Your Daily Crossroad
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May '19
When Negative Thoughts Are Running Your Life
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May '19
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
I knew they were there, but I tried to ignore them and deny their existence.
They controlled how I felt in the morning, and when I went to sleep. They would often cause my emotions to feel out of control, making me feel out of control, too. They would dictate how I reacted to situations or conversations. They often caused me to feel offended, angry or hurt, whether it was truly justified or not. They never ceased to remind me of my shortcomings and flaws, making me feel inferior and often without value, and they constantly tried to pull me down with discouragement or hopelessness, stealing my peace and joy.
Who are “they,” you ask?
You see, life had been unusually hard for many months due to a painful situation in my marriage, and as a result, my negative thoughts were running my life.
I didn’t want to feel sad, but my thoughts stayed consumed with all the things that made me sad. I didn’t want to feel unhappy, but my thoughts constantly drifted toward focusing on my unhappy circumstances. I didn’t want to feel discouraged or fearful, but my heart was heavy, and my negative thoughts were weighing down not only my emotions, but my outlook on life. In fact, my thoughts often made me feel as if I were sinking mentally, emotionally — and at times, even spiritually.
Our key verse today give us wise advice on dealing with thoughts: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). This passage was written by King Solomon for the benefit of his own sons.
As I read this chapter, I noticed although Solomon was king, he didn’t focus on advising about royal matters like how to handle money, job responsibilities or best tips for leading the kingdom. Instead, he spoke of more important things such as the value of controlling their thoughts, which determine how they felt and how they lived.
Solomon teaches us to be careful how we think, because the quality of our thoughts will always determine the quality of our life.
Whatever our minds focus on is what will play out in our lives and eventually shape who we are. Our thoughts turn into feelings that have the power to control our lives, gradually steering us and possibly our faith, in a direction we do not want to go. King Solomon knew this to be true, and counsels us to be careful about what we think and feel. He knew it’s often our thoughts, not our circumstances, which cause us to sink.
Our thoughts have power and can easily begin to run our lives, controlling our words and actions, feelings and emotions — even our peace and happiness. When disappointment crushes our dreams, when people hurt or anger us, or when problems seem overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught in the rip-current of negative thoughts. And when we think negative thoughts, we feel negative feelings, leading to believing life is negative overall.
During this season of life when I realized my thoughts were running my life, I bowed my head and admitted to Jesus how I had allowed emotionally-fueled thoughts to sink my joy, my hope and my faith. I embraced His truths that just because my circumstances weren’t positive, didn’t mean I couldn’t be.
When I intentionally change my thoughts, my life changes as well. And so can yours.
Lord, at times I feel as if I’m sinking — in my attitude and thought patterns, even in my faith. Forgive me for letting negativity have power over how I feel, think and live. Fill me with a fresh breath of optimism today, and help me learn to transform my thoughts, heart and life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This devotion blessed me and I pray it blesses you just as much. I love what it said, when we intentionally change our thoughts, our life changes as well. May this be our hearts desire each and every day. Here are five keys I found to help your day overflow with Godly positivity. 1. Embrace an attitude of gratitude, 2. Spend quiet time with God, 3. Read your bible, 4. Focus on your blessings instead of your worries, 5. Wear a smile on your face. I refuse to allow negativity to have power over my life anymore. I am blessed.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Thessalonians 4:17
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May '19
Perfect Peace
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May '19
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)
I remember asking Billy Graham a number of years ago about what he experienced when he gave the invitation for people to come to Christ at a crusade. He said, “When I am preaching and giving the invitation, I feel like power is draining out of me.” I understand that, because it is a spiritual battle that rages on. When we are serving the Lord, it can be draining in many ways. It can even be draining spiritually.
Jesus, who was fully God, also was fully man. That means He was human just like you and me. He felt pain. He felt sorrow. He felt hunger. And He could feel weary from a hard day’s work. In Matthew 8, we read that Jesus, tired after a day of ministry, was sleeping soundly. He and the disciples were on a very primitive wooden boat, being tossed back and forth like a cork in the ocean.
How do you sleep in a storm like that? You can sleep in a storm when you’re confident in the will of God. In other words, you know you’re doing what you should be doing. Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Sometimes the worries and pressures of life keep us awake at night. When this happens to me, I’ll pray about it and say, “Lord, I can’t worry about this for a while, so I’m going to let You worry about it. I’m going to get some shut-eye.” I’m being humorous, of course, because I know God isn’t going to worry about it. But I’m entrusting the matter to Him. That is what we need to do when we’re tired and overwhelmed by worry. We need to cry out to God.
When I read this devotion I was reminded of this prayer and I want to share it with you today. I pray it blesses you and encourages you to cry out to God. Trust in Him.
Lord, I come before you ready to pour out my worries, anxieties and fears at Your feet. I am claiming and declaring Your promises for blessings of peace and strength over my life. Bring a peace into my soul that passes all worldly understanding and make me a light for others to see Your strength. Amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 56:4
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May '19
God’s Timing and Your Blessing
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May '19
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:22)
God’s timing will never diminish your blessing. It is like the sunrise or the seasons. You can’t hurry it; you can’t stop it; and you shouldn’t doubt it. This is true about your life as well. Maybe you want to get married or are concerned about some financial matter. No matter your need, trust God’s timing. God’s timing will never diminish your blessing.
God’s timing is not our own. God tells us in Isaiah that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. God’s ways are higher and grander than our own. So trust God today with the timing in your life.
Lord, I thank You that You will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing. Reveal what is in my heart, and make me ready to handle the answer in the right way when it comes. Help me to pray by faith consistently and long-term, to believe, wait, and then move forward in Your timing. Help me to be patient in prayer, not give up, and trust You even during moments when I feel negative emotions. I don’t want to live by feelings but by faith. Help me not to take matters in my own hands. I choose to trust you, and I refuse to believe the lies of the enemy. I choose to be faithful in prayer (Colossians 4:2). Deepen my understanding, and give me a greater knowledge of what You are doing in my life. I choose to hold unswervingly to the hope that I profess (Hebrews 10:23). Stretch my faith in the midst of the wait, just as You did with Your disciples when encountering a storm at sea (Matthew 8:23-27). I thank You that You have all wisdom and will answer my prayers in Your perfect time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 103:17-18
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May '19
Count Your Blessings
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May '19
For in the time of trouble . . . will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. (Psalm 27:5-6)
Christians are not altogether immune from depression. The fact is: the trend of events and the mounting tide of evil are enough to give one sobering thoughts—Christian or not. David, the sweet singer of Israel, was not always on top of his depression. Sometimes his glad song was turned to a depressive mourning. “My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?” (Psalm 42:3,5) I find that the cure for depression is praise. In other words: be so busy counting your blessings, that thoughts of gloom and despair will be crowded out.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for the Psalms which help me see that even in the depths David talked with You. Whatever my circumstances, I will learn to praise You. Amen.
I was blessed by this short but powerful devotion. I pray it encourages you to look around you and start counting your blessings.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 12:15