A brand new day is dawning here in South Carolina and the weather forecasters say it will be a beautiful weekend, sunshine and 70’s. But a storm is coming, and we’ve had a state of emergency declared, as Hurricane Irma blows her way toward Florida and then into the southeastern states.
Today my mood is light and, like the weekend forecast, I anticipate a fun weekend ahead with my hubby. Right now the worries over my own life storms seem far, far away . . .
We all have stuff that can weigh us down don’t we? The negative thoughts (real or imagined) that assault our minds, or actual outward circumstances that we can’t control. The good news is:
God is greater.
God is greater than our thoughts
So many times a negative thought has popped into my head and I’ve allowed it to stay. Scripture tells me to do spiritual battle and take every thought captive to obedience in Christ (II Cor. 10:4-5), but what do I do? I’ve taken that thought and allowed my mind to run with it, and before I know it the thought has overtaken and overwhelmed me.
These thoughts of mine might be reminders of the times I’ve failed, or point out my weaknesses, they might be words of doubt over my ability to accomplish a task that lies before me, or they may whisper to me of my lack of training and experience to achieve the dreams I’m pursuing. My thoughts have often condemned me with reminders of my great sin. But God is greater than my thoughts!
God gives us the ability, through spiritual warfare, to take every thought captive to obedience in Christ (II Cor. 10:4-5) and He commands us in Romans 12:2 not to conform to the pattern of this world (with it’s stinking thinking), but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
God is greater than our circumstances
Maybe it isn’t the accusations in your head but your outward circumstances that cause you to feel weak and beaten down. The storms of life, sickness, money concerns, worry over your children, the storms you see on the horizon and the great “what if’s.” Perhaps your particular life circumstance has gone on and on, and you’ve wondered, “When will it ever end?” I’ve had these same thoughts friends.
But listen, when we allow our minds to dwell (reside, live, lodge, put up, stay in) on our circumstances:
We are living in reaction to circumstances rather than to who He is! Click To TweetGod is greater than our circumstances and may even reveal Himself in a grander way than He ever has before through our circumstances! He is pretty amazing that way.
God is on our side even when we are unaware of what He’s doing.
In II Kings 6:15-17 Elisha was being pursued by the king of Aram because he was always alerting the king of Israel to where he planned next to mobilize his forces. One morning a servant of Elisha’s came to him warning him that they were surrounded by troops, and chariots, and horses. Elisha’s response was to tell him not to fear. He then asked God to open the servant’s eyes and when the young man looked up he saw the hillsides filled with heavenly horses and chariots of fire!
Lord, make what I cannot see the greatest reality of my life. Click To Tweet
PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help us to take our eyes off the turmoil around us and open our eyes to heavenly realities. Help us to dwell on You, instead of dwelling on the negative thoughts that come into our minds or on the outward circumstances of our lives.
Show us Lord, how to become deeply rooted in Your Word, how to enjoy time in Your presence, praying yes, but also listening for Your voice. Meet with us as we offer songs of praise and worship to You, just as You tell us in the word, that You inhabit the praises of your people. I want that!
And may we become more aware of heavenly realities as You become our dwelling place. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Don’t let circumstances determine your day, but remember that every day is a great day because He is on the throne!
Blessings friends,
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
SundaysAtHome, TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday, WriterWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
I am so preoccupied with praying for my loved ones in SO FL Patti but this beautiful post and gorgeous pics took my mind off for a few – thank you. AND THAT GREEN hydrangea!!!
Thank you Susan. I’m so happy to hear that your loved ones were all okay after the storm. Hugs!
Thanks i truly needed that today.
Thanks Marlene and God bless <3
Patti I am in Southern California with a couple of my BFF’s and I read your post and we were so blessed by your words of encouragement. Luv and miss you
Ahhh, thank you Karen. I’m so glad you got to be with your besties in SoCal and really happy that you all read and were blessed by my post. Love and miss you too!
Thank you so much for this post. We all know that this is true, but we still need the reminder that HE is in control.
We DO know it intellectually Tommie but it can be so hard to remember when the storms arise. Blessings 🙂
Thank you Patti. As a veteran “what if’er”, I have great difficulty trying to take those thoughts captive sometimes. It is so hard for those of us who are prone to be anxious. It is so hard to “Be still and know that I am God…” Ps. 6:10 sometimes. Your reminder is totally true and very timely.
I know how hard it is Rhonda. It does take a concentrated effort to overcome anxious thoughts! Thank you for weighing in.