Keep A Clear Mind

 

Life often brings distractions, difficulties, and emotional turmoil, especially with significant relationships. They can appear to start out on solid footing but some of them quickly devolve into confusion and disappointment. This can be overwhelming, but God calls upon us to respond differently. As 2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT) instructs: “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” No matter the circumstances, God desires us to stay spiritually alert, following the Spirit's guidance towards peace and truth. 

Jesus Christ declared in John 8:32 (NLT), “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The answers to our problems and issues lie in the truth of God's Word. While emotions may tell us something different or make us doubt the relevance of Scripture in our relationships, faith dictates that we seek God and His Word. The Scriptures remind us of His promises, and it also plants our feet firmly on a path that is pleasing to God and fulfilling for us. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” Our Heavenly Father desires what is best for us and never wants us to be sad, confused, lonely, or distressed. In times of hardship, He provides a way of escape. Psalm 34:19 (NLT) tells us, “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” However, we must recognize that God's rescue often includes guidance that corrects us and teaches us to behave righteously, so that we avoid falling into similar troubles repeatedly.

The life of the Apostle Paul is a powerful example of keeping a clear mind while dealing with overwhelming situations. If you take a closer look at his transformation, his relentless drive to share God's love is truly inspiring. Here’s a guy who once persecuted Christians without hesitation, but everything changed dramatically on his road to Damascus experience. He went from persecutor to preacher in just a few days. For many of us, this kind of major shift in our hearts and minds is exactly what's needed. 

We should recognize that what kept Paul going was his rock-solid faith. He was absolutely confident that God was with him in every situation, which gave him the strength and courage to face any challenge head-on. In your own life, you might be facing a job that you dread every morning, or dealing with family members or even your own children who make you feel like you've given all you can. Life can be incredibly messy and unpredictable, often throwing obstacles and hardships our way that might make us feel like giving up. However, Paul's unwavering faith shows us that, even in the midst of difficulties, we need to shift our focus back to God and His promises. By anchoring our thoughts on God's faithfulness and His assurances, we can lean on His strength to navigate through life's trials and keep moving forward, just as Paul did.

I encourage you to pray continuously and seek transformation in your thoughts and perspective by focusing on God and His promises. Do not allow depression or discouragement to define you; instead, pursue a renewed mind. As Romans 12:2 (NLT) instructs, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Embracing this renewal from the Lord will enable you to see beyond your current struggles with clarity and to approach life with a heart filled with encouragement and confidence in His goodness.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Keep A Clear Mind”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

 

When Life Happens

 

Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) tells us: “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful!  But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” This verse informs us that God is very much aware that discipline isn’t fun; it can be uncomfortable and even painful. However, the reality is that discipline is a necessary and unavoidable part of the Christian life. During the process, we might be tempted to have a pity party or believe that others have it better and that the grass is greener on the other side. Thinking this way might offer temporary relief, but it will not change the fact that discipline opens the door wide to growth in Christ. It’s crucial that we view it this way.  

God’s discipline might lead us to fall back into old habits and questions like, “What did I do to make God angry with me?” We might revert to attitudes that suggest God is punishing us, but this is not the truth. Regarding God’s unconditional love for us, 1 John 4:18 (NLT) says, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” God’s love drives out fear, and if we are still afraid, it is due to our worries about punishment. By loving and honoring our Heavenly Father, we can move beyond these fears and trust in His perfect love.

Although we might have witnessed or endured domestic violence and abuse from childhood well into adulthood, that is not a space we should call home. Domestic violence and abuse is not God’s discipline, make no mistake about that. Living in fear is never where God wants us to be. Instead, He wants us to live continually in His love, protection, and care. He doesn’t inflict pain on us. He is a loving Father who disciplines His kids because He cares about us and wants us to lead fulfilling lives. Psalm 103:8-12 (NLT) beautifully expresses this: “8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

1 John 1:5 (NLT) declares, “This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” God doesn’t cause our troubles and tribulations, but through them, He opens our eyes. We may have been walking around with blinders, unable to see the goodness of His faithfulness and promises, or to be guided along the path of our purpose in Christ. We must recognize that through our brokenness and pain, He illuminates the victory that faith in Him will ultimately win for us.

Life happens—we make mistakes, and sometimes things go terribly wrong. Facing these situations is never easy, but it’s often in these challenging moments that God’s light shines the brightest. They offer us a clearer view of the times where we didn’t trust Him as wholeheartedly as we should have. It’s important to understand that domestic violence, abuse, and fear are not signs of divine discipline; they’re just harsh realities that don’t reflect God’s love and Will for us. Our true home is with our Heavenly Father, and when life happens to throw obstacles our way, we can move through them by trusting His sovereignty, grace, and power.

In Isaiah 43:19 (NLT), He said, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Even in the toughest situations, God is at work, creating new paths and refreshing our dry places with His promise of restoration and hope. When we’re in the midst of life's struggles, it's easy to feel lost or abandoned. But this verse assures us that God is not only aware of our situation, but He is also creating new possibilities where we see none. Let’s trust Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls. He’s greater than any challenge we face, and if we stay close to Him, He’ll guide us through the wilderness into our eternal home of peace, love, and joy. So, hold firm to this promise, knowing that God’s transformative power is working even in our darkest moments to bring forth a future filled with His abundant grace and blessings. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“When Life Happens", written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

 

Living in Unfamiliar Territory

 

Fear and anxiety can be debilitating human experiences, and our Heavenly Father has given us the remedy in Isaiah 41:10 (NLT): “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” No matter the challenges we face, the presence of God provides a security and peace that surpass our understanding. However, there are many people going through really tough storms in their lives, and they don’t know that they can lean on God. A new friend, Elaine, was in this place not long ago and shared with me the hurtful situation she was dealing with.

Dreaming of having a family since she was a child, Elaine was ecstatic when she discovered she was pregnant with twins. They were her world, and their needs always came first. If you had asked her husband, he’d argue that he was a very distant fourth or fifth on her priority list. After 13 years of complaining about what he considered a loveless marriage, Elaine came home one day after work and saw a note on the bedroom nightstand. It read, “I’m done. You won’t have me around anymore, and maybe you’ll understand how I’ve felt the last 13 years.” She acknowledged that her husband was a good father and provider but admitted that they had stopped seeing each other as man and wife years ago.

Elaine is shocked at how devastating it’s been since he left. It’s rocked her to her core, she said. Her husband took care of everything, and she may have taken this for granted. She acknowledged that she’s never known what it means to totally lean on God as the Source of all blessings. She asked me, “How do I ask God for help?” I suggested she begin by praying openly, and share her fears, confusion, and hopes with Him. I told her that asking for help is about being honest and vulnerable with God. It starts with acknowledging her need for His support and guidance. I reminded her of Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

1 John 4:15 (NLT) tells us, “All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.” Our Heavenly Father is home for us. He’s our Creator, and when we accept the salvation He offers through Jesus Christ, we begin to live in Him. But, when we put children, spouses, family, and friends above God, we lose sight of the One who gave us these blessings. This is the equivalent of living in unfamiliar territory, one that’s outside the realm of God’s Will. Life can quickly become overwhelming when our priorities are out of order in this way.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 (NLT), “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” This means making God our top priority and trusting Him to take care of everything else. This focus on God helps us keep our lives in balance and ensures that we remain within His guiding presence and purpose.

Understanding that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and sovereign helps us see that He is unlike anyone or anything else; He’s in a class all by Himself and no one compares. Psalm 115:3 (NLT) says, “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.” Acknowledging the truth of His overwhelming brilliance, holiness, and perfection is the starting point for a deep relationship with Him. By keeping Him first in our lives, we align our hearts and minds with His plan, and everything else will fall into its rightful place.

Romans 8:28 (NLT) tells us: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” This is God’s promise to us, but it hinges on our faith in Him and our trust in His Word. Elaine experienced firsthand how quickly life can change when our priorities and focus drift from God's Will. Her situation shows how extremely important prayer and faith are, and how crucial it is to keep God at the head of our lives. When we fully get on board with His purpose, even when the storms are raging and we’re dealing with the most challenging thing we’ve ever encountered, we can find peace in God. We can rest in Him, trusting that He is working everything together for our good, because this is what He promises to do.■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Living in Unfamiliar Territory”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.