Our thoughts affect both our emotions and our physical
health. We can make our self depressed and stressed by feeling guilty over the
past or worry about the future. We give our self ulcers, headaches and numerous
other physical maladies just by thinking negative thoughts. We are not alone in
this habit. Many Bible characters entertained negative thoughts that affected
their physical and spiritual welfare (Lamentations 3:1-11). Some,
like Cain, never recovered.
Other Biblical characters like Solomon give us an example
of what happens in a life when we focus on the positive aspects of God’s will
for our life (Lamentations 3:21-23). As we remember that God’s
mercies are new every morning, we live in hope and shrug off the shroud of
despair that the devil often drapes over us when we least expect it. We also
focus on God’s wonderful works on our behalf (Psalm 139:14). When we
see our circumstances with the eyes of the Spirit, we realize that God is using
them to shape us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Our knowledge of God is worth more than all the riches in
the world (Philippians 3:7-8). God’s Spirit changes us until
we reflect the glory of the Lord in deepening stages of maturity (2
Corinthians 3:18). We are dead, and our life is now hidden with Christ in
God (Colossians 3:3). As children of God, we place our trust in the
faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. We know without a doubt that He intervened
in our life more times than we even realize and definitely more often than we
can ever remember.
God molds us by the fruit of His Spirit. They are imbedded
into our new character. When people see a mature Christian, they see Jesus
instead of our old carnal, fleshly character. We follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness (1 Timothy 6:5-11). We
learn to live in contentment with the blessings of God on our life. We do not
even have to taste the second death, because our last breath on earth is
followed immediately by our next breath in Heaven (Revelation 20:6).
Prayer:
Father God, help us to refrain from daydreaming or thinking
of the worse case scenario and believing that we are lost because You abandoned
us. That is such a lie from the pit of hell. We are risen with Christ. Remind
us to seek the spiritual aspects of life, and to set our affections on heavenly
rewards rather than on earthly gains (Colossians 3:1-2). We look
forward to living in eternal glory forevermore, and to serving and reigning
with You in glory.
Thought for the Day:
When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we too shall
appear with him in glory. - Colossians 3:4