Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
What’s the most fun way to exercise?
I think the most fun way to exercise is swimming. It’s low-impact and something you can continue throughout life. And has many physical as well as mental benefits, like relieving stress and improving coordination, balance, and posture.
What book could you read over and over again?
I read the Holy Bible over and over again.
I did not grow up going to church every week. My parents did not have family Bible reading every evening. No adult was ever around to read the Bible on a regular basis. But my father did have a picture of Jesus on the wall. I remember asking him who it was, and then I would ask him to tell me about him.
I used go pray to Jesus as a child for him to save me, to give me a new mother -one that loved me.
I didn’t turn to Jesus and got saved until I was 41 years old. Then I began reading the Bible. I remember reading as thinking there was more of knowledge I didn’t know existed and how my life would have been different if I had only known these things in the Bible sooner.
Simply by living in the world, we accumulate a lot of stuff. If you consider an week of time, how may disparaging conversations you overhear? How many sarcastic remarks? How many tempting scenes we encounter on television, web searches etc… Frustrations, hurt feelings and many of the things that snatch our attention.
What surrounds us shapes us in many ways that are not always detected. Reading the Bible over and over gives me continual reminders of God’s meticulous works of Providence. It keeps me grounded. And allows the pure Word of God to saturate and purge my mind.
I used to think I was a mistake. I wasn’t supposed to be born. Not because my mother told me I was, but because of what I was going through. I used to sit in the closet and ask God why He was allowing these things to happen to me. After years of abuse, I started believing God hated me.
Anyone who understands the truth about God knows that God does not make mistakes. Not a one. Never.
But that is not to say that it does not appear to us that sometimes maybe He has. It is our perspective that is limited, while God’s in infinite. It took me years to understand this because I didn’t understand why a good God would abandon me. I didn’t understand that He was strengthening me from a very young age. For many years I refused to believe He existed. The walls I put up to protect myself were keeping Him out as well. The mistake was mine, due to my limited knowledge and wisdom.
In Job 42:1-3 Job was talking to God and He says,
“Job answered the Lord, I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be restrained. You asked, who is this who hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered that which I didn’t understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know.”
We learn in Isaiah 55:8-9 that “God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and our ways are not His ways.“
If you were to think that only people who are unbelievers, or perhaps with only very weak faith, would ever question God’s decisions, plans or deeds. you would be wrong.
I didn’t believe because I didn’t understand. Now that I understand and have seen God’s work in my own life was well as people around me. I am thankful that God allowed me to go through what I have. We are strengthened my our trials and tribulations.
If we look in Genesis at the example of faith in the Bible is Abraham. Even Abraham had questions in his mind about whether God was doing the right thing. He was a man of great faith, and didn’t foolishly charge God, or mock or rebel against Him. As I have done in the past. I thank God every day for forgiving me.
Abraham’s attitude was always, “When I hear God speak then I will respond.” He was quick to hear, not merely listen. That is exactly what our attitude ought to be as well. That’s what faith is all about. We need that kind of reverence for the Lord.
We don’t know all the facts or the end results and we do not have access to all the important information. Sometimes we are quick to judge God because what we are going through. But we have to choose to live by faith. We may not have all the facts but God does. We have to trust God and do what is right and wait for the victory.
I know that now and I am a stronger person today because God allowed, what I thought was His hate, was really love.
God doesn’t make mistakes
“God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Messiah Yeshua“ -Proverbs 4:19
There’s an old saying “God helps those who help themselves.” Many people believe this is written in the Bible it isn’t, In all actuality everyone of us have 5 needs.
The problem is we define our wants as needs. I need that dodge hell that’s sitting on the showroom floor that goes 203 miles per hour. Nah, I don’t need that, I would probably kill myself seeing how fast it would go.
We all worry about trials and tribulations that come along and fill our lives and we can lose our way. And we begin to doubt that God can help.
We all know life can be unkind. There are many people even in our own communities with hearts that are broken, shattered dreams and burdens that are so heavy that they believe there is no hope.
We must always remember that God is faithful. No matter how discouraged or disheartened we must embrace the truth of God’s faithfulness. If we focus on our problems instead of God’s faithfulness, we can easily be led down a dangerous road that leads to discouragment and unbelief.
It’s important to be able to distinguish between what we need, and what we desire and trust God’s faithfulness. If we think of children who want things they don’t need, it’s the wisdom of a parent that supplies the needs of a child.
People get into trouble when they want something so bad, that they will do anything to get it. They can ultimately harm their lives by insisting they get what they want.
Paul tells us in Philippians that God does not promise to supply all of our desires and wishes, but He promises that He will supply, and fulfill all our needs.
If we can’t complete God’s plan without something, then it’s a need, and He will answer when we pray for Him to fulfill that requirement.
If I pray for a big fancy boat for my pleasure, God will not likely give that to me. But if I pray for a boat so I can take children fishing and teach them about God, He will most likely give me the resources to get that boat, because of His will not ours.
If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?
If I could be a character in a movie it would be one if the women in “True Women.” a movie that spans from the Texas Revolution through the American Civil War.
It’s a story of love, friendship, survival and triumph. That tells the story of three different women and their ideals and personalities, but also their strengths and courage.
There’s a reason that crows are known as the “gangsters of the sky.” A group of crows is called a “murder” and their attacks are as cunning as they are overwhelming to their victims. When they set their sights on an eagle, the strongest bird of prey, the eagle is outnumbered. It’s only recourse is to fly to heights where the crows cannot follow.
There’s an analogy of crows attacking eagles:
Crows attack eagles mainly to steal their food. Hunting takes a lot of energy, so crows will often resort to stealing instead. Crows also attack eagles to protect their territories. They tend to get violent when other birds get close to their nests or hunting grounds.
Individually, crows are small, but together they are a powerful force. They synchronize against their prey and use their intelligence and speed. It is said that crows are as smart as a 7 to 10-year-old child, and they can reach up to 70 mph while gliding. While they lack the pure strength and size of an eagle they make up for it with their tactics. They dive-bomb eagles and peck at them and pull at their feathers, and sometimes land on their backs. Like hyenas on land, they don’t fight fair. They use their numbers to bring confusion to their victims who can’t focus on so many threats at once to defend themselves.
Crows also use a technique called “mobbing” in which as few as three or four of them will come at their victim by using their voices. They will caw and caw and intimidate their prey with their incessant cries. Not only that they will also play tag team. While some crows leave to feed and rest, other crows will come into the fight to continue the tactics, wearing down their victims who get no break from the torment.
So, what is a lonely eagle to do against so many crows? They fly higher. They turn their focus upward and head for the heights where the crows can or follow. An eagle can comfortably reach 10,000 feet while crows tap out at about 7,000 feet. Any higher than that the crows gets dizzy and faint because they cannot breathe.
Just like crows attack and steak food from eagles, Satan and his demons attack believers to intimidate us, hurt us and rob us of our rewards. Any time God is about to bless us, we can be sure that the imps of hell are close by, waiting to snatch it out or our grasp. The enemy will also come against us to protect a territory of darkness from the light we seek to bring into it.
There’s an old saying that goes “If you aren’t being attacked by the enemy, are you really a threat to the kingdom of darkness?” It’s meant to make us examine ourselves to make sure that we are striving to be faithful to God’s will instead if sliding into complacency.
As human beings, we are no match for the forces of evil. Satan’s kingdom has the benefit of thousands of years of practice against man. Our enemies (The prince of the air) outnumber us in every area of our lives. But we can learn his tactics just as the eagles have learned the crows. In the same way that the crows synchronized and tag team, our enemy satan does too, wearing us down with perseverance. His forces min us with loud voices of negativity, lies, and accusations. His attacks peck at our minds, pulling at us and coming at us at every angle. He assumes our finances, our bodies, and our relationships, bringing pressure from all sides. Of course all of this is dependent on God allowing it for His purposes. Or what we allow the enemy to take over.
God sends it to strengthen our faith, and teach us lessons, or correct our behavior. When we get worn down we tend to allow the enemy to come close because we are tired of fighting and don’t draw near to God. Good is in control of it all. And we have an instruction book on how to beat satan at our disposal – it’s called the Bible.
We should not stick around to listen to negative voices or focus on the attacks. When we do that, we can end up in confusion and get overwhelmed. If we spend too much time worrying our problems become magnified and our minds get to the point where they become idols and we turn to the throne of our hearts instead of the throne of God.
Instead like the eagle, we need to start looking at our circumstances and focus our attention upward. We must forget what satan is doing and remember what God has already done on our behalf. It’s all about what Jesus. He has won the victory. Satan is a defeated for, but we keep giving him the power to defeat us.
We need to go where satan and his followers can’t go -we need go go higher into the presence of God. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people.
We need to turn away from satan’s attacks and focus on the superior power and grace of the Lord in submission. When we submit to God the enemy will flee (James 4:7),
Change Your Position, Change Your Perspective.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber” – Psalm 122: 1-3.
Crows don’t fight fair and neither do demons. We will never win our spiritual battles trying to fight the enemy one-on-one from below. Instead like the eagles, we must focus our attention on getting higher. The closer we get to God, the less the enemy will be able to stand it. The air will get thin for him, and he will faint and drop off his attack. The more we meditate and contemplate the vast expanse of God’s love for us and His power over every aspect of our lives, Satan and his helpers will start to seem small and insignificant by comparison.
What animals make the best/worst pets?
What animals make the best pets? I have had cats, dogs. birds, a rat, and even hermit crabs. I think dogs are the best pets. Dogs are my favorite. They are very loyal companions. And love unconditionally.
All pets can decrease stress levels, improve heart health, and help deter loneliness.
I have a dog right now that is 15 years old. She has been a constant companion and can pick up on my migraine headaches before I can.
Taking you thoughts captive means choosing what you allow to take root in your mind. We can do this by asking for God’s guidance and turning from sinful sources or behaviors along with maintaining a continual practice of reading the Bible.
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “throw down imaginations and every high thing that us that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah” (Messianic).
Choosing to live by faith can feel daunting on this side of heaven, where spiritual forces abound and the enemy prowls around like a lion (1 Peter 5:8). Often, we need to pick up our weapons (Ephesians 6:10-18) and “demolish strongholds” as 2 Corinthians 10;4 instructs us. One of the most important ways to demolish strongholds and take every thought captive as Paul Instructs in 2 Corinthians. But how we do it and why is it vital in our walk with Jesus?
Yesterday my thoughts seemed to be all over the place. I’m sure it happens to all of us at some point. It’s a constant battle between flesh and spirit,
2 Corinthians offers a way out. And it is not simply to succumb to the reality of negative thoughts but to overcome them.
Paul explains that though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. But to fight lies and temptation by taking our thoughts captive. This is explained in 2 Corinthians 10:3). Paul tells believers to run every single thought by what we know to be true and ask themselves if it is “against the knowledge of God.
As a way of life, we can take our thoughts captive by choosing what we allow to take root in our minds.
Knowing His Word is how we discern if a thought is a pretense that is setting itself up against God. Taking your thoughts captive means speaking God’s authority over them, and believing what God desires for you.
God doesn’t desire us to condemn ourselves. He calls us to His mercy. If our thoughts are making us miserable, then it’s time to tell Satan to get away from us, to get out!
Our thoughts lead to our beliefs, which lead to our actions, which lead to the quality of our lives. Our thoughts have too great of an impact for us not to guard them and keep our minds on God’s will.
Christina Patterson
The context of 2 Corinthians in Paul’s Day was a city characterized by immoral pleasure seeming. It was a center of Greek culture and pagan ceremonies. Materialism and depravity persisted. (it seems like he was speaking to our situation today). Paul pleads for believers not to compromise themselves. He is calling them to be mentally clear and have spiritual humility.
Paul reminds us to place our faith in Jesus to boast in the Lord, not to commend in ourselves. He reminds us not to live by the standards of the world. (2 Corinthians 10:2).
Paul is exemplifying that in the midst of trials, believers shake off critics and cling to Jesus)# teachings.
If you’ve ever had your faith knocked off kilter by external or internal voices here are a few ways to take your thoughts captive.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us that “Seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses that we lay aside every weight and the sun which so easily tries to entangle us. And to run the race that is set before us.”
The Book of Hebrews confirms that the authority of Jesus supersedes all other voices, idols, or temptations. Paul is encouraging us, to persevere.
It’s saying that even when we are down and out we are still surrounded by a cloud of witnesses to God’s majesty that will make the enemy their footstool.
When Satan is Messing with your mind, it helps to activate your body. Get up, change your surroundings, go for a walk or a run. Cleanse whatever is clogging up your thoughts with the oxygen of God’s creation .
We are whole beings, and when our minds threaten to paralyze our bodies, it might be time to get fresh air.
If your thoughts start imprisoning you in doubt, fear, or worry, it can feel like a tidal wave or a brick walk is forming. Sometimes the motion of a pen on paper or talking to God about it can actually release the hold your thoughts have over you and cast them into the hands of God.
One thing I’ve learned through trial, and error is that God is not afraid of our sinful thoughts. Or our tendency to idolize, We belong to Him, He knew us in the womb of our mothers. Psalm 139:15-16 says. “When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s won’t, when I was growing in secret, you knew that I was there -you saw me…” We don’t have to keep them pinned up, away from Him. Write it out, scream it out, or cry it out. And then ask God what He would have you believe instead.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
A great way to take every thought captive us by creating what I call “truth cards” that keep the voice of God in the top of your mind. When I was changing my thoughts and perspective on life, I used to get index cards and write on them from the Word of God. Then put them all over, my bedroom, my bathroom, my refrigerator, So they were in easy access to read when my negative thoughts would take me over. Therefore, emptying my negative thoughts and capturing them as a lie. Then replace that lie with a truth from Scripture I wrote down.
Over time you will learn to say these truths out loud when that negative thought tries to sneak it’s way into your mind.
This is how we can demolish our negative thoughts at every pretension, and make our thoughts “obedient to God.”
Praying continually doesn’t mean we spend every waking hour praying. But to keep God at the forefront of our minds. I find listening to message songs or teachings keeps my mind on Him throughout the day. When I leave the house I pray for God to protect me. When I find a close parking space to where I’m going, I thank God. It may seem funny to some but it helps me focus my mind on God and not the chaos that’s going on around me. Which helps me pray to God continually,
You are not alone in the battle with your thoughts. Praying and talking to God allows Him to give you guidance. While you are replacing lies with spiritual truths.
Prayer doesn’t have to be planned or perfect, that’s just another lie to take you captive. Prayer is offering your thoughts to God and asking Him to shape them.
Our thoughts often trick us into a corner where we are afraid, hiding, or hurting, when we take our thoughts captive and line them up with obedience with God. Our negative thoughts are reduced immensely. I’m not saying they will stop. It’s something that requires our constant attention.
What job would you do for free?
If I could do a job for free it would be a veterinarian assistant assisting the veterinarian with care of the animals. Or I would like to help people with learning coping skills to have a better quality of life. Something in the psychology profession, such as holding a mental health support group.
Because of my experiences in life I have compassion for people who have been hurt. I am kind, caring, and forgiving when others might not be. I know how it feels to be abused emotionally and physically and no one should have to go through those experiences.
At church, we had our pastor’s son teach us. He is very intelligent and is a clinical director of a large company. He talked about how we are enough for God, He made us because He loved us and wanted us to love Him in return.
“Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres“ – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV).
God doesn’t need our performance – He wants our heart.
A friend told me the other day that I was highly anointed by God. I didn’t believe it.
Me? Highly anointed? My life is so crazy all the time, I can’t sleep most nights. I have a hard time concentrating because of it. Why would a perfect God love someone like me?
Because God is love.
1: Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us a clear snapshot of our God. Maybe you’ve heard this scripture at weddings. But when you think of God this way it changes the game.
Because Jesus lived and loved perfectly, God loves His people without conditions or a checklist to satisfy. He is not keeping score or holding a grudge. His love is perfect, and it’s free. The price has already been paid in full by Jesus on the cross and we don’t have to perform perfectly to earn it.
This is a perfect love from a perfect God given as a gift to imperfect people. We just have to receive the gift.
We are all enough. Satan likes to tell us we are not. but because of God’s love we are. It’s hard for us to believe this because the version of love we see every day is conditional. Conditional love is based off of numbers in our bank accounts, -swipe left or swipe right, if you done measure up, you’re not worthy. If you don’t get the grades or the job, you’re not enough.
When we know we are enough for God, it means we’re free -free from our fears, our obsession with performance, even our unrealistic expectations.
We might fall short to an earthly point but we don’t fall short when it comes to God because He offers forgiveness. God doesn’t need a performance. He wants us to surrender our hearts to Him. We don’t have to earn anything from God.
I like how Jesus 2 Corinthians 12:9 says. “But He said to me my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more glad,y about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
We are unconditionally loved by God.
We are redeemed by His sacrifice.
We are highly favored when we walk with Him.
We are enough for God.
What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?
I don’t watch any kind of sport. And I don’t watch the Olympics. The only kind of sport I like is baseball. And I don’t watch it on television.
Watching sports for some people gives them an adrenaline and dopamine boost. It doesn’t do that for me. Research tells us, that people want to be part of a group and bring them a belonging and group identity.
I don’t need a sense of belonging. I know where my identity lies. I already know who I am.
Discouragement is a temptation, common to man. In dealing with it sometimes we need tenderness and other times we need toughness. Either way, discouragement is not to be tolerated or allowed in. It is to be fought.
If we linger in discouragement it can be costly. It’s a sense of defeat and hopelessness that saps us with energy and vision. It can consume a lot of time. It can keep us from doing what we need to do because we don’t want to face it. And it can be contagious, weakening others’ faith.
When we feel discouraged we want comfort, which is right to feel. But comfort often turns to our ways to avoid our fears rather than ways to muster our courage to face and overcome them. When this happens discouragement simply becomes sinful indulgence in lust or anger or other sins of unbelief,
Jesus does not want us to be discouraged. In fact. He commands us not to be. Listen to what Jesus says to His disciples just before what was probably that most discouraging experience of their lives -His brutal death. “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me” (John 14:1).
Jesus’s words “Let not” for His disciples were not merely comforting, they are commands. He knew they would be tempted by fear. Things were going to look very bad like their whole mission was imploding. What were they to do instead of being afraid? Believe! “Believe in God; believe also in me.”
In other words, “Don’t let your hearts be ruled by what you see. Let them be ruled by what I promise you.” And that’s what He’s saying to you and me,
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose” -Romans 8:28
Then it time to fight, not pout or shrink. Think of discouragement as your faith being choked. When you’re choking, it’s not time to plop down in front of the Television with a plate of comfort food to medicate your melancholy. You need to dislodge the obstruction so you can breathe. You need to fight for your life. You may need to get someone to give you the Heimlich.
Go get encouragement -faith-fueled courage. Don’t let discouragement choke you, it’s dislodged by believing promises. God gave us the Bible so that “through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
Don’t let your heart be ruled by what you see. Let it be ruled by what Jesus promises you.
From Pity to Praise