mesa
devotional

FIXING OUR THOUGHTS

With Tara Hansen
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 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. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” - Philippians 4:5-8 NLT

You might be thinking, how can Paul tell me to be considerate? He doesn’t know what this person has done to me! Or, how can he tell me not to worry? He has no clue what’s going on in my life!  You might also be thinking, “Tara, I do pray! I tell God what I need but I don’t experience peace!”

Then how CAN we experience peace?

How can we find contentment and joy in today’s life?

I think our answer is simple...where does our HOPE and TRUST reside? When we are fully surrendered to Jesus and believe that He is bigger than any problem we can face we can experience peace. Our Heavenly Father is loving and merciful. All he wants is our SURRENDERED heart. Do we trust Him?
When we place our trust in Him he will pave our way.
No worries needed on our part! He has everything handled!
There’s not a single worry in our mind that will change the course of his plan!

So, where does our mind take us? Are we thinking on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise? Our thoughts direct our words and actions. My dad used to tell me all the time growing up, “ Garbage in, garbage out!” What are we feeding ourselves? Let’s make a commitment to feed the good, feed the God relationship! Let’s fill our minds and thoughts on things above, not to be consumed by this world. When we fill ourselves with positive thoughts something magical happens, new brain pathways form! Being considerate, positive or joyful may not come naturally!
It takes hard work and practice! That’s why Paul tells us to
THINK ON THESE THINGS!

Life is a journey.  Being a Christ -follower is a journey.  Motherhood is a journey.

Let’s commit to making the most of it, together! Let’s encourage one another, consider one another and love one another! Let’s do this, TOGETHER!

Questions For You & Each Other

1. What are some practical ways you can get rid of the "garbage" that is coming in?
2. In what areas of your life do you need God's transforming peace?
3. What things do you need to surrender today?

Pray

Lord Jesus, we come humbly before you today. Knowing that you are our Father, we ask that you would help us to fix our thoughts on you!
Check our spirits when we become too wrapped up in the worries of this life. We know that you are in control of all things!
Thank you for your ever present help in our time of need. We place our COMPLETE trust in YOU today and every day! Amen.