Ever had a pending appointment you didn’t want to keep? A person you didn’t want to encounter? A task you didn’t want to complete?
Some days are filled with unpleasantries. And if I’m not careful, it’s an easy slide down into a gloomy funk.
How does that happen?
My thoughts provide the slippery slope…
What a lousy day this is going to be. I sure hope So-and-So is in a good mood for that meeting this afternoon. Last time he was as irritable as Oscar the Grouch. And while I’m looking forward to that (Ha-Ha!), look at this impossible to-do list. Talk about crazy. And then there’s our double-date tonight with that new couple from church. I am in no mood to be sociable. All I want to do is go home, put on my sweats, and park on the couch!
Can you identify my problem here? I’m focusing on the negative. The solution is obvious: turn my thoughts to the positive.
But some days that is next to impossible. It’s as if the problems and challenges are shouting giants, jumping up and down, with arms waving no less. They block any view of the positive.
Making the effort to think about praiseworthy things works for a while, but those negative thoughts often return, unbidden and oh, so unwanted. To make matters worse, I feel guilty for allowing those giants access to my mind and spirit.
Why can’t I get rid of them once and for all?
Maybe I’m not supposed to. Maybe God wants me to become more watchful, to learn perseverance, and to practice proactive behaviors, like gratitude and praise.
But one strategy for fighting the giants is particularly important: Get out my sword.
I’m talking about the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
Scripture is full of wisdom and encouragement for doing battle, like Psalm 73.
Asaph writes about his challenge: arrogant and wicked people (v. 3) who scoff and speak malice (v. 8).
“What is going on here?” he writes. “Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store. The wicked get by with everything; they have it made…When I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache” (vs. 11-14, The Message).
Sounds like the giants of negativity had been pestering Asaph, too.
But at the end of the psalm, Asaph affirms what he knows about God and his ways:
“You [God] hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
And afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart
And my portion forever.”
(Psalm 73:23-26)
I need to meditate on Asaph’s affirmations and make them my own:
- My loving Heavenly Father holds me by the hand, offering protection and security.
- He guides me with wisdom, especially through his Word, infusing me with comfort and strength.
- God gives me perspective for my earthly troubles as I look forward to blissful eternity with him.
- He is all I need.
Thank you, Asaph. I’m going to memorize those verses so they’re ready to draw like a sword—on a moment’s notice!
(photo credit: www.ideas.tome.com.)
From the Inside Out 
I can’t believe this post came at this time, when I was dreading a visit from someone I was not happy about seeing. I kept saying to myself “don’t reflect on that day, it is not here yet.” So, I am asking God to change my thoughts and guide me to His will. Nancy, you always come up with posts that trigger a thought that is happening at that time. Thank you so much,
You are welcome, Laura. Praise God for his timing! May your visit with this person be delightful as He guides your thoughts, conversations, and activities. I’m looking forward to hearing about an amazing new chapter in this relationship!
My thoughts provide the slippery slope…what a great line. God has been working on me lately with my thoughts – I am learning I give them too much power. heard at retreat last week – Invite your hindrances to tea. I like that idea and once I recognized them, how they are a part of me but not the boss of me, the power left them. Thanks Nancy for a thought provoking post.
So delighted and grateful to God that the post was meaningful to you, Jean Thank YOU for the wisdom of considering hindrances a part of us, but not the boss of us. Definitely fighting words!
First of all, I’m going to have to get a copy of ‘The Message’. What stands out to me in this post is ‘perspective’. You are so right….earthly troubles put into their proper perspective (as temporal en route to our Heavenly Home) either fade away through prayer or are vanquished as I take up the Sword of God. I love that WORD is in SWORD.
Well, DUH! I never noticed that “word” was hiding in “sword!” What a delightful discovery! Thank you, Cheri!