For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
I threw a big party Monday night. For me and my pitiful self.
Granted, it had been a rough few days prior to the blow-out. [Insert violin music, and imagine lots of blah-blah-blah so I can spare you the details.]
So Monday about 7:00 p.m., I was reaching into the refrigerator for a Diet Coke when my back revolted in a new and unexplained pain that still hasn’t gone away.
It was the final straw. You know that straw, the one that breaks the camel’s back.
Or so I thought.
“I’ve had enough. I can’t take anymore!”
My thoughts drifted to 1 Corinthians 10:13:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
But I didn’t believe it.
I thought, “Nope, not true this time. This is more than I can bear.”
So I cried. I had been trying not to cry since last Thursday, the day I had sinus surgery. Crying would aggravate my already congested nose. But I couldn’t help myself.
Or so I thought.
Well, think again.
Because I was wrong.
The life God desires for me is not always what I think.
I was thinking my thoughts.
I should have been thinking His thoughts.
His thoughts are better, higher, wiser, truer.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
If I’m to live my life for Him, I need to think the thoughts of His. Not mine.
My thoughts have holes. His thoughts are solid.
My thoughts are scattered. His thoughts are complete.
The life He desires for me is of freedom, satisfaction, contentment. No matter what. That’s what I needed to be thinking.
It took me awhile to end the party, to get back the right train of mind. It took some Philippians 4:8 and some 2 Corinthians 10:5. Some discipline, some prayer, some repentance.
But finally the lights went out, the music stopped, the sole guest went home. When I thought clearly, honestly, about Him and His promises, I knew everything would be okay.
Because,
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13.
And that’s not only what I think.
It’s also what I know.
* * *
Cultivating the Life God Desires
10 comments:
It's important to know that you have the choice--but it's also important to vent the emotions, which are God's gift to us, too. I think of that old saying, "It's fine to sit on your pity pot, but make sure when you're done, you flush." :)
I love your honesty Lisa. I've had those pity parties too. Replacing the lies with Scripture is a great way to focus on what is good, lovely and true.
But as humans, we do have emotions that can overcome us at times. I've found that it helps me to go to the Lord with my emotions. I remember Beth Moore saying that she tattles to God when people hurt her. Instead of talking to others about it, she tells the Lord. He already knows but it helps her emotionally she said.
So, that is what I often do.
Blessings and love to you Lisa,
Debbie
You are absolutely right my friend. Sometimes in the midst of our storms, we can not grab hold of the scriptures that would empower us. However, the one above who loves us dear will grab a hold of us until we end our pity parties and realize, HE IS STILL HERE!!! Hallelujah! BE ENCOURAGED MY SISTER!
Thanks, friends. Yes, gotta let those emotions out yet keep them trained by the Word. I appreciate your encouragement!
Oh, me too! Me too!
"The life He desires for me is of freedom, satisfaction, contentment. No matter what. That’s what I needed to be thinking."
Thank you so much for sharing today.
Wonderful post Lisa...great verses to tuck away in our hearts. I can relate to this so much having had uterine cancer surgery two weeks ago....
Philippines 4:13 helped me alot ~Paraphrased:
"I can do all things through Christ who continually pours His strength into me."
Hope and pray today that your recovery continues to go well and you are continually comforted by God's loving arms and His healing touch.
This post came at just the right time for me. Lisa, As I was reading this, I realized that we can just as easily be tempted to NOT to do the good things we ought to do as we are tempted to do the things we shouldn't. Just today, in relation to dealing with my aging parents, I had a pity party (again) and told my sister that "I cannot do this anymore." I'm tempted to quit, give up, not care. That's what would be easiest. And then, I read your post. . . .
So true! I had a similar party Monday and posted about it. Thank goodness for grace!
Renee, I love the paraphrase of Phil 4:13. It's all about Christ!
Stephani, sounds like you and your sister are like me and mine. Praying for you both as you hang in there...
Elizabeth, I'll click over to your site to check out the party you had. :-) Yes, thankfully we have grace to clean up our party mess!
What a great post!!! I totally agree. BTW...I found you thru Ann @ A Holy Experience. Thanks so much for such an honest post!
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