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)

The Path Less Traveled

The past two weeks were rough for me. I was daily at odds with my toddler. It deeply pained me and caused me much regret by the end of every day.

I had frequent outbursts regardless of his behaviors or actions. I felt overwhelmed and burnt out. Which only caused more meltdowns as a response from him. I began to fear that I was doing damage to my child long term. Insert shame.

After getting into prayer, I was reminded of an interview I listened to on a radio program recently. The premise was that some parents may have to grieve over their children leaving a certain stage of life. For me, I realized I had to grieve that my little boy is no longer “my baby”. I used to be his primary source of comfort, food, and care. He’s more independent now. He doesn’t need me like he once did. And, I felt like I no longer had control.

There it was; the root. Control. I could no longer control him. Every time I tried, he opposed me all the more.

I had some wise elders suggest the reason I was this way. Since I was a victim of abuse previously, I became controlling as if to guard my heart from ever getting hurt in the future. The mindset that I had to be in control put others in a path of hurt that I now created. Essentially, trying to be in control caused me to act out of control!

In addition, I was taking on “God’s role”. I was not fully trusting my eternal, all-powerful God. He sees the future (Isaiah 46:9-10). He can handle all things (Isaiah 14:24). He strengthens the weak (Isaiah 40:29). I was not created to do these roles for Him. Wow. Talk about humbling a heart.

I felt I had to get alone time with God. So, I decided to go for a walk. Walking toward the dead end part of a road, I journeyed on a dirt path.

Eventually, I came to a fork in the road. I had a choice. I could journey on the dirt path that was visibly traveled. Or, I could journey on a path into the woods- a path less traveled. I chose the latter.

This physical representation was a spiritual decision I was making in my heart as well. I wanted to choose the path less traveled. The one that says I choose God’s will above my own.

I was reminded that the fruit of the Spirit is self-control (causing temperance). This was already a gift given to me when I accepted the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Except, I had been choosing to receive a replica gift; packaged by my adversary. The so-called gift of being in control (causing a bad temper).

As I continued on the path less traveled, tears were flowing from my eyes. I asked God for forgiveness of everything I had caused through my foolish acceptance of control. I asked Him to remove the added weight of regret, fear, shame, and pride. Finally, I asked God to remove the root of it all to prevent it from reoccurring again.

With my head hung low, I caught a glimpse of some water trickling downhill beside my feet. In that moment, God refreshed my mind with the 23rd Psalm. We communicated together what it means to me presently.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

God is leading me, tending to me, and providing for me daily. I will not lack anything, in any given day or time.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

God beckons me to stop what I am doing to rest in Him; in His pleasant, sprouting, dwelling place.

He leads me beside the still waters.

Yet again, He guides me directly to Him. He is my source of living water. He quenches all of my thirsts. Here I receive more rest.

He restores my soul;

Because of Him my soul is renewed, refreshed, rescued, revived, rewarded, recovered.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

In; not on. “In” is indicative that there are walls. I am surrounded. His righteousness is all around me. I can only live rightly through Him.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

The choices I make that lead to sin are from hell itself. But I do not have to fear it. Jesus conquered sin and death. I accepted Him and believe in Him. He IS with me. I am overcoming because of Jesus.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

God’s compassionate correction and discipline is to bring me to repentance. That is where I find comfort.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

God has given an abundance of provisions and prepared them for me in the midst of my enemies- regret, shame, fear, pride.

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

All of my being- the outer, physical manifestation of this body and the inner vessel- are satiated. God makes me abundantly full and beyond satisfaction.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;

My additional promise. Not just one day. Not just on the days that I choose right or act right. But, ALL the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Whether I abide in Him on this Earth or in the heavens, I am promised to be with Him for eternity!

You see, God gives me everything I need for every circumstance. There is strength to be found in my moments of weakness. Especially when I act out of control. Now, I am encouraged all the more to entrust all my cares and concerns to the God who is my Good Shepherd.

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“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.”- 1 Corinthians 10:13‭-‬14 (MSG)

 

Divine Appointment

Recently, I celebrated another birthday. 31 years to be exact. My husband asked me what I wanted as a gift, but I hadn’t thought much about it. I mean, we just had a baby less than two months ago. My mind has been focused on nourishing and care taking. My birthday was the least of my priorities!

However, his persistence caused me to ponder. I recognized that I wasn’t in need of anything. I joked, “I really could use a good massage”. Then I realized, maybe I wasn’t joking at all! I really wanted a good massage, as I had been experiencing some tightness and pain in my right shoulder.

It eventually dawned on me that a friend from my church is certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork. So, I called her up to schedule an appointment. Little did I realize that my session would be more than just a physical intervention. Instead, it was a divine appointment-meant to spiritually intervene and heal my soul.

Upon beginning, I apologized to her for sweating so badly. She replied by saying that I need not apologize as my body is a temple of the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:19). I’ve heard that scripture numerous times in my life. However, it never resonated more to me than it did in that moment. I meditated upon those words. In combination with the therapeutic massage and her welcomed prayers, the Holy Spirit had given me some revelations about my temple.

I saw three versions of myself in different rooms of my body’s temple. These rooms each represented relationships:

The first version walked through the threshold of a room titled, ‘Unforgiveness’. The walls were enveloped with ‘taking offenses’ and ‘holding grudges’. I had specifically taken offense to a friend who spoke an ugly lie about me. I instantly held a grudge against her. Anytime I heard her name I cringed inside. And as a result, I had a hard time forgiving her.

The second version walked through the threshold of a room titled, ‘Anger’. The walls were concealed with ‘spiteful thoughts’ and ‘sharp words’. I was reminded of a loved one that I’ve known throughout her lifetime. Over the years, situations developed that made my anger intensify more toward her. Every time I talked about her with someone else, I generated spiteful thoughts and spewed sharp words.

The third version walked through the threshold of a room titled, ‘Control’. The walls were masked with ‘perfectionism’ and ‘high expectations’. I discovered how I deprived a loved one of his control because I always tried to control all matters. I agonized over perfectionism and high expectations in an attempt to magnify myself and be in control.

Once I entered these rooms, the doors were locked behind me from the outside. And, I was holding its keys inside. I could see myself screaming, begging to be let out. So, I began to pray within, “God I surrender all of my strongholds to you”. Those “rooms” were indeed my strongholds; “anything on which one relies”. I relied on the unforgiveness, anger and control, instead of relying on God. I clenched the keys that belong to the rooms of my temple, instead of handing over the keys to the Holy Spirit.

With the help of my friend’s therapeutic massage, and her prayers joined with mine in spirit, I felt healing from within and peace. I left that day feeling changed. I knew I had made a choice to be obedient to the Word of God.

I am called to forgive. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts..- Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)

I am called to throw off anger. 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. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received.. Then the God of peace will be with you.- Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)

I am called to give up control. 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.- Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Upon surrendering, I acknowledged that I wholeheartedly rely on God. I handed over the keys of my temple to the Holy Spirit. Thus, I received His promised peace.

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“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”- Romans 8:5‭-‬6 (NIV)

A Time to Rest

Time. It goes by so quickly. Minutes turn into hours. Hours turn into another day come and gone. Each day I can be overcome with a hectically busy routine. I know I’m not alone. Cleaning, cooking, taking care of a child, errands, grocery shopping- the lists could go on forever.

Amongst the busy of my days, it seems there is just no time to rest. I must intentionally schedule “rest”. But that does not come without sacrificing another portion of my busy day. This requires, though, that I wake up extra early before my son, utilize his nap time, or wait until after he goes to sleep at night.

I often joke with my husband about this exact situation. He chooses to stay up an hour after our son goes to sleep in order to retrieve his rest. I’ve always said, “I’ll get my rest with my eyes shut”!

But as I pause to reflect upon our joking, I have to admit… He’s actually [almost] right! gasp! I do need to set aside time to rest. And not just the sleeping kind of rest. Not the kind of “rest” that has my eyeballs glued to the TV or my phone. Not the kind of “rest” that has me pampering myself while being surrounded by everyone else’s problems.

Im talking about a soul rest. A time to rest at the feet of my Heavenly Father. A time to be in prayer without asking for something in return. A time to study, meditate, and reflect upon the Word. A time to just sit and listen to God’s voice.

I am reminded about how Jesus often took a time to rest. He spent much time traveling, teaching, healing, performing miracles, etc. Amongst the busy of His days, it could have been that there was just no time to rest. He had a lot of work that needed done for the sake of saving souls.

But Jesus. He still found a time to rest. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.- Mark 6:30‭-‬32 (NIV)

And the need for rest is not just stressed here. Another account where Jesus commends a woman for her rest is found in Luke 10:38-42..

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha felt there was no time to rest. She allowed the busy of her day to consume her. But, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. In this context, “sat” is to place near, to sit down beside. And, “listen” is to give ear to teaching or to a teacher, to comprehend or to understand.

This is the key in what it means for me to enter in a time to rest. I must choose to sit down beside the Word of God, to give ear to His teaching, and to comprehend and understand Him. This is where my soul will truly find rest.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”- Matthew 11:28‭-‬29 (NIV)

New Year, Renewed Me!

When I think of ringing in the new year, my first thoughts focus on the phrase “New Year, New Me!”. This lead me to ponder, ‘What it is that I would like to be new with me?’.

Outwardly speaking, a new hair style and color. Getting fit with a structured exercise regime. Eating healthier and wiser while cutting out an excess amount of harmful foods. However, while these things are beneficial or ideal for society, I’m actually more concerned about what’s going on inside of me.

Lately, I’ve felt that it would be much better for me to start over. For instance, those things I’ve said and done that I wish I never did or could take back. A blank slate would feel appropriate- a new me.

But as is seen in times past, I can make proclamations to be different from who I once was and not see a lasting change. These so-called, “resolutions” have good intentions that soon fade away.

I decided a new year isn’t all about what I can do to be “new“. A new year is essentially a spin off of my old self. It’s a continuation of who I already am. With that said, a new year is a grandeur opportunity for me to be “renewed“. You see, it’s not about changing who I am. It’s about challenging myself to be who I want to become.

This revelation is not my own. God showed me that I should find joy in who I am, because He created me. When I accepted Christ as my Savior, He made me new then.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

My new life in Christ has already begun. Each day is a continuation of that new life He began in me. I am lovingly reminded to look to Him to continue His renewing in me. A complete transformation, or a renovation, if you will.

..Though our bodies are dying, our spirits [inner man] are being renewed every day.- 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)

Isn’t it just like God to equip us for every single, little (or big) thing we could ever need?! Here’s His promise to the inner man:

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 (NIV) 

Heart- Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ..grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.- Psalm 51:10, 12 (NIV)

Strength- but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.- Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

This person that I want to become is the image of God- truly righteous and holy. The challenge, then, is to follow His truths- day in and day out. I am already given the tools I need to be renewed. I just have to trust in His promises.

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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)