.

So many of our battles actually take place in our mind. We go over and over events that are past -- some good and some bad -- and never seem to move on. Maybe you’ve met someone who still lives for the glory days of high school, even though it was years ago. Or maybe you know someone who suffered through a divorce a decade ago and yet the bitterness comes out again and again.

Or maybe you spend your time worrying about what might happen in the future. It’s so easy to imagine all kinds of scenarios that aren’t likely to ever occur. We waste so much time and energy on a future we can’t predict. Do what you can to prepare and trust God to see you through the rest. In other words, let it go.

We can’t possibly enjoy today when our minds are on the past or the future. Life is what happens when we’re grieving the past and planning the future. Focus on life.

It’s especially hard to enjoy today when we’re trying to come to terms with heartbreak. That person is still gone every minute of every day. There is a void there where a loved one once stood. That’s where the choice comes: Do we wallow in what we can’t change or rejoice over memories and the promise of an eternal reunion?

That sounds callous doesn’t it? I don’t mean it to be. Even years after the loss, grief can come crashing in suddenly and fiercely. But the choice not to dwell there belongs to you. It comes with taking control of your thoughts rather than letting the grief control you.

The same is true with betrayal. It’s easy to get caught up in thoughts of revenge and justice. For what purpose? God avenges His own. Don’t let someone who betrayed you continue to control you by occupying your thoughts. Trust God to handle it in His time. He will.

King David frequently poured out his anguish and grief to God. We can learn from him and do the same. There’s something so freeing in giving God all that’s in the past, all the worries for the future, our grief and our brokenness. It allows us to refocus our minds on today and the joy that comes anew each morning with His Presence and our love for the One who saved us.

Sunday, August. 8, 2010

Riches Don't Matter In The End

"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him."

-- Psalm 49:16:17

Gosh, don't we live in a messed up world?! We place the value of a rich person above the value of a poor person, without regard to his morals or his faith in God. I think we've got things aligned the wrong way. Don't you?

I'm thrilled when people are successful in their professional lives. I want them to get promotions and expand their businesses. It's wonderful to cheer people on as they reach their goals. But it doesn't mean anything if they don't know Jesus.

No amount of money, no amount of power and no amount of possessions will save us from hell. In fact, those things won't bring us love or inner peace during our time on earth. Sure. We've all joked about wanting to try being super rich for a while. But we've also heard the stories about unhappy rich people. They get so focused on things, on power, and never know for sure who likes them for who they are and who only wants their money, How sad.

The thing about God is He doesn't care about what kind of house we live in or whether we're wearing the latest fashion. He cares about what's in our hearts. He wants us to know Him, to accept Jesus' sacrifice, to believe and to seek His Presence. Sure, he wants us to be happy and successful. But God knows that all those things won't be going with us when we leave this earth. They're only on loan from Him.

Sometimes I wonder if those folks so focused on possessions and power realize that. Do they think they're leaving some kind of lasting legacy? Do they believe they can buy themselves a better forever? Have they convinced themselves that it doesn't matter?

I find it interesting that in this passage the rich man descends. That man we think of as so powerful and successful, won't be going upward toward heaven unless he invites Jesus into his heart. I'd much rather be poor and know Jesus than be lost from Him forever. How about you?

Saturday, July 31, 2010

God Embraces Me

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me." -- Psalm 13:5-6

Sometimes I feel a gully between me and God. I don't spend enough time with Him. Life's challenges draw me away and fill my mind and my heart with worries and concerns. God feels distant, like He belongs to someone else.

Then He nudges me and I remember. I belong to Him. I'm the one who has drifted away. He's been right there all the time. Waiting. Ready to pull me close again. Which is where I belong.

See God didn't just create mankind. He created me. He delights in me. He loves me. Yeah, I know. He loves you too. But this is about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. It's personal and intimate. It's full of my dependence on Him and His grace when He looks at me.

It's so easy to get caught up in the overview of christianity. We read about people and places. We believe the miracles and Jesus' death on the cross. And we know it's for us. All of us. But that sort of thing keeps God at a distance. It makes Him all about everyone and not about me. Do you know what I mean?

God desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. He wants to draw us close, to hear our voices as we talk with Him. He doesn't just view us as a bunch of humans He created. We are each unique and He loves us for who we are as individuals.

When I draw close to God, when I reach out to Him, I remember all that He has done for me. Not you or even us. What He has done for me. The times He has been there when no one else was. The times He has carried me through grief so deep I didn't think I could survive. And He has been there when I celebrated and danced with joy. Always, through every event in my life -- big or small -- He has been there. I love Him so.

I place my trust in the love He gives to me. He is there for me. I reach out and He grabs hold of me. My Father. My Savior. My Creator. My everything. Thank you.