DO NOT LET THE SWINE RUIN YOUR MIND

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

In order to stop the cycle of hurt, frustration and lack of love we have to renew our minds from thinking about the hurt of the past and believing in God's word and His promises. There is a scripture that says you have not because you ask not and in addition to asking you need to have the right motives. We can renew our minds by creating new thought patterns; daily devotions, playing gospel music and simply asking God for help. Let's talk about this because as simple as this seems some things I often forget to ask God for direction especially when it may look easy or clear.

I would like to point out some areas that I had to renew my mind:

1. Not believing in God: honestly because over so many years I saw so many people that were Christians living in defeat; subconsciously I couldn't fathom that the God that they were serving had the time or resources to help me. God proved to me that He loves me and He will take care of me ( He will never leave me or forsake me).

2. Frustration, anxiety and worrying: is a sign that you are not depending on God. I thought God wanted me to be super independent; it probably came from society, songs (Independent Woman), there are so many subliminal messages elluding to us being independent and self-sufficient. In actuality God wants us to be inter-dependent; we are able to do things for ourselves, depend on others as well as depending on Him. When I gave my life to God I thought it would be a piece of cake not taking on any stress and letting God lead but when God has given you instructions then someone came and said something that has contridicted what the Lord said; it may sometime shake your faith. It may hinder you from being able to depend on God and follow what He has said. Additionally, if we look at the example of Moses follow the Lord that was not a easy task think about God sent him to a Red Sea wouldn't you think at that point you got the instructions incorrect, there was somewhere you must've failed. Just thinking about getting to a 'Dead End' I would be nervous and maybe even frustrated, my confidence in obeying God may have lost a few points. Last year I experienced a situation where I got an instruction and let me tell you when I got to the wall; to the point where I did not understand what would happen next I ran the other way. What do I mean I made so many mistakes at that point because I thought about being a crowd pleaser, adding more to what was said than what was actually said. I created my own notion of what God meant 1. I sinned ( Ilied, was sexually immoral and disobeyed instructions). But the good thing about God is that He loves us and forgives us but when we mess up we throw off the GPS and God has to somehow realign us to either His good, pleasing or perfect will.

3. I am a child of the King: believing that my dad owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He owns everything. That there is nothing that is off limits from me when I am in partnership with God. That I did not need to continue walking in fear; fear of the unknown, fear of people (what they may think of me), fear of not being able to pay bills, fear of not having (a home, clothes or cars). Fear is crippling and paralyzing.

These are all tricks the enemy uses to keep our minds bound and keep us trapped. Last year I read a book by Joyce Meyer called Minds, Mouth, Moods and Attitudes I read this book at least 4 times not because I loved the book so much and it was a really good book. But during that time there was a cycle I wanted to break that was starting in my mind one that was making me irritated quickly, I started thinking bad about people, getting frustrated easily and I kept doubting people that were in partnership with me. I knew it was my mind, they did nothing to contribute to my negative thoughts. I increased my time in prayer, singing praises and reading the word of God. Do not be deceived by the enemy that because you've read the bible or prayed that you will not be tempted and tested. If we look at a fair example Jesus went into the wilderness for prayer and fasting but was taken...the enemy was able to physically move Jesus from one place to the other. But Jesus was able to speak the word against the every test.

When we renew our mind with the things of God, when we know the word of God and apply it to our daily living we can contest the things the enemy throws our way. Connect with me tomorrow as we talk about intimacy.