"Where The Mind Goes...The Man Follows"

Proverbs 23:7 "For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he"

Let's talk about THOUGHTS!

Today I am in my second day of being sick (chest/sinus congestion- it's just that time of year!). So I was blessed by Joyce Meyer today since I was unable to attend church with my hubby. Joyce Meyer, like I have said many times before, is just amazing. She has struggled and she has overcome many hardships within herself and her life. I feel so connected to men and women of God who have overcome and BEEN THERE rather than people who have lived a peachy keen life and have no clue what it's like to suffer and struggle.

Another of Joyce's amazing books, which I read 3 years ago, but probably need to read again, is "The Battlefield of the Mind". This is what she focused on today- the mind, our thoughts and the battlefield that exists within each of those. I believe that we can be defeated solely by our thoughts! Our minds can go to scary, deep, dark places (at least I know mine can). I am constantly keeping my thoughts in check! My struggle is with the "WHAT IF" thoughts...and of course- the WHAT IFS are always something bad or negative. I know this is the devil trying to take over my thoughts. Only through the word of God and standing in the Victory of Christ can I overcome possession of my thoughts and start thinking in the RIGHT WAY!

Ephesian 4:23-24 "let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."

It is so easy to get caught up in THE WORLD.  To lose sight of our purpose on this Earth and to forget what we are called to do as Christians. Our thoughts and soon our time become focused on material possessions, worry, conflicts, deadlines, the internet, social media networks, kids' sports, money, work, TV shows...then all of a sudden we are wracked by guilt, sadness, depression, bitterness and discontentment. Sometimes we are so busy with the world that we forget about God's promise, God's word and our Christian walk. Our thoughts are taken over by earthly distractions and soon our thoughts and our feelings are not Christ like.

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good". Each day on this earth, in  my opinion, is a battle. We must put on our armor as Christians and embark on the journey day in and day out. There is no easy day! At least in my world. My hubby always gives me a hard time because my mind is constantly going, my wheels always turning and I have a hard time unwinding and relaxing! I know I am this way because of my childhood- I had to always be on my toes, always on the lookout for what was coming at me next, always on the defensive and always ready for a comeback- physically or mentally. (This is another reason why I LOVE TO BLOG- it releases some of those thoughts!) Sure I can lay around in my PJs all day but I promise you my mind has been working at full speed since I opened my eyes. So for me, controlling my mind and my thoughts, is my hardest battle. I constantly have to keep my mind from going back to the past, thus bringing hurt, guilt and rejection to the forefront or going into the future and worrying about what is to come or what I want to come. I have to constantly remind myself to live in THE NOW to appreciate the blessings in my life RIGHT NOW.

I know that our struggle with infertility has certainly taken my thoughts to some crazy places. I have to bring myself back and refocus on things I CAN CONTROL because our infertility is out of my hands and completely in the hands of our CREATOR and I have to trust in His plan for our future. The mind is such a powerful tool and a complicated place. Sometimes I feel like my mind is like a misbehaving two year old who has to constantly be put in TIME OUT for acting out! At those times I am mostly thankful for Christ's mercy and forgiveness. He knows I am not perfect, He knows my flaws and He knows my thoughts before they even register to me. That being said, He knows what I need and when I need it. So I am trusting in Him to keep giving me Peace in our situation and providing strength and healing.

The battle is not over, it will never be over, but I am thankful I have the Victory of God's word and His love to WIN THE BATTLE, everyday.

 Throughout her sermon, Joyce kept repeating:
"If you don't learn how to think like God thinks and speak like God speaks there is NO HOPE that you will ever having Victory in your life".

And it takes Victory to win the Battle of the Mind....I hope you get the Victory you need today and keep it for all your days to come.