I feel God has been telling for several seasons to find a way to control my thoughts. The things that flow through my head, my internal talk; when I learn to harness that I will live fully alive. So many things in the word say a man is as he thinks. Meaning we are what we think of ourselves. And, if I’m honest my thought life is horrible.
Here’s why I think God is speaking – consider these sermons I’ve stumbled upon recently
-We are what we remember and what we forget (Elevation Church)
-Self Meet Self – what are you saying to yourself. (Community Church)
“Finally, brothers and sisters whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -think about such things…” Philippians 4:8
God even calls us to FIX our mind on these things which says to me this is not our natural way. This is not how we are wired. We have to be intentional, we have to wrangle our thoughts into submission to what the word says, who God says we are.
Without this FIXING our minds will be slaves to our circumstances, our trauma, heartache, the opinions of others, the regrets of our past.
And I know because I am a slave to these things, but today I consider if I fixed my mind not only on what is lovely…. And acknowledging I am what I remember and what I forget – then maybe I could break the shackles of self defeat, shame, guilt, regret, and disappointment.
Follow as I guide you through who I remember about me , my life, my loves, and my dreams.
If I remember --- the day I met the best love of my lifetime. I walked into his store, and time moved still. For a better part of 5 years we loved each other through family death, loss, our own delayed development. We tried so hard… even though life has taken us on different paths. I remember that I experienced beautiful, real love. A man who covered me, a man who honored me – a man who took me to church, his family, and into his heart.
Remembering this and what God says about giving the desires of my hearts is why I a can say I will be loved by a great man again. I am a partner worth having. I am good woman.
Remembering the days I seemed to report on every part of the Lynchburg market in one day – writing the stories, updating the website, making it on-air. Doing the swimming story that saved lives --- remembering when I made it to my hometown station – a high in the pie out of the stadium shot I called and made reality --- remembering this I can say
I am a talent storyteller. I am a natural speaker. I am a world changer. I am a leader. I am a multitasker. I can and I will rediscover a career in media and tv somehow. I will live and eat off a career from my creative spirit. My greatness destiny is still before me.
If I remember those long distance runs --- putting one foot in front of the other—running the streets of Richmond, finally working out in a sports bra – the thrill of crossing the finish line of my first 10k – I can say I am able. I am disciplined. I am an active person. I will complete a half marathon it is in me.
I could go on and on.. and as I write this I feel the sparks of joy of dreams long forgotten. I the rattling of the shame shackles that keep me from loving – maybe this is the beginning of breakthrough , a reawakening , of the sunflowers poking through a weeded garden.
If you could remember the greatness you’ve already done, the obstacles you’ve overcome – what would they say about you?
First we REMEMBER -- then we FIX OUR MIND TO THESE THINGS--- NEXT we ACT!
To be continued….
