Although I firmly believe we shall see the goodness of God in the land of the living – the times we are walking through today are indeed challenging.
I do not have cable television, I don’t watch the news, or read the newspapers but each time I turn on my computer, I am inundated with what’s going on in the world. Stabbings, murders, shootings, abuse of children are just a few of the things we are being fed on a weekly basis.
Apart from that, we have the issues with our government, lack of supplies and the new laws being forced on our schools and children. It could certainly appear as a dark time. Frankly, I couldn’t stand looking at it any longer, it was starting to get in my heart and mind. Therefore, I figured out a way (I am not very computer literate) to change what I saw when I turned on my computer. Now, I see only good things and my mind and heart feel much lighter.
Philippians 4:8, in the Amplified Bible says…
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
It is vital what we set on mind on during times like these. We absolutely must keep our thoughts and our focus on God and His Word and His promises. That is what we must feed ourselves. Remember, what we feed will grow. Only what we water will grow. Be sure to water and feed the right things.
I consider myself a strong Christian, however, if I see those things before my eyes, even for brief moments of the day, they seem to pop up in my mind throughout the day and color everything around me. If we continue to think about negative things, we will begin to look through a negative lens.
If we focus on murders, violence and such things going on in the world, we will become paralyzed with fear and dread. That is not how the Word of God teaches us to live. Yes, we must be aware, but we cannot allow this to be our focus. We must, as God says, think on good things.
I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to spend daily time with God and in His Word right now. If you fail to do that, the negative will overwhelm you. You will become depressed and hopeless. God does not want us living there.
I don’t know about you but I can tell when I need to get into the presence of God. Or I can tell when I need to read the Word to RENEW my mind. I can also tell when I need to praise and worship – to put the enemy in his place – under my feet.
The Bible says the joy of the Lord is our strength. In His presence is fulness of joy. Are you experiencing and walking in the fulness of the joy of the Lord today? Is your mouth filled with laughter? Are you overflowing with His presence? Is your mind and heart at peace. Are you expecting something good to happen today?
If not, why not?
If we are filled with God and His Word, we will be filled with joy and hope.
We will expect good things because our mind is renewed. We will be at perfect peace…if our mind and focus is stayed upon Him.
Friends, I am not denying these things are happening – I am simply refusing to allow them to become my focus. I am instead, choosing to feed only what I want to grow in me. Peace, joy and fulness of God. I pray you can and will do the same, regardless of the times we are in.
