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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Proverbs 4:23 HCSB
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, 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.
Philippians 4: 6-8 NIV
I have discovered the things I spend the most time thinking about have a direct impact on my emotions and actions. I believe this is why Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 to dwell on the things that are true, right, pure, lovely and admirable. The more we think about these things the better we feel and the better we act.
I used to be a worrier. I've had to fight it all my life. If I am deeply troubled about something, it's hard to not think about it. The more I think about it, the worse I feel. I worry about it. I get anxious about it. I analyze it. I dwell on it so much I become consumed. Peace becomes elusive.
Why does this time of thinking come so naturally for many of us? Why do we let our minds carry us away into the darkness by thinking about negative and painful things in our life?
God wants us to have peace. He wants us to experience peace in Him which transcends all understanding. It's easy to have peace in the midst of joyful situations. Thinking about happy things tends to make us happy. The harder thing is to experience peace when there is doubt, pain, confusion. Dwelling on these things tend to cloud our thinking.
I believe this is why Paul encourages us to go to God with everything. If we turn to God with our problems and think about Him, dwell on His word, His grace, His mercy – the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable, we will find the peace which transcends all understanding.
I have come to realize how important it is for us to do as it says in Proverbs 4:23 – to guard our heart because it is the source of life. If we spend time thinking about how hard life is, how difficult things are for us, how much pain we are going through – these things seem bigger and harder and more difficult. Satan just loves it when we take our eyes of Jesus and focus on our selves and our problems. If we give him and inch, he'll take a mile.
If we guard our hearts by turning our thoughts to Jesus the things of this world will grow strangely dim in light of Him and His love. We can then experience the abundant life God promises and peace will no longer elude our minds.
It is my prayer today for each of you reading this… you will turn your heart and your mind to Jesus. Allow Him to fill you with only the peace He can give. Regardless of your situation or circumstance, let Him be your comforter, let Him be your guide. He loves you so much and wants nothing more than to bless you. Trust Him. He is faithful. Amen!
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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