AS A MAN THINKETH
As I sit here in front of the computer, I am struggling. I don’t know what to say or how to say the right thing. There is so much happening in the world right now, and most people have no idea where to turn. I do know where to turn and who to turn to, and for that, I am very grateful. I can’t imagine how I would feel if my only hope during this time of upheaval was in mankind. Mankind will let us down, mankind will make mistakes, and mankind will look out for their own best interests. My daughter and I were talking this week about how to keep a proper mindset and a positive outlook during this crisis. Your thoughts and your words play a huge part in your reality, and keeping them focused on the positives during this time is essential. I came across this Bible verse this week, and it keeps popping up inside my mind.
Proverbs 23:7
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
This verse was saying that even though someone might tell you to “eat up,” in his heart, he is calculating how much it costs him to feed you. In his heart, he was stingy, so even though his words said one thing, his thoughts and heart said something else.
What if our thoughts shape our reality? How many of you have said, “I think that I might be catching a cold?” I used to be guilty of this, and it seemed like I was always sick. One winter, I decided to change my thoughts, and I started saying over and over again, “I never catch a cold. I am hardly ever sick.” I kind of felt silly at first because I didn’t believe what I was saying. But, after repeating those words every time someone mentioned a cold, I started to believe what I was saying was true. You know what…I never catch a cold, and I am hardly ever sick!
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Renew your mind, renew your thoughts. What is going on in the world is not in our control, but our thoughts and reactions are. You can say, “I know that I am going to get this virus,” or you can say, “I trust the Lord that no matter what happens He will be here and will walk with me and my family as we go through this season.” Your body is a funny creature; it responds to what you tell it in your mind.
Have you ever known someone who gave up the “will” to live? It wasn’t that their physical body got sick; it was that their thoughts gave up. They willed themselves to die, even though they might not have been ill otherwise. If someone can “will” themselves to die, then we can “will” ourselves to live.
Let me give you an example of how your body reacts to your thoughts. Have you ever had a dream where you were scared? Maybe you were being chased by a bear, and you were running for your life. The bear was looking for you, and he was getting closer and closer, and then you woke up. Was your heart pounding, were you sweating or out of breath? Did it take you a few minutes to calm back down? Or, have you ever been falling in your dream and wake yourself up because you jumped to try to keep from falling? I am betting everyone has had this experience.
Someone reading this might contract the virus, but how you react and think can play a huge roll in your recovery. Pray to the Lord and keep a positive outlook. Remember, the Lord is the one in control. And, honestly, who else would you want with you? He parted the sea, He healed the sick, He raised the dead, He stilled the winds and waters, He created this world, and we are HIS children.
Yes, these times are scary. But, they are also a time to renew your spirit, get closer to your family, and loved ones. Let’s come together, in thoughts, in words, and in deeds.
1 Corinthians 1:10
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
It is time to unite as a world and come together as a whole.
Have A Blessed Day!
WOW! That was very powerful and I thank you! So true!
Thank you for the positive scripture and speaking from your heart. I am changing my therapy practice from seeing clients in person to telehealth starting this week. I had a test of it and it did not work! I then remembered that you wrote about not knowing how to do a blog or how to run an online business but you persevered and did it!
I will keep at it and doing another trial run tomorrow. I believe that in our anxiety and uncertainty that perhaps blessings will come out of this. I know that I need to stay positive and hopeful and trust God through this scary time! Thank you for giving me hope that I can do this on-line and hopefully I can give others peace and hope because I know that God is always with me
That was an amazing devotional post today, my friend! You are so right in that what we say is what our life becomes and I have been trying to practice that for a few years. Like you, it has changed my life! Thank you for sharing your faith & wisdom!
Blessings to you and Joe! Thanks for making me smile!
What a beautiful and inspiring post today. I was especially moved by reading a Romans 12:2. That’s been my own personal verse for my entire Christian walk since I first believed at age 40. For 30 years those words of Paul’s have echoed through my heart, as my father died, followed by Sept 11 only a month later, then again as my mom passed three years ago and then my beloved schnauzer. I realized that the way to peace in my heart was to put on a good attitude — truly like armor. Don’t let the heartache and worries of this world bring me down. The philosopher William James observed “Thoughts become perception, perception becomes reality. Alter your thoughts, alter your reality.” And he stated “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” To me this means that our attitudes control our circumstances, not the other way around. The Lord wants us to not be troubled and burdened by circumstances and we are actually being disobedient if we indulge in fretting and fussing. He has a plan for me, and it’s my job to stay healthy and strong, both mentally and physically. So I’m taking time to be mindful and quietly contemplative, deep breathing when my Apple Watch reminds me to, knowing that I was gifted with the ability to increase the calming effects by parasympathetic stimulation that relieves stress and sets worry aside. If ever the words “one day at a time” were apropos it’s now. I’m going on with my life full of the promise that when I’m called home it’s my time but I’ll go kicking and screaming. A rebel at heart I guess!