Do you ever get weary from too much negative "stuff"? Too much negative talk, and my heart gets heavy and my spirit gets sad. What about yours? Whether I am the giver or the receiver of complaints and whinings, it doesn't take long before I find myself wallowing in a quagmire of despair and doubt. I start to believe all the negative stuff, and things begin to seem pretty hopeless. Sometimes I feel bombarded and battered from it all. It quite literally takes its toll on me physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. So why are we so drawn to the negative? Why do we listen to it and allow our minds to be filled with such poison?
Philippians 4:4-9 sounds so wonderfully positive! If you haven't read it lately, or even if you have, read it again. It talks about rejoicing and the nearness of our Lord. It talks about not being anxious, but instead taking all our requests to God. It talks about being thankful, and about a peace that transcends all understanding that will guard our hearts and minds. I don't know about you, but my heart and mind are in dire need of guarding!
This blog is an attempt on my part to take a stand for things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. It is an attempt to invite sisters to come along with me as we purposefully search for these things as if they were treasures to be discovered and turned over and over in our minds as one would carefully examine every facet of a valuable jewel. Let's share them and fill our hearts and minds so full of "These Things" that there is no room for the negative. Let's spend our days rejoicing in the goodness of our God who leads us beside still waters, and steer clear of the undercurrents that threaten to suck us under into the murky waters of the deep.
So, if you would like to join me on this potentially mind-altering adventure, I would love your company. Here is our first assignment. 1. Read Philippians 4:8 over and over this week. 2. Commit it to memory if you will. 3. Choose one of the kinds of things we are told to think about, and search for it all week long.
4. When you notice it, jot it down if you can, so you won't forget 5. Thank God for it. 6. Rejoice! 7. Share it with the rest of us.
May the God of peace be with you.
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6 comments:
I am so glad you decided to do this and allow us all to enjoy your talent of writing and creativity.
Deb, I'm in! I need this challenge because I too get caught in the wave of negativity and feel overwhelmed by it from time to time. Thank you for doing this and please count me in. I need the accountability too. I will begin the assignment this week.
Deb, I consider your friendship to be all of "those things." Thank you for being willing to put yourself on the line in such a public way. Your grace is much needed in this weary old world.
Deb,
I'm a little behind as I just found your blog site. I'm so thrilled that you are open to sharing some of your thoughts and wisdom and are willing to take the time to put "these things" into words for the rest of us. I have known you in some way since I was in Jr. High (too many years to count) and have so much admired your spirit that seems to reflect God's peace. I know that I will benefit greatly from reading and sharing as you have asked us to do! Praying for God to bless this blog as you bless us with your writing.
BTW... I'm going to be looking for the "pure" this week as I start the assignment late. My thoughts tend to be re-running lots of negative tapes and experiences that are keeping me in bondage. I want to be able to find the pure healthy things to focus on so that God can be free to use me for my family this next week. When my thoughts are tangled up with anger, resentment, and retaliation I'm not emotionally free to take care of my children and husband like I know God is asking of me. Satan seems to be resurfacing things to keep me distracted. So...pure thoughts are my goal for this week!
Kerrie,
I'm with you on the "pure" things. Can you just imagine the freedom we will experience when one day in heaven we are finally released from every impure thought and motive, when we no longer struggle with our weaknesses. My favorite beatitude for a long time has been "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." I also love the phrase in a song we sometimes sing that says "When I see Thee as Thou art, love Thee with unsinning heart; then, Lord, shall I fully know something of how much I owe." The whole idea of having an unsinning, pure heart brings tears of joy to my eyes every time! I totally agree with you. We all need to look for things that are pure and fill our minds with them.
As an update on the pure thoughts, things seem a little easier today as I've taken some steps for forgiving. If we don't forgive we are just hurting ourselves and keeping that line of impure thoughts going. I've had to remind myself today of my commitment a few times and it is a challenge!
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