New Growth: Overcoming Damaging & Dead Thoughts

My husband and I planted a weeping cherry tree approximately 3 years ago. Around this time of the year, new leaves begin to bud. This is typically when we notice branches that are not producing, and we know they have died off. We have had to prune these branches every year since planting. Which makes our tree appear as if no growth has taken place.

We’ve learned the benefit of cutting these dead branches immediately. As the tree itself puts energy into keeping the dead branches alive, as well as putting energy into the good branches. Once the dead branches have been removed, the tree can now focus on its overall health of the healthy limbs- not the sick ones too.

I pondered how long I’ve spent a considerable amount of time on my own unhealthy and healthy thoughts. Many days I feel I’m doing well. But then thoughts can overwhelm me within mere moments. Thoughts of doubts, insecurities, anxieties and fears, anger and offenses to name a few. And when I view my thoughts in light of our weeping cherry tree, they are but dead branches I’m trying to keep alive. It’s definitely sickening when revealed in this manner.

It’s not like I, or any other person for that matter, want to think of holding onto something dead or putting all energy into unhealthy thoughts. But it’s no wonder it’s a struggle to try to keep my good thoughts alive and well.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

“Heart” and “inner spirit” here also means spirit or soul (otherwise known as mind, will, and emotions). This isn’t an invitation for both unhealthy and healthy thoughts to dwell. Consider it one or the other. If not careful to remove the unhealthy thoughts from the depths of my soul, then a slow fade of death can choke out all other healthy thoughts. For death (sin) and life cannot coexist.

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:6-11 (NLT)

With this in mind, it is no wonder warning is presented to cut off dead branches immediately. I, myself, no longer want to waste anymore energy on these dead thoughts. The thoughts that are originated by the enemy to steal, kill and destroy. I want every ounce of energy, Christ has already gifted to me, to be poured into healthy thoughts and an overall healthy being. After all, I’m already promised that Jesus’ purpose is to give a rich and satisfying life in Him (John 10:10).

So this poses the question, “How can I overcome those damaging, dead thoughts?”. By simply yielding to the Lord. Once those thoughts creep in, I am encouraged to “take captive every rebellious thought and teach them to obey Christ Jesus” (2 Corinthians 2:10:5). And in surrendering every single thing to Him, I can trust that He will prune away that which doesn’t bring me life.

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. ..Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

John 15:1-2, 4 (NLT)

New healthy leaves (thoughts and livelihood) are sure to bud the more I yield to Him. Rather than have my life appear to be a bigger more fuller tree with dead branches in it, I would much rather allow my life to be pruned and allow my energy to be spent on new growth.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God- truly righteous and holy.

Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)

Learning from Seasons: Praising in Pause or Prosperity

Honestly, the last thing I want to give is another opinion about the pandemic going on in this world today. Personally, I’ve felt confused causing waves of anxiety to come at me. I’ve felt at a loss for words, and quite frankly, for any understanding regarding the current situation.

As I scrolled through social media this morning, I noticed consistent patterns in people’s posts. Well, at least the posts I could see. Good, bad or indifferent, it all revolved around the coronavirus (Covid-19).

When I looked at the calendar, I noticed today marks the first day of spring. But, there were no social media posts to reflect that. The darkness and uncertainty of what’s happening in the world around me tries to swallow up any bit of light and newfound hope. But, I felt this tug upon my heart to shift my perspective towards what is represented by patterns in seasons.

You see in the winter season, there seems to be a pause, or a stillness. The leaves die off of trees and flowers are not in bloom. Some animals hibernate or move South. There’s a dryness and chill in the air. What is visibly seen are ordinary colors in nature and much is not pleasing to the eye.

However, the winter season is not void of life. One, of many things, that is truly worthy of praise. The trees themselves are very much alive and there are cold-resistant plants that thrive. There’s a different, colorful species of birds that emerge, and other natural life flourishes during the winter months. Life in bloom may be at a standstill, but hope is not lost.

I’m moved within my spirit from anxiety to peace concerning the world’s current circumstances. Sure there’s been a shift in what society describes as “normalcy”. We are all left in a darkness with uncertainty about what the future holds. Life in bloom maybe at a standstill, but hope is not lost. I am reminded that both light and hope are found in the Lord. And these trying times cause me to shift my gaze towards the emergence of new life.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.- 1 Peter 1:3‭-‬6 NLT [emphasis mine]

From the perspective of which seasons were created, we can look at the pattern associated  with this first day of spring. It brings with it the hope of life in bloom- prosperity. Much more reason to praise! In fact, scripture adequately describes this “Hope for Restoration” in Isaiah 35.

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! … There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.- Isaiah 35:1‭-‬6‭, ‬10 NLT [emphasis mine]

Whether in a season of pause, as in the stillness of winter, or a season of prosperity, as in the hope of spring, one thing remains. To praise our Lord Jesus. For He is peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). For He is light in the darkness (John 8:12). For He is the source of hope (Psalm 71:5). For He is eternal life (1 John 5:11-12).

---

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11‭, ‬14 NKJV

Baggage

When I think back on my teenage years and young adult life, I recall a great deal of baggage. I had undergone multiple forms of abuse, starting at a young age. Over time, different life events added to the previous collection of hurts. Being bullied in school brought about low self-worth. Caving into peer pressures landed me into an alcohol-filled lifestyle that robbed me of precious memories, and even friends. Yearning to fit in lead me to commit acts of sexual impurity of my mind and body. Becoming a victim of anxiety overruled every decision in my life.

Having close friends or family offered a helping hand to carry my baggage. Sharing my troubles most definitely felt like some weight had been lifted. But, when I hung up the phone with that friend or when that relative walked out of my door, the baggage was left behind. And, I certainly picked it back up again.

I’ve only ever been on a plane for a single trip in my life. Upon arriving to the airport, I had to ‘check-in’ my baggage. There were restrictions in regards to size and weight for my baggage in order to be carried in cargo. Therefore, anything that surpassed this restriction was now my fee. Of course as a first-timer, I had no concept of “packing light”. So, the extra weight of my baggage was my responsibility.

As I recollect the weight of my internal baggage of troubles, I am made aware of its heaviness. And, with each new hardship came even more heaviness. I truly thought the added weight made me a stronger person. If I could handle what was thrown at me already, I could surely handle anything else that came my way! On the contrary, I was undeniably weak. I spent much of my public time in anger and my private time in tears.

I lived a dual life- which invokes much disapproval (Revelation 3:16-17). I spent many years avoiding church, but proclaiming to be godly. However, yet another confrontation with adversity brought me back to my roots with Christ. I prayed; hard. I began to search for Him. I accepted Him back in my life. And ultimately, I learned that HE wanted my baggage. [Seriously!]

 

My friend, Jesus, offered me a helping hand with my baggage- and never asked me to “pack lightly”. “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down… But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins…“- Isaiah 53:4-5 (NLT).

And unlike my earthly friends and family, He never gave it back. “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God…”- 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT).

He took the weight as His sole responsibility, and even paid the fee! “…He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”- 1 John 2:1-2 (NLT)

And, when I feel weak from new baggage, I will hand it over to Jesus and gain steadfast strength!  “…I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me... For when I am weak, then I am strong.”- 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT). 

I praise, Jesus, for His sacrifice! I pray, you friends, will grab hold of these truths! And, I thank, Jesus, for [our] freedom-paid by his ransom!

---

“And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”- Romans 8:2-3 (NLT)