I’m very grateful right now to be able to say with confidence that God hears me and is working all things out for my good. And yours!

I asked God a few questions today…

I used to say “Lord, I’m confused.” But, this is not correct! “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”‭‭ (1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:33‬)‬‬. Since I know that He is the Creator and I am His daughter, I cannot be confused. Besides, He always replies with “you are NOT confused, you just have questions.” One of my questions had to do with a journal entry from a few years ago.  I realized that I was still praying about the same thing. In fact a lot of my journals have this particular prayer in them. It has always been a place of frustration for me. Why am I still here in this place? Not a physical place, but one in my mind. “Lord, why can’t I get this under control?”  Then, I was led to a teaching on mindsets.  

Mindsets are automatic.  One way to look at it is like driving a car. Before learning to drive, we had to study the laws and read the drivers manual everyday!  Then even after passing the tests, we were very careful and probably slow when driving at first, until one day it became automatic. As experienced drivers, we hardly think about what to do when we get into a car. We can look in many directions and make movements with our hands, arms, and feet. We can have a conversation, listen to music, and unfortunately, even text and look at maps all while driving at 70 miles an hour at times, which is VERY dangerous and unlawful! My dad used to tell my sons, “Remember boys, this car is a weapon.” So true!

The mindsets we have can actually drive our lives! For example, climbers have mindsets. They fill their minds with information that will help them succeed, like how to eat healthy, stay consistent, and get motivated to keep going and keep climbing. 

An athlete can’t just train for success every once in a while. He must wake up early, put his sneakers on and go! Everyday! His discipline must become an automatic mindset.

 “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7)

“And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.‘” (Matthew ‭22:37‬)

See how it must all begin in your mind? Back to my question/prayer. So, in short, I found myself doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same results. God is interested in every area of our lives and He can do all things. However, we won’t learn a thing or overcome any struggle if we don’t take the necessary steps that will change our mindset. 

One scripture that God has been using to train my mindset is this one.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

It has been helping me through many days when I would have normally reverted back to a state of sadness where I would feel “irrelevant” and blah blah blah. The devil loved dragging me into despair (a mindset that is a complete lie!). And because the feelings and emotions were so real and overwhelming, I would fall into it over and over again!

If we don’t quickly fight back against negative mindsets by obeying God’s instructions, we will slip into them. I’m finding out that the answer is to immediately obey with His weapon. I say weapon because His Word is sharper than any two edged sword and it cuts and discerns between spirit and soul (Heb. 4:12). As soon as I pray this scripture, I sense the heaviness lifted!

Our soul is the seat of our emotions.

God hears our questions, our cries, and our frustrations. He knows exactly what’s going on. And because he knows best, He directs us in the way we should go. But here is the thing, we must make the choice. It begins with a change of mindset. He won’t go against our will, ever! 

The encouraging thought is this: No matter how many times we hit a wall in a particular area of our lives, God is right there to help us climb it. When I look back now, I can see how many different struggles He has helped me through. I know that He will help me and you overcome as many times as we cry out to Him.  

We have such an amazing, caring, and wise loving Father! Jesus is a treasure to be trusted, and the only way you will be able to find this treasure is if/when you fully trust Him. Please take a moment and listen to this song. It is the cry of my heart as it is of many others I’m sure. https://youtu.be/KcFKZlxX2Gw

Lord, I pray you help us to reach Your purpose for our lives. Help us to keep our minds focused on You. In Jesus name, Amen. 

You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains focused on you, because he remains in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)