Allow me to share with you four ways to discard your life of spiritual negativity. While these four ways might now work for everyone, they will work for someone. One of these ways might be the start to the process you need to live a joyful life for the Father.
Just Stop
This is hard, yet for many, it is easy. When you realize your thoughts and words, you become a better person. Consider Paul’s words in Philippians 4.8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
We know our thoughts come out in our speech (Matthew 15.11, 18). Let us be sure our thoughts are right, so our speech will be right. For many, just stop being negative.
Stop Living in the Past
While we know the words of Paul in Philippians 3.12-15, many will choose to focus on a past life instead of pressing forward. Remember, God has plans for us, just as He did Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29.11) The past is behind us for a reason; let us move forward in the righteousness of God. (1 John 4.4)
Talk with God
Have you talked with God (prayed) about being a more positive, joyful person? Paul writes a list of attributes of a Christian in Romans 12. Consider Romans 12.12 where Paul says, “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer…” It would be worth noting that joy and prayer are attributes of a Christian.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
This is probably the one most people need. We need surrounded by those of like-mind and like-faith. We need people in our life to encourage us. (See Hebrews 3.13)
Just some thoughts,
Every now and then, I believe it does the mind good to step out of our comfort zones and think. We can think about many things, but today, I want to challenge you with a few questions regarding spiritual matters. Consider these questions to be about encouragement and action.
These are intended to be thought about for a little while. I call them, “Questions to Ponder.” The word “ponder” is defined as, “think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.”
I would ask that you ponder these questions, then decide to act.
- Who have you encouraged this week from your spiritual family?
- When is the last time you read your Bible for 15 minutes?
- How have you grown in your spiritual life this week?
- Where will you be on Sunday morning?
- Who was not here on Sunday that you sent a message too?
- Are your friends encouraging you to be a better Christian?
- Are you a Christian?
- Is there someone you need say, “Thank you” to, because of their spiritual support?
- What are your plans to grow spiritually in October?
- What are your plans on December 12, 2021?
Sometimes, the right question, at the right time, can make us think outside of our normal routine. Consider what we can do today to make a better life in the future. What are your answers to those questions?
Just a thought,
An ancient story is told of a little boy, a shipwreck and a rock:
During a furious storm at sea, a ship capsized and broke into pieces. The only survivor was a little boy who was swept by the waves onto a rock. He sat there all night long until, the next morning, he was spotted and rescued.
“Did you tremble while you were on the rock during the night?” someone later asked him.
“Yes,” said the boy. “I trembled all night—but the rock didn’t.”
At least 18 times in the book of Psalms, God is called a “Rock.” Each time, the psalmist is referring to God as his boulder, large rock, a place of refuge, or a fortress. The Hebrew words, “tsoor” and “sehlah,” bring the meanings of a stronghold of protection, but also an immovable strength.
Just as the boy in the story, are you holding onto your Rock? Is God your refuge? Your fortress? Your protection?
The Psalmist says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalms 18:2)
Do you feel the same?
The world is a hard place to live. Sin is prevalent and we can allow the current events of the world to cause us to lose focus on our Heavenly home. One of the keys to staying faithful in a troubled world is to hold fast to our Rock.
What are you holding onto?
Just a thought,
Every week people ask us to pray for them and their situations. Whether it is on a Sunday, a Wednesday, or just a normal day throughout the week, people want us to pray for them. People know prayer works. They have seen it with their eyes, and they know the power of prayer mentioned in the scriptures,
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)
While we pray for others, do we also pray for ourselves?
When others ask us to pray for them, we take time to petition God on their behalf. However, do you take time and pray for yourself?
Let us not forget we need to pray for ourselves. Even Jesus, in John 17, prayed for Himself, that He might glorify the Father. Jesus needed strength, and especially in his final hours.
You and I also need the strength of God in our lives. Praying for others is a good trait of a Christian life, but we must not forget that we need the strength and wisdom God provides. (Psalm 34.4; James 1.5)
Charles Spurgeon was once quoted as saying, “I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him.”
We must pray for others, but we must pray for ourselves, our strength, and our faith so we may be able to continue. Remember the words of Paul,
“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Just some thoughts,
There are many thoughts which can be shared, but the book of Proverbs shares many timeless wisdoms, which finds the application beyond a graduation.
Solomon speaks from his experiences regarding life, decisions, marriage, knowledge, riches, poverty, and humbleness.
Consider Solomon’s inspired words in Proverbs 4.23-27 and how they will be a guiding light to the feet of those willing to investigate the sacred text. Each verse is a treasure of knowledge to guide your steps.
I would encourage you to take these verses to heart and use them each day as you walk in your new season of life.
- “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
- “Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.” (Proverbs 4:24)
- “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” (Proverbs 4:25)
- “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” (Proverbs 4:26)
- “Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:27)
I would encourage each graduate, and each Christian, to take these verses to heart and use them each day as you walk in your new season of life.
Allow your life to flow from the lessons you have and will learn in the Scriptures. Let them be a light to your path and a lamp to your feet.
Just some thoughts,
