WE DETERMINE OUR LIFESTYLE

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds: Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ”
(2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).

I believe we determine our lifestyle. It always comes back to the way we think. I remember one time during the days of raising our children feeling very overwhelmed. I felt I had too much to do. I didn’t know how I could keep going. Poor me. I was in a real state of self-pity.

I woke up in the morning and began my daily Bible reading. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8: “We would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia that we were pressed out of measure, above strength . . .” Wow, that was just how I felt. It was more than my strength could cope with. And Paul felt like this too? He went on to say: “insomuch that we despaired even of life.” Well, I certainly hadn’t got to that point.

But Paul continued writing: “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us . . . And doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver.”

I was immediately convicted. Paul was facing death and yet trusted in God’s deliverance. I was only facing my self-pity thoughts and yet was in a state of despair. Immediately, I realized that I was relying on my own resources, on my own strength, and had forgotten about trusting God.

I turned my face up to the Lord, and prayed, “I am so sorry, Lord. I confess I have been trusting in my own strength. I give my problems to You. I trust You. You are my Strength. You are my Rock. You are my Savior and Deliverer. I thank You for the victory in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

Immediately my load was lightened. In fact I’ll never forget thinking later that afternoon, “What was I in such a stew about?” And I truly couldn’t even remember what my problems were and why I had been in such a state! It was all in my mind. Not even reality!

Ladies, we are our own worst enemy. Sadly, as women we have a tendency to fall into self-pity. And that is such a horrible way to live. It takes you down the road of  discouragement and despondency. It makes life miserable for everyone around you—your husband and your children.

I soon learned to get out of that habit. I will not tolerate it for a minute. I now live my life, not by my feelings but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). I live by the truths of God’s word. I don’t listen to my feelings. They are deceiving. They come and go, and they are not the true reality. The true reality of life is what God says.

When something is devastating or challenging, instead of dwelling upon it, I look to the Lord: “Dear Father, I give this problem to You. I thank You that You are bigger than this problem. I trust You to work it out in Your wonderful way. I thank You that You are my joy, my Strength, and my Rest even in this trial. Amen.”

No wonder the older women are mandated to teach the young women to be sober. Yes, that is the first thing they are to teach, to “teach the young women to be sober . . .” (Titus 2:4). The Greek word is sophronizo and means “to restore to one’s senses, a settled state of mind, to be in control of your thoughts.” It comes from the root word sophron meaning “a sound mind, self-controlled” which is translated “discreet” in verse 5. The Bible uses this word twice in this passage because He knows we as women need it!

We must not allow our minds to get out on a tangent. Eve Paul confesses that he had to fight the enemy’s lies in his mind. He says in Romans 7:22, 23: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

We must do warfare against all deceptions of the mind and bring every thought into captivity to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5). I know this is not always easy to do but the more you take hold of your wayward and deceiving thoughts and squash them in the name of Jesus, the more it becomes the habit of your life. It will become your lifestyle. And you will live in joy and victory.

And guess what, you will be happy. Your husband will be happy and everyone around you will be happier.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“I thank You, dear Father, that You dwell in me, and You give me all power against the enemy to resist all his lies of deception and gloom and self-pity. I thank You that through Your life dwelling in my that I can walk in victory. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

Stayed upon Jehovah

Hearts are fully blessed

Finding as He promised

Perfect peace and rest.

~ Frances R. Havergal