Good morning, friends.
I read something recently that really hit home with me and I am sharing it with you this morning in the hopes that it will grip your heart the way it did mine. Simple and yet so profound. Here it is:
6 letters that can change your life: D E C I D E!
Isn’t that so true? I see it in the physical realm every day. Perhaps you, like me, need to lose a few pounds. Maybe you need to start eating healthy and exercising. It starts in your mind. It starts with those 6 letters- DECIDE! But it is even true in the spiritual realm. Every spiritual battle we face begins in our minds. It is there that the battle is won or lost. It is there that we make decisions that will direct the course of our lives. The Bible speaks much about this issue.Romans 12: 2- “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Colossians 3:2- “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
2 Corinthians 10:5- “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
When I made the decision to take the summer off from writing to focus on my own relationship with the Lord, part of that process included some visits to a wonderful Christian counselor who helped me sort through some issues I was struggling with. Relationship issues, grief and an over-crowded schedule had left me feeling depressed and confused. The first thing he told me I had to do was slow down my thoughts. He said my mind was just going way too fast and I had to slow it down to avoid a crash. He gave some very practical suggestions for doing that-writing Scripture, taking a walk, singing, to name a few. But it stuck me that the first place he started to get me back on track was my mind! If we need to make changes in our lives, the starting point is to make conscious decisions to change! Our aim should always be to develop Godly habits that result in Godly living. And that starts with that 6 letter word: DECIDE! Decide to make the adjustments that need to be made in order to see real change in our lives.
Sarah Young has some great thoughts on this subject in her book Jesus Always. She writes:
“I [Jesus] can smooth out all the tangled-up places, including those in your mind and heart. So come to Me just as you are, with all your knotty problems and loose ends… Christianity is all about transformation-a lifelong process. Keep turning toward Me, seeking My face and My will. Wait on Me, trusting in My timing for unscrambling things and making your way clear.”
My counselor was able to boil my issues down to two key factors: I want to control things and I don’t always trust God as I should. He was absolutely right in that assessment! So, those are two areas I am working on, asking God to help me let go and trust Him. That involves daily (sometimes minute by minute) decisions. I must DECIDE to let go and trust! I read this prayer in a devotional in Our Daily Bread that expresses this so well:
“God, help me surrender my desperate attempts at control and let go of the burdens I wasn’t meant to bear to find rest in Your grace and goodness.” (Monica Brands)
So, the question for you is, what area or areas of your life do you need to DECIDE to let go of control and trust in the Lord? I heard a song recently that I think will be my theme song for the rest of my life. It is called I’m Gonna Let It Go, by Jason Gray. Take a listen to it today and then sing along with me,
Oh I’m gonna let it, I’m gonna let it go
Oh ’cause if I trusted, I could move with Your flow
Being carried in the current of Your love
When I lean into Your arms, You’re enough
So, I’m gonna let it, I’m gonna let it go
Letting go of my worries
And my need to control things
I’m gonna take You at Your word
I’m gonna lay down all my burdens
DECIDE to let go of all your worries today and take the Lord at His Word! He’s got you and He will never let you go!
