Our thoughts often become actions
That is why we must be careful what we think about
It goes under the category of self control
A man who can control himself is better than he who can control a city
That’s because controlling others is easier than controlling oneself
Recognizing those thoughts that can be destructive can be difficult
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
Those thoughts, if left unchecked, can cause a lot of trouble
They can grow into unforgiveness, hatred, strife,
lofty thoughts that can give us a false sense of self, above God
While it is good to have a healthy love of yourself, as Jesus commanded:
love your neighbor as yourself
to have an opinion of yourself above others can cause issues in relationships, the way we relate to people and can affect our love toward them
and ultimately our relationship with God
as well as even our outlook and purpose, or feeling or lack thereof, on earth
and if we think or talk negatively,
that can affect our present and even future thinking
Count others better than yourself
If you say that you love God and hate your brother, you are a liar
I suppose it could touch on the fruits of the spirit as well: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
I’ve never been so good at some of the fruits of the spirit
I’m not joyful by nature, some are easier than others but the ones I’m not good at seem to be reminders of my failings
Happiness and joy are different
We think of joy as happiness and glee
Joy is different
Joy is a profound measure of contentment and great pleasure,
not just jubilation
That’s how I see it anyway
The joy that we have as Christians is for the things we know God has done
Laughter is good and Proverbs says that “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones” Proverbs 17:22
How do we reconcile our outlook on this earth
when even Paul didn’t want to be here?
Life is tough
Especially when friendship with the world is enmity with God
Life is filled with challenges and triumphs
Our walk with God can conflict with our happiness here on earth
That is where we have to put His will above ours
Remember the grumbling Israelites? I’m one of them sometimes. Maybe that’s why I haven’t yet made it to the promised land? half joking here
God wasn’t pleased with their attitudes and He let them know in many ways Some were not able to get the end reward
When Jesus was here, He experienced disappointments
And we are encouraged to share in the fellowship of His suffering
We are also told to leap for joy when we are persecuted and treated badly
A command from our savior while He was walking on earth,
experiencing the flesh
God, You tell us to think on the lovely, the good, the virtue and praise
That can take much effort, Lord, but you told us that for a reason
We’re all created differently, have had different and unique experiences that helped to shape and mold us, our crosses to bear, we might say
Remind us, Lord Jesus, as we walk with You
Scriptural References:
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Proverbs 23:7
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:39
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:26
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1 John 4:20
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22&23
I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live, knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. Philippians 1:23-25 NLT
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. Numbers 14:20-24
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
Numbers 14:26&27
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Luke 6:23
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Disappointment is how I feel 2/3rds of the time, in complete honesty. Being introspective, Im not angry, im not ungrateful…but Im consistently disappointed. By others and in myself. I have a high view of people I love, and hold them (and myself) to a standard. When we fail it takes me weeks to get back to a hopeful state. I dont know why. I feel as though I have a solid understanding of God and His Word. Perhaps because Im prone to depression? Im not sure but the “bounce back” isnt easy AT ALL for me. I dwell on the failure, the disappointment and the let down of it all until I “feel” better and its time to forgive or that God has forgiven me. I am driven by feelings, which is a unique instrument and powerful when Im right with the Lord, but DEEPLY depressive when not.
It is so hard to be a human. I have a friend who reminds me there are always lessons in everything we experience. Ask Him to show you what He is trying to teach you. Sometimes we have habits. I have no answers for others except for what I have gained the victory in. My walk has a lot of similarities to yours. Mind over matter in Him. I think many of the disciples and prophets were suffering. Jesus Himself was suffering and that’s why He encourages us to rise above it, in Him of course. Not on our own snap-out-of-it style that we are taught in the world. Just keep trusting Him to show you the best way to overcome. I’m confident He will.