Have you ever felt inadequate? Stupid? Have you been intimidated? Or felt (fill in the blank)?
Each of us has. We have all experienced that feeling of being "less than." But what we feel is simply that. What we feel. Feelings. What we think is not necessarily true.
Have you ever been the victim of someone believing the worst about you? Especially when it is all lies! What they think (or thought) about you was just that…what they thought.
Just because someone thinks something does not make it true.
Philippians 4:8 tells us, “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.”
God’s word tells us that we must allow Him to master our mindset. The thoughts we entertain in our minds are not always the truths He wants there.
Are you struggling with desires or leaning on crutches that do not come from Him? Do your thoughts free you and fill you with peace as they align with God’s words and thoughts? Or do they leave you feeling discouraged and afraid?
2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
He wants to free us from all that shifts us from Him, or that binds us in ways that distract us, or keep us from living in His truths. Our minds are powerful. They can free or imprison us.
“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” Proverbs 28:26
Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:32 continues, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.”
If God doesn’t want unwholesome talk coming out of our mouths, He certainly does not want it residing in our minds. The Great I Am instructs us to build others up. Would He want us to tear ourselves down? Certainly not!
If we allow ourselves to be defeated, we are unable to serve others and lift them up. As we study the Bible, we recognize more and more the many ways God has prepared us with tools to defend attacks, even on ourselves!
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
As God instructs us throughout the Bible, we must set our minds (and our hearts) on things above – not the things of this earth. As our walk with Him matures, we are able to see more clearly why His words carry such wisdom. It all revolves around Jesus.
After He delivers us, we are no longer a slave to this world – or to ourselves.
Romans 7:25a “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Remember to look Up!
If what you believe about yourself, or tell yourself is not in alignment with what God says – or if you occasionally struggle with thoughts that leave you feeling less than what God has spoken for you, dive into His word.
Our thoughts are sneaky and untrustworthy. What we think about is not what God thinks. His value of us should be the guide we use to establish thoughts and mindset in our life. The best way to know Him, to reflect Him, and reside in His truths comes from an ongoing and growing relationship with Him.
Just as we grow our lives and connections with those we care about on earth, we MUST do even more with Him. We cannot know or show Him if we do not grow in Him. Intentionally.
Unleash His power in your life!
Your thoughts will change. Your mindset will change. Your life will change.