Month: August 2022

Part 2 – Back to School – What are some ways we can please God? After all He is the only that counts. He does give us authorities over us to obey and obeying authority is something God tells us to do. Of course within reason. When authorities begin to abuse their position and begins to go against God’s word then we need to take caution when it comes to obeying authority. Again another discussion.

So how do we please God? I believe a lot of times we are looking for something specific. We seek God’s will for our lives. What does He want me to do specifically? While I do believe He a permissive will for us and a perfect will for us, I tend to think we can get too caught up in that. I know there have been times where I didn’t take a step or do anything because I was a afraid it would be the wrong thing. We make plans, but God directs our steps, Proverbs 16:9. If we have a pure heart about a decision, if it’s not where God wants us, He will direct us on the right path.

Our faith is what pleases God. Faith comes by the word of God. I thinks it’s so easy to get wrapped up in God’s plan. Living in fear of doing the wrong thing, worrying about the consequences. I think it was Charles Stanley who said, “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.” God will direct our steps, He’s got our backs if we are truly following Him.

Mike Donehey wrote a book, Finding My Life for God’s Will, he says that maybe God isn’t giving us specifics of the plans for us, because He is the plan. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life…!” Highly recommend this book! (and I’m not getting paid to say that)

So unlike the first days of school worrying about making a mistake and getting detention, I don’t have to worry with God. I just need to do what pleases Him in my daily walk. He has it all written out in His word. It’s my responsibility to follow the syllabus and obey the Teacher.

How often do you have worrisome thoughts where you can’t seem to think about anything else. The same thought keeps playing over and over in your head. It can be hard sometimes to shake our thoughts, we are after all human. But this isn’t healthy. This way of thinking can cause us some physical issues such as hypertension, upset stomach, heartburn, headaches, tight muscles all of which just adds to the stress level and makes us tired. This just impacts our day to day life making us forgetful.

But we do have a choice. We don’t have to have worrisome thoughts. Worry is a form of meditation and if we can worry about something, a situation, or whatever it is we can change our thinking by praying about the situation. Praying is a form of meditation. This all may sound a lot easier said than done. It takes time and practice but with God’s help we can change the way we think.

Taking the case to God is the first step. Lament. Tell God all about it. Your words don’t have to be pretty, no “art thous,” no thees,” you just need to let it all out. There’s no hiding how you feel, God sees your heart. So let it out, He can take it, He’s a big God! He wants to hear all about it. Maybe write it out in a journal then when there’s a breakthrough you can go back and see how far God has brought you.

While your journaling, if you are journaling, write out a verse you that comforts you. If you don’t journal, jot the verse down on 3×5 card or just a piece of paper and put it in your pocket. Pull it out and read it over and over when you find the thoughts creeping in. This is something that will keep you mindful of your thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 – “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Think about what you are thinking about. Try and catch yourself and when you realize you aren’t thinking healthy that’s when your thoughts can jump track and think about more praise worthy things. Satan is subtle. He can get us thinking about some really “innocent” things. He can use something someone says to you that just eats away at you. Be careful where your thoughts lead. Your thought could start out innocent. Satan can corrupt and innocent thought. I could be thinking about something, a project I want to do. Then I can start to think about how I will get it done, which sometimes can lead me to think, “how would so and so do this?” Then I begin to compare myself to so and so and think that they are so much more successful than I am and I have no business doing this project. Next thing I know I have a bitter heart. If I’m not careful and I can’t retrace my thoughts I will just keep going down that road of comparison. I need to catch myself when I compare and thank God for the things and the abilities He has given me and move forward with that confidence.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Self control takes practice, so does controlling your thoughts. It most likely isn’t going to happen overnight. When you find yourself in a cycle of worry and thinking not so healthy thoughts, ask God to give you the courage to stop and begin by thanking Him for one thing. Then thank Him for another and then another. Think about the times He has come through for you, think about how He has provided and think about how He has created the earth and the universe for us to enjoy. Make it a daily practice to “think on these things.”