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!
Thank you for a great message.
I’m reminded that God never promised us an easy journey, just a soft landing.
Excellent, My mantra is I am healthy, I am calm, I am joyful. I keep it positive. I read somewhere that the mind does not always respond to the words such as not and never. So I try to keep my mantras positive. Blessings to all. Stay healthy ❤️
A good word this morning! There is power in our words. As Christians the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear but of Power. 2 Timothy 1:7
Preach!! And, amen…may it be so.
TANIA I love your Sunday blogs. You always say what God lays on your heart to help some of us (me) to remember exactly who is in charge of our lives ant to be more trusting in the Lord.
Your post today was timely. And your topic so on point. So many of us right now are anxious, concerned, afraid and exhausted. We worry all day and feel powerless. And it’s okay to admit that. It brings us to that reminder that we are not in this alone, yes as humans of course, but it is our faith that is with us always and now more than ever let us embrace it and the message of what is going on. Faith is the vessel that helps get us through and brings us peace. Love nourishes our soul. It is not the time to shed negativity on how others are handling their personal stresses. We are doing the best we can, how we can. But let us comfort each other, share positive thoughts, teaching, actions and support on how to stay healthy and abide by commonsense advisories. Things like fashion, humor, silliness are not wasteful. We need some distractions to lightened the heaviness of what’s going on. When tragedy or hard times come upon us, we look for simplicity in life. Loved ones, gratefulness, simple food, fresh air, comforts of home and understanding and forgiveness. I know in my heart we will get through this, changed, probably still imperfect in some ways, but stronger and hopefully better as a people
Amen and thank you for your posts – your reminder of remaining positive is definitely an important message.
Amen, I can’t imagine going through all of the uncertainty without the Lord. These are trying times, but we will get through it. And yes, a positive attitude does so much for us and those around us!
Thanks for the encouragement!!!
Very good! Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak reassuring words to us.
I appreciate your Sunday messages very much! I made “Joe’s Cake” this morning and took it to our local grocery store employees! They they have been working literally day and night to keep our little store feeding the community!
Amen, Amen
I look forward to your Sunday messages for the reminders that we need in times when life is rough. But also that we need God as the focus in our lives first and formost. Have a grear day!
A wonderful message….thank you!
So strange that a podcast I follow mentioned this verse Tuesday and read a meditation written by James Allen aloud to the audience. I printed the meditation and have been reading parts of it daily. It is very thought provoking. The podcaster read it for 30 days straight earlier this year but did not share the impact it had on his life. My plans are to read the meditation every day and to journal my thoughts. Maybe we could start a group challenge to help us keep focus and develop bonds during these troubled times.
Amen!
I do not live in fear, yes, I KNOW that GOD is in control. How comforting! Every passage brings us peace. I can’t imagine my life without God in it. And you are so right on about what you think and what’s in your heart. I really appreciate you sharing Gods word with everyone. You are a LIGHT to the world as we should ALL be!!! Thanks!!
Amen. Thank you
Thank you for the comforting words. And thank you for your daily posts. It’s nice to have a normal safe place to come to forget what’s happening around us.
Thanks for your positive thoughts this morning!
Thank you for sharing your positive thoughts! You are a great example of love!
Janet-You may have been struggling to find the words, but you did and they are just perfect. I, too, believe that our thoughts shape our reality. I had a few shaky moments yesterday, but today with the sunshine I will do a personal re-set. Thank you for reminding me what I already knew, through faith and yoga. I SHALL be positive 🙂
Thank you for sharing – a great reminder to us all to refocus our thoughts. I am so happy that I recently found your blog and so enjoyed browsing through past posts!
Yes thank you so much!! I needed those words- especially the Word – putting a positive outlook on our circumstances is the best way to live!!??
In a time of trial, the Lord used you to share His word! Praise the Lord and thank you for your words!
Thank you for the inspirational message! Every little bit of positive energy and encouragement helps us all! Truly, we will get through this with God’s guidance and grace…and pulling together to comfort, encourage and support one another. God bless you for what you do every day to help us all keep our faith!!
Amen! God is in control!
Well said. Thank you!
Read your post on FB and some guy is friend requesting other responses….
Stay well and prayers to all … we will get through this??
Comforting to know God’s in control.
AMEN!!
Excellent! How refreshing to read something positive with so much negativity all around us!
Thank you for this! I really needed this today! I hardly ever get a cold. ?
So well said. We need to nourish our body and mind and especially spirit. All of these, even more in these times. We need to dig into the practical advice as well as hope and inspiration found in the Bible. And encourage and uplift each other.
What a beautiful, timely post. And one that will remain with me. Very grounding. Thank you. Stay well x
Amen! I cannot imagine going through this without our God! Hope that you all stay focused on our Creator. Stay healthy!
Thank you Tania. I really needed to hear that today.
Encouraging words at such a unsettled time.
Thank You, Tania
May his light shine down on us.
Thanks for sharing this message! Very uplifting!!
I totally agree. God is in control and we are in His hands! Thank you for sharing. And I agree with your positive outlook! It works for me too!
Thank you for those wise words.
Thank you ? Thinking only positive thoughts ? Thanks for reminding me
Thank you. And I agree. I keep slipping though; into fear. It’s scary so an appropriate reaction. But I need to catch it and reverse my thoughts. Thanks for being a fun and encouraging place to turn.
I think you said exactly the right thing at the right time and really appreciate you!
. I listed to a local churches remote service tonight and they are having everyone set their alarms for 7:14 a.m and p.m to pray the sameness time for healing. I though that was a great idea!