Thoughts

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

True. Honorable. Right. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. To sit and think of thoughts that fit in one or all of these categories, is such an easy thing to do. To think of this verse when we need it the most, not always so easy to do.

Can you say that when your boss hits you with a frustrating moment that you adjust those harsh thoughts into something that is admirable? Can you imagine how your day would finish if your thoughts are still pure and lovely after you’ve answered question number 37 for the day and none of your to-do list items are considered done? I challenge you to find the positives in every situation and adjust your thoughts to something true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable.

They say if you do anything for 21 days it becomes a habit. Try to live this verse and go to prayer each time your life gives you a challenging moment and see how you are left feeling at the conclusion of the experiment. I imagine if you don’t feel refreshed and rejuvenated that you truly didn’t focus on all the options Philippians 4:8 gives you.

“Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.” 1 Peter 2:12

How easy is it to allow the world’s influences to define your character? Someone belittles you and you allow it to sink in so deep that you start belittling yourself. Or one mistake or action is now the ultimate definition of who you are.

To me, this verse is given to us as a reminder. A reminder to live the best possible version of ourselves no matter what worldly influence we live through, good or bad, our fault or not. Not only does giving the world the very best of ourselves work in God’s favor, but it also shapes how we see ourselves and gives us that confidence we need to live through each adventure the day may bring.

It’s not always easy, it’s not always pleasant. But always strive to live life as God intended for you and see if your life isn’t enriched, and full of blessings.

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26

Have you ever had that day where you felt like nothing could go right, and failure greets you down every path? As you dwell on the negatives, your motivation to be successful that day grows weak and it leaves you to wonder…..”What am I even doing?”

I envy the people that are able to say you’ve never felt that. As life’s trials hit me head on, sometimes there are days that leave me wondering that very question. As well as similar questions “Can I ever make them happy?” “Do they appreciate what I’m even doing?” “Why should I keep trying?” “Why does this happen to me?”

Whatever your version is of that statement, you can take comfort in the message that you are never alone. Someone else is out there that has thought the same question and felt the same emotions that stem from feeling unsatisfied. How can we get out of the slump that creeps in our lives?!

The answer is simple, put our weakness in the Holy Spirit’s hands and embrace the situation as an opportunity to grow even closer to the purpose the Lord has for you on this Earth! He will take care of you with out complaint. If we look at the weakness as an enemy to our soul, we will fail to overcome the situation.

But, if we embrace the weakness in every moment we are given, and look to the Lord for answers, we will be swimming in the comfort He can provide us. We will grow even more in the faith that He gave us. The foundation of being a Christian has already been laid in each of our hearts. The trials we go through are the bricks that are used to build the “church” within our souls in order to have an internal place to worship God in everything we do!

Insecurity and pressure are two words that by definition are not directly related but when involved in the same emotional mindset, go hand and hand in the impact they make. I notice myself allowing my insecurities to take precedent over my realities, strongest when I lack the obedience to stay in tune with my devotionals. When I put God to the side and focus on things to worry about, my insecurities flood to the forefront of my relationships. I set my self up for failure even before my day begins when I’m not putting God first.

Insecurities lead to all kinds of thoughts and pressure. Pressure on myself to be the best, to read people’s mind, and to please everyone who walks in my path. Pressure on my friends to be certain to put me first and be the absolute best friend I strive to be to them. Pressure on my family to make me feel important, included and loved just as much, if not more, than the next relative. Pressure on the squirrel who walked across the street interrupting my drive to walk faster in a game of chicken, car versus rodent.

But seriously, who am I to allow my insecurities to define expectations that NO ONE can live up to. Who am I to allow my perfectionist nature be the driving force of my life, ultimately setting bars I or my friend/family/squirrel can never truly reach, which puts me in an endless cycle of insecurities, worries, pressure, repeat. The common force behind all the struggle is a lack of Godly devotion and prayer for the worldly things to remain as trivial and unimportant as they truly are, and for God to be number one in my life like He’s defined to be.

It’s amazing the conversation I can have with myself when I’m living Gods way verses living my way. It’s amazing the peace, patience, and definite sense of purpose that is evident when God’s ruling my thoughts. I invite you all to find God like I can find God. The truth is, you can’t ever push the worldly hectic insecurities from your life. But, you can remind yourself of the purpose God has put you here for, insecurities and all.

"…Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you and he will prepare your way…" Mark 1:2

Originally, this verse identifies John the Baptist. But, it can also serve as a constant reminder that as our faith is put in God’s hands, and God’s purpose for/in our lives, He will provide a messenger/guide to prepare the way He intends for us to have. Our human instincts teach us to be afraid of unknowns, but fear of unknowns, to me, identifies lack of full trust that God’s way for you is the right way. Why do we try to identify the meaning behind things when God provides the meaning for all things in His will and direction of our futures?

As I am lying in bed, unable to sleep from the overwhelming weight of items on my mind. The first thing, after my memorized to-do list, that comes forward are all the ways God has shown me and reminded me that life isn’t about my overwhelming list of worldly items. It’s about living for God and for His purpose in my life.

It’s amazing how God reminds you… He’s in control! After what felt like a tremendously intense day, I started explaining it and only had 3 sentences to share. In the moment, things can seem catastrophic. In reality, NOTHING is too great for God to handle. Let it go, and let God work. It’s so easy to get carried up in life! And God keeps saying to me “Ashley, I’ve got this.” At least God knows all….especially that I am only human, striving to be like God, but exemplifying human tendencies.