Set Your Mind On Things Above

So many thoughts and feelings want to infiltrate our minds as soon as we open our eyes each morning and our feet hit the floor. Way too often, they are of a negative nature. The tasks we have to do, the things we didn't get done the day before, irritating people, irritating situations, things that went wrong, things that aren't going our way, clean this, do that, I'm tired, why do people have to be like this, etc.....the list goes on and on and on.

Stop. Breathe. Re-focus. 

All of those things are lies and manipulation from satan to distract us from the wonderful blessings God has bestowed upon us simply by waking us up. Thank the Lord I have dishes in my sink, because it means we have food on our table and that my kids are still with me! Thank the Lord I have a job even on days it is challenging, He has given me a place to serve others and is providing for my family. Thank the Lord He shows me grace each day when I irritate Him with my fleshly, selfish tendencies and emotions. May I extend the same grace to others! Thank the Lord for things gone wrong, so it will teach me the lessons to face other challenges or to help others going through similar situations.

Mindset. Perspective. 

It is something we have to consciously practice daily. It is also something we cannot achieve on our own. We must seek the help of our Heavenly Father through prayer and also dive into His Word to help us combat those moments of weakness. Even Jesus quoted scripture when Satan attacked! Why shouldn’t we practice the same strategy?

Philippians 4:4-8 KJV reads, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

From Lysa TerKeurst’s Seeing Beautiful Again, "Rather than giving space to any lies that are trying to come in and set up camp in your mind today, remember that God has given instructions for a better place to park our thoughts. This doesn't mean we deny ourselves processing hard things or complicated relational struggles, but it does mean we intentionally direct our thoughts toward what is right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy. In the midst of the messes, the frustrations, the aggravations and irritations, I can still be a noticer of some good and redirect where I choose to park my mind. Is this self-help hype? No, it's the Truth that when applied, actually works. When we set our minds on the things of God, we will have direct and immediate access to the peace of God." 

So the next time you wake up in the morning grumbly and frustrated before your day has even begun, do yourself a quick favor. Take the house shoes off, crawl back into bed. Pull the covers up, and then try that again, except this time....REJOICE!!

Set your minds on things above!! May your cup runneth over.