Three Things to Focus on Instead of Myself

In Colossians 3:2 I read, “Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here.” (TLB)

True freedom comes when I focus my mind on God’s truth. But how do I focus my mind on the right things so I can experience freedom? Here are three things I can do that will make the biggest difference in managing your mind.

First, think about Jesus. Hebrews 12:3 says, “Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying” (NCV). Thinking about Jesus is what gives me the power to keep on going. I Keep my mind on who the Bible says he is and the example he’s given me for how to live a life that pleases God.

Second, think about others. “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24 NCV). Most of the people around the world think about themselves first. So anybody who thinks more about others than they do about themselves is going to shine. When I choose to think about what others may need and how I can help, I’ll find it’s hard to let my problems get me down.

Third, think about eternity. The Bible says in Colossians 3:2, “Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here” (TLB). Whatever I’m worried about today is probably not going to matter in five years, much less in eternity. Everything is put into perspective when I think about my life in light of eternity.

Whatever situation I’m facing today, stop and think about what I’m thinking about. Then choose to focus on Jesus, others, and my home in eternity. It will take the focus off of me, which is how God intended for me to live. And it will transform my life!

In summary, let heaven fill my thoughts and don’t spend time worrying about things here on earth. True freedom comes when I focus my mind on God’s truth. So, here are three things I can do. First, think about Jesus. Thinking about Jesus is what gives me the power to keep on going. Keep my mind on who he is and the example he’s given me. Second, think about others. I tend to think about myself first. So thinking more about others than I do about myself is going to help me shine. When I choose to think about what others may need and how I can help, I’ll find it’s hard to let my problems get me down. Third, think about eternity. Whatever I’m worried about today is probably not going to matter in five years. Everything is put into perspective when I think about my life in light of eternity. Whatever situation I’m facing today, stop and consider what I’m thinking about. Choose to focus on Jesus, others, and my home in eternity. It will take the focus off of me, and will help transform my life.

Father, it is time for me to stop focusing on what will happen next with my job role. I need to just think about your Son Jesus and his example, then focus on others. Father I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I will trust you with your plans for my next job. I continue to ask for healing for both Jeanne and myself from our head colds. I thank you for the relief we are beginning to experience. These things I ask and pray in you Son Jesus’ name, amen.

10/23/20 - Daily Hope - (Home, Folsom)

Am I Telling Myself the Truth?

Romans 8:5 

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” (NLT)

There are times when I feel hostage to my thoughts. I can’t get a thought out of my mind. Or I often find myself doing things I don’t want to do. I knowingly engage in self-defeating behavior. I know something is not good for me, but I do it anyway.

Romans 7:23 says, “I see a different law at work in my body—a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body” (GNT).

Because of my sinful nature, I think of myself and my wants more than what God wants. It’s a battle in my mind, and I’m losing it. My old nature, who I was before Jesus changed my life, is not my friend. It is the source of all my self-defeating habits that tend to take me down.

In order to break those habits and have more control over the way I think, I need to hear and understand this truth: I don’t have to believe everything I think.

My mind lies to me all the time. Just because I think something is true doesn’t make it true. Just because I feel something is true doesn’t make it true. My mind and my emotions often lie to me. Part of spiritual growth, becoming more like Jesus, is learning to know the difference between thoughts that are true and those that are not.

One of the most important disciplines I can build in life is to challenge my own thoughts. Say to myself, “I know what I’m thinking, but is that really true?”

No matter how far I go in my spiritual walk, my old, sinful nature will keep trying to take control of my thoughts. I have to learn to question them, not just one time but throughout my day and the rest of my life!

When I start to think nobody likes me, ask if that’s really true. If I think it’s never going to get better, ask if it’s true. When I think my life is worthless, question what Satan is trying to convince me of. Then, remember what I know from God’s Word to be true.

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit” (Romans 8:5 NLT).

In summary, those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. I have to admit that there are times when I feel hostage to my thoughts. I find myself doing things I don’t want to do, engaging in self-defeating behavior. I know something is not good, but I do it anyway. Because of my sinful nature, I think of myself and my wants more than what God wants. My old nature is the source of all my self-defeating habits that tend to take me down. In order to have more control over the way I think, I need to hear and understand this truth: I don’t have to believe everything I think. Just because I think something is true doesn’t make it true. Just because I feel something is true doesn’t make it true. Part of spiritual growth is learning to know the difference between thoughts that are true and those that are not. My old, sinful nature will keep trying to take control of my thoughts. I have to learn to question them, not just one time but throughout my day and the rest of my life! I need to remember what I know from God’s Word to be true.

Father, I thank you for providing me a way to combat my thoughts by replacing them with what you have told me is true. I ask with the help of the Holy Spirit in my life to keep this in mind when my mind goes awry and off track. I ask you also for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I also pray for healing for Jeanne and myself from our head colds. I trust you for my next job role, however, I would like to be encouraged by some news or promising prospects. These things I pray in you Son Jesus’ name, amen.