Romans 8:6 (NLT) So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your action; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” ~Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tze~
Recently, in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, I read her opening sentence: “Let me control your mind.”
She goes on to say, “The mind is the most restless, unruly part of mankind.”
Why are our minds so hard to give up to Christ?
Why is it such a challenge to give our thoughts to Him, first and foremost?
As I peruse my bookshelf, I read titles like, “You’re Already Amazing,” “The Power of a Positive Mom,” “Love Idol,” “Hello Beauty-full,” “You’re Loved No Matter What,” “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.”
All of these titles remind me that our thought life is of the utmost importance to God. He cares not only for our external well-being, but more importantly, our internal selves.
He wants us to remember how much we are loved by Him. How much He cares for us. That He has numbered the very hairs on our heads.
That we are princesses in His eyes.
I’m preaching to myself, here folks.
These are things that I constantly struggle with. Despite knowing in my head that I’m cherished, chosen, celebrated, and created by Him. I still forget…my short-term memory loss kicks in and I think that I’m just another nobody.
I’ve been around people who are clearly giving their thought and spiritual lives to Him. They’re the ones who are at peace and calm and relaxed no matter what their external environment presents them.
Yes, I’m sure they have moments where they fall off the wagon and question and doubt God, but for the most part, they are walking hand-in-hand with Him.
I’ve also experienced times in which I’ve been the calm, relaxed, peaceful person. However, it seems lately that I’ve been the one wrecked with fear and anxiety.
How have I been managing it, you ask? Well, unfortunately, I’ve been behaving like an immature disciple. I’ve been more of a fan of Jesus than a follower.
See, a fan of Jesus is someone who’s only in it for the good that Jesus can give. A follower or a disciple has more of the attitude of Job from the Old Testament. In Job 2:10 we read his response to his wife who wants him to curse God for the troubles that have befallen them, “He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Why should I expect to receive only good from God? Especially when Jesus tells us in John, chapter 16 that, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
He tells us right there…in red letters…that we WILL have trouble. We will have trials and sorrows. But we are to be encouraged because He has overcome the world.
There are battles still waging, but the war has been won.
If I already know who wins the war, why am I fretting? What do I have to be anxious about?
The astoundingly simple answer is: NOTHING.
But alas, being human in my imperfections, I still worry. But my worry comes more from a place of concern that God’s not handling things MY way, rather than seriously wondering if God will take care of me and always be there for me.
Because, in my heart of hearts, I know He is there. He has always been there. He will always be there.
Because I am His. And He loves me. Completely. Unconditionally. Perfectly.
And when I give Him complete control of my thought life, He will never allow me to forget this.
