Get Your Mind Right!

     You might not believe it, but the Word of God is filled with encouraging words and principles in which we as humans can hold on to during times of dramatic stress and chaos.  Repeatedly, in one way or another, we are admonished to get our mind right and focus our attention on that which really matters.  Let me share with you a couple of scriptural examples:

He will keep you in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.

Isaiah 26:3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee...wherever thou goest.

Joshua 1:8-9

And my God shall supply all thy needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Philippians 4:8-9

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:32-33

     Now I know what you're probably thinking: "those are great scripture references; but that is not going to help me in my situation" or "how are words written on a page going to help in my situation?" or "I need more than just an encouraging word...I need [you fill in the blank].

     You know this time last year, I asked God those same questions, and maybe even more.  At that time, my life was in shambles and I was not generating enough income to sustain my livelihood.  For the first time in my adulthood, my bank account was severely suffering; in fact I was financially hemorrhaging   I had recently forfeited my home filled with priceless treasures and irreplaceable trinkets and was on the verge of loosing my source of transportation and all forms of income...I was devastated!  So what did I do?  I turned to God for help.
    Here's the story:  one summer day, I realized that I was in trouble and that the winds of confusion were clouding my mind, eyes, and heart so that I could not see or gaze my focus.  I was in a severe sandstorm; one in which I could not control. Knowing that I had a limited amount of cash reserves on hand (not to mention, I need the limited amount of gas to remain in the tank so that I could travel to my place of employment to generate income to provide for the huge deficit I was creating); I grabbed my Bible, purse, and car keys and drove down to a place where I knew I could meet with God...my Church.
    Since it was a weekday, the facility was empty and I had the whole place to myself.  Before entering the building, I pulled out a CD that contained a worship song one of my friends had recently recorded and I headed for the sanctuary.
    For the first 30 minutes or so, I walked the perimeter of the sanctuary, crying and screaming out for God to save me from my current situation.  And to my surprise, the voice of God was silent...I heard no comforting words, saw no angels, and received no miracle.  Frustrated with the lack of spiritual communication I had received, I continued to walk the around the room; when suddenly it occurred to me that I had yet to tell the Lord my issue.  I had just come in the building crying and screaming...no way to approach the King of the universe.

     As quickly as the previous thought had run through my mind, another one did the same.  I removed the CD from my purse and uploaded it into the player, selected my friends worship song and cranked the volume.  Then I placed my checkbook, debit/credit cards, and wallet on the altar, lifted my hands up to the LORD, and once again began to walk the perimeter of the room.  For the next hour or so, I worshiped and cried to the following chorus:

I'll just worship You

I'll just worship You

I'll just worship You

That's what these tears were made for

I'll just worship You

I'll just worship You

I'll just lift my hands

And worship...

     It wasn't long before I clearly heard the Voice of the Spirit speak directly in my most inner being (NOTE:  you know its God when what you hear can be backed up with scripture; for me, my confirmation came in the form of the scripture verses above).  Time stood still for the next few moments as I frantically took note of all that I heard in the midst of voicing my deepest concerns to the One who has the power to change my circumstances.  That afternoon, I returned to my place of residency knowing that I was loved for who I am and that nothing in this world could ever snatch me from the merciful hand of the living God. However, that hard lesson did not come without me doing that which I knew to do...getting my mind right  by altering my focus from that which is temporal to that which is eternal!

__________

I'll Just Worship You, from the ALIVE CD words and music written by Tony Sutherland (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/alive/id388016832?ign-mpt=uo%3D4)

For additional information regarding Tony Sutherland Ministries, logon to http://www.tonysutherland.com