What If?

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 (New American Standard Bible)

Anxious, disquieting, worrying, disturbing, alarming, unsettling, troubling, distressing thoughts. How easily they can multiply within us. How we long for freedom but find ourselves giving in to the mental mazes. It seems that for a while all is well and the battle becomes quiet. Then out of “no where” the thoughts begin to creep in and that familiar feeling of dread takes hold.

When it happened earlier this evening God asked me a question in my spirit that I have not been able to avoid, escape, or dismiss. The question was this, “What if you handled this differently than you are accustomed to handling it and you ruled your emotions and thoughts instead of allowing them to rule you?” In other words, what if I took the thoughts captive instead of letting them take me captive? Not only did the question take me by surprise but I found myself realizing I actually had a choice in the matter. I also realized the outcomes I am use to experiencing do not have to be the status quo from this point forward.

I know myself and I know the patterns I tend to follow. I can attest to the fact that the mind road I so easily travel does not work well or in my favor. God is letting me know it doesn’t have to continue to be like that. Instead, I can reject the urge to wallow in the muck and mire of my psyche. I do not have to yield to the temptation to get down, feel sorry for myself, house suspicions against people, allow my thoughts to run rampant, or allow them to lead me into a pit of any size or depth. My thoughts are only as predominant and powerful as I make them. At my choosing, they can be weakened and made ineffective. What I do not dwell on will not have a home in me!

So yes! What if I become more discerning about my thoughts? What if I stopped the cycle that has been played out far too many times? What if I acted and reacted differently? None of this comes naturally for me but God is assuring me it can become a way of life for me. The result would be freedom and joy….of that I am confident. It would also mean delight for my soul. And so I am asking myself, “What if I just did it?” He will help…I know He will.

I know too that even though the choice is mine, the ability and power comes from God. He is the One who says I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind but even that comes from Him, for He is working in me that which He is willing to do with me.

Father, keep showing me how to live victorious in You. Amen.

I Love You Lord - The Acappella Company
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6QE2k1FepQ&feature=related