"FIX YOUR THOUGHTS"

I don’t love everything about myself.  I can easily become discouraged when I fail at something.   I don’t want to explore a new friendship because I might get hurt.  If I start something new I may not be able to finish strong.  If I write the book, it won’t be publishable.  If I try to eat healthy, I’ll end up crashing my diet.  Stepping out and trusting God to accomplish His purpose in me?  That’s risky business.  I’m just getting started.  These are only a few of the thoughts that may pass through my mind in a moment.  Hurt. Rejection.  Disappointment.  Failure.   Do these words find their way up to the surface of your thoughts?  They have made their bed in mine.    

My thoughts can be my worst enemy, holding me back from my dreams, desires and the simple pleasures of life.  They can hold me back from trying something new, building relationships, accomplishing dreams, fulfilling destiny.  They leave me stranded in my own self worth, measured by past experiences, hurtful words, disappointments, or failed attempts to follow my dreams.  

The truth is my thoughts are not true.  They are more like a broken compass, its needle spinning out of control, unwilling to lead me out of the stagnant swamp.  But when I look to Jesus, He will point me true north.  And His thoughts are not comparable to anything I have heard, even from those who love me the most.  We are His workmanship.  He made us in His image, breathed life into our inner beings, and said, “It was very good.”  

God’s word will not lead us astray.  When He asks us to do something for Him, it is never outside of our limitations.  You may feel unworthy, inadequate, unequipped, but He who handcrafted you, knows exactly what you have been created for.  God is not saying, “Let’s see what you are made of.” No -- He wants to show you what you are made of.   He created you with a purpose and has equipped you to fulfill it.  He is not giving you big dreams that you can’t obtain.  He breathed His greatness into you and His thoughts for you are beyond what you can think or imagine! 

All through the Bible, God asked ordinary people to do great things for Him.  They had inadequacies, and did not hesitate to remind God that they could not speak well, were too young, had a family to provide for, had done murderous things… the excuses for why God should not choose them could fill an empty page.  Yet they risked everything they had to follow God’s plan for their life and God was faithful to fulfill His promises in and through them.  

God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8).  God makes it clear in His word what we should fix our thoughts on:

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].   
    Philippians 4:8 Amp

When we meditate on truth, we will wash out the deception that has rooted in our thought life.  God’s word remains forever and His love never fails us.  

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” 

Psalm 100:5 ESV

Saying yes to God will require you to give your time, resources, and energy.  But your reward will be greater than what you sacrifice to follow the plan He has for your life.   

“If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land.” Isaiah 1:19 ESV

When you face discouragement or loneliness in the midst of your journey, fix our thoughts on God’s promises.  

“… You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” John 16:20 AMP

The truth is, my thoughts become void when I meditate on God’s word.  He maps out His destiny for my life and takes me on a journey that ends at a promise.  I don’t have to be afraid to leap out in faith when God gives me a task.  And when my compass alters, I can reset it to the magnetic field of God’s word.  We can trust Him to fulfill the dreams He’s ignited in our hearts, by equipping, providing, and assuring us of our worth.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4 NLT

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Not Forgotten

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at
Arlington National Cemetery

Hello dear friends! I am so excited about the Inspired Woman going to a blog format. I've not been a blogger before, so this is a new adventure for me. So glad you've joined us!

Recently I was able to spend some very special time with my husband in Washington, DC. This year in September we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary...woooohoooo! Not only have we made it, but every day, week, month and year has gotten better and better as we live out God's wonderful plans for our lives. Since we have 5 beautiful little blessings to care for, we decided to just pick the date that worked best and go celebrate. That happened to be Memorial Day weekend. Pat and I are both history buffs and had a great time visiting all of the memorials, museums and national landmarks we could fit into 3 days! On Memorial Day we decided we would visit Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Not having been to Arlington before, I was not prepared for what I was about to see. There was a special ceremony planned that day, and so we were shuttled up to the amphitheater on a tram. On the way, I was stunned by the thousands upon thousands of gravesites we were passing. I read the stones as quickly as I could as we rode through. I was amazed as I read names on stones placed as early as the mid-1800's for people of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds and ranks who died in service to our country.

When the ceremony was over, we were able to visit the Tomb and see the changing of the guards. It was incredible to watch. I believe the thing that struck me the most was the inscription. It reads, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." Due the unfortunate events of war, the body of the soldier lying in that tomb was never identified, yet the memory of his life of sacrifice lives on - he is not forgotten.

Sometime in the everyday routine of life, we may feel as though God has lost sight of where we are and the dreams in our hearts. It can be difficult to carry big things in your heart that haven't yet manifested. I remember many days of battles in my mind when the enemy would come and tempt me to give up on the plan of God and set my own course. There seemed to be easier paths to take that would bring a sense of instant satisfaction, but I knew on the inside nothing would ever satisfy me except for the perfect will of God!

Years later as I sit and write this blog, I can testify to being one of the happiest women alive! Today I am living the dreams God placed in my heart from my childhood. I can say with the songwriter, "Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come." This path has not always been easy, but is has brought me more blessings and fulfillment than I could have ever dreamed! The sacrifices God required of me were simply seeds sown that have now blossomed into a life filled with the supernatural power of God. I have watched God lead my family down paths that I could have never forged on my own, and work miracles that only He can get the glory for.

So my friend, today I want you to know this - God knows right where you are and He is doing everything He can to bring your destiny to pass. My counsel to you is to give Him what He needs to work with! Stay in faith, walk in love, pray, and whatever your assignment in this moment, give God your very best! Your faithfulness today is qualifying you for the days of glory that lie ahead. Some days the sacrifices you make may seem great, but they are working in your favor as they open the door for the supernatural to flow through your life. You have His Word that in this life He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Hold fast your profession of faith dear one - you are not forgotten!

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