Monday, February 25, 2013

The Best Means of Gun Control

Am I the only one who struggles with negativity?  I can be having a great day, but then one negative comment said to me or one less than wonderful thing can happen and I am in a rotten mood.  Too many times I allow circumstances to control my mood.  This is not a new idea, but it really is true that when I fill my mind with positive, Godly things, I am less likely to allow words said or rotten news to ruin my day.  I can tell   (and I'm sure those around me can tell) when I haven't been in the Word like I need to be.  When I saturate my life with God's love and His promises, I find myself dwelling on negative things less often.  Praise music and reading and thinking about scripture and just talking with the Lord are ways I keep my mind focused on Him.  I think this is what Paul means when he writes in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18   Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.When I fill my life with other things (not necessarily bad things, but things that take my focus away from the Lord), I find that I am more likely to allow negative comments and situations to overwhelm me.   I admit it, this is a struggle for me.  
The other day, Luke and I were having a nerf gun war, and every time I would shoot him, he would pick up the bullet and give it back to me. I thought it was hilarious because he didn't realize that he was just setting himself to be shot.  At that point, I realized that is what I do all the time.  When I am not filling my life with God's Word, I am leaving room for negative thoughts to take over.  It's as if I am just giving satan bullets to shoot me with negativity.  If I am FULL of Godly things, there is no room for the negative. When I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ,  then I know my thoughts will be for my good and His glory.  We know that His will is what's best for us- He has a plan for us and He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.  Well, Paul says that God's will for us is to rejoice always and pray continually, giving thanks in all circumstances.  I think Paul is one person who understands what is means to have joy even in the worst situations.  I think this explains how he did that.  If anyone had an excuse to allow negativity to take over his mind, it was Paul. 
I have to make an effort to keep my thoughts pure and healthy. Lord, fill me until I am overflowing and your love flows over to others.  Let satan waste those bullets if he wants to, there's no room for them to lodge in me- I'm already full!  

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