Welcome to my Priority One blog series. I choose to start my week on Active Rain with a post about something from the Word of God or my thoughts about walking through this life as a follower of Jesus Christ.
This week has provoked thoughtfulness. As I have pushed through another week another month without measurable positive results in areas that have proved stubborn to change, I have struggled to not give into that tempting place of discouragement. I say tempting, because if I go there, I might just talk myself into that next place of thinking it's okay to stop fighting and to accept less than what I believe God has for me.
It is important in these times that I don't listen to my own thoughts and emotions because they just can't be trusted. In everything, I need to be careful how I look at things: by whose standards I am to judge my circumstances.
My way of thinking has been shaped over the years by too many unreliable influences. I'm sure any of you reading this can say the same thing!
- My standard says I am physically and mentally tired of the struggle...God's standard says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and His grace is sufficient for me.
- My standard says I am overweight and unhappy with my body....God's standard says I am His workmanship, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
- My standard says I am not seeing enough results for my labor and am therefore unsuccessful...God standard says "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11
- My standard says I am woefully unrighteous as I struggle with impatience and frustration, self-centeredness, an often too critical attitude, and a tongue that is too quick and sometimes too harsh, and . . . God's standard says my righteousness is in Him, and He is faithful and just to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
I could go on....and probably so could you.
So today I wish you the peace of Christ in your hearts. And together I pray with you: Lord, help me today to look at my situations with the mind of Christ...to measure my circumstances according to YOUR standards and not my own. Help me to remember that your purposes are infinitely different from the things the world says are important. And thank you, that as I strive to follow your Word, that by your Holy Spirit, you allow the Christ in me to show forth more each day, the "self" in me to be replaced with your love and kindness.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control....Gal 5:22-24.
Have a great Sunday, and join me as I put God first in everything...He is my Priority One!
Be Blessed!
Join me during the week as I share information about the real estate market and life and living around Windsor and its surrounding towns in Hartford County, Connecticut.
Comments(13)