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)

No Longer Caught In Between: Finding Freedom

Yesterday was Good Friday. And it is a holiday which represents the remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. Although for me, I do not only reflect upon that event just one day of the year. I’m constantly reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice that took place on that day.

Like most anyone, I have experienced circumstances in my past that caused hurts I have long held onto (unforgiveness). I have committed acts of disobedience which caused me to sin against myself or others. Even now, I have daily struggled in the fight against believing lies within my mind (strongholds).

So, there I remained. Caught in between.

I have lingered upon the wrongs done and the sacrifice Jesus gave in order that my wrongs could be made right. And yet I have felt stuck. Not just yesterday on Good Friday. But, in the totality of all my yesterdays.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.- Ephesians 2:1-3

That is, until today. The day in between the observation of Jesus’ sacrifice and the hope offered in Jesus’ resurrection, as celebrated tomorrow on Easter day.

That’s when it happened. The realization that Jesus is already resurrected struck my spirit. I mean, I already knew it to be true. But, here in between the remembrance of it all, I realized I had indefinitely stayed stuck focusing on Jesus’ death. Every time I have committed a wrong I thought to myself, “Jesus died for you to be made right.” And so, I have lingered upon death. I beat myself up in my mind over and over again. Stuck. Sinning again and again. Caught in between.

Today I was reminded of Jesus’ words on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). All my transgressions from yesterday, today, and in any of my tomorrows. Finished. Death, where is your sting? Because the fact is- even on this Saturday in between these observances- Jesus is alive! (Revelation 1:18). He has already resurrected– which means rising again or raised to life again– and has ascended into glory.

Let me say it once more for emphasis; JESUS IS ALIVE! That means since I have handed over myself and my transgressions to Him, nailing those wrongs to the cross, drowning them in the blood He poured out for me (and for you), and dying of myself- I am raised to life again, too! No, I am not stuck. No, I am not caught in between.

because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.- Ephesians 2:4-7

I never had to be caught in between. But, it was in that place I was deceived by the enemy. It has been, and always will be, his mission to twist the words of the Lord. He seeks to keep God’s creation stuck in this sin-soaked world. However, the pivotal revelation that brought me from dwelling upon death to reveling in resurrection is found in true freedom.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 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.- Romans 8:1-2

God has raised me to life again! And, praise be to God, it is true for you too! Resurrection has already taken place. It is found in believing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is living inside of you! (Romans 8:11).

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The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord…- 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (NIV)

Choosing to Love: An Eye-Opening Revelation

I sat down to complete an online training course. Since I am certified in speech-language pathology, I am required to complete trainings as part of certificate maintenance. Little did I realize that this time-consuming obligation would be an eye-opening revelation.

The training was focused on shaping negative thinking toward students with disabilities. How I, as an SLP, could help students as a whole. This training began with a warm-up in hopes to show the trained professional how they, too, may perceive others with negative views.

What followed were a series of eight photos. Every two would compare someone vs someone else. We were, then, advised to write our feelings about the individuals shown. Whether those feelings were positive, negative, or neutral.

I was appalled by the negative thoughts I assumed about some of these individuals. Although it’s true that culture, society, religious beliefs, and the like have influenced some of these viewpoints. However, what alarmed me the most was realizing these people have their own voice, motives, and experiences that have made them to be who they are. Who am I to judge just by how they look in a photo?

 

God reminded me of His truth which solidified this conviction;

..The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

In that moment, I had the greatest revelation of the love that God has for all mankind.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16 NLT

I read and re-read this great love account.

1) God loved the world- The word world referenced here means the inhabitants of the earth, the human race. Not just those whom I personally have a positive viewpoint towards. And thanking God that He does love us even now. Despite all that I/we have said or done.

2) He gave His one and only Son- ..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 8:3 NLT

3) so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.- It is not safe for me to assume I know what a person believes because from the outside it appears as if they “have it altogether”. It’s also not safe for me to assume someone doesn’t believe because their outward appearance is different from my personal convictions.

The profound sacrifice of Jesus is love at it’s purest. And it is meant for all mankind. For everyone who will believe. I am so glad it was not up to me.

God, in His great grace and mercy, knew that we as humans would not be able to fulfill this most perfect plan. We would be swayed by temptations, evil thoughts, or wrong heart motives. After all, that is the epitome of sin itself.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. -2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

The physical evidence of what I see can be so deceiving. And sometimes it’s not. But, it’s not up to me. It’s determined by the ransom paid by Jesus upon the cross. I stand in awe of the wonderous works of our loving Father.

His commandment to love one another should not be perceived as a time-consuming obligation. Choosing to love is an eye-opening revelation. I am to love just as He has loved all the inhabitants of the earth. 

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“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.-John 15:9, 10, 12 NLT

No Longer a Worrier

A routine occurrence in our home is nap time around noon for our toddler. He has been spoiled by my husband and I as we lay with him until he falls asleep. Every day without fail, our toddler tosses and turns during his fight against sleep.

Sometimes this is due to him acting silly, other times this is due to him being seriously cranky. But, every time, he gets himself in a twisted mess amidst his favorite blankie. He usually cries or shouts that he’s stuck. To which I reply, “If you will hold still, I will fix your blankie for you”.

I can strangely relate with my toddler in this routine affair. I daily toss and turn worries around in my mind. It’s a fight against my own thought processes.

These worries can be as silly as ‘what will others think about how my husband dresses our children in mismatched clothes?’. (I wish I were kidding!) Or, these worries can be as serious as ‘how will people in this world influence our children?’. But I get myself in a twisted mess amidst my worries, every time. When I have finally had enough of all I can handle, I cry or shout to God. To which He replies,

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.- Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

The meaning behind being still is being silent, at rest, holding peace. This is directly opposite of having a worrying state of mind. In fact, God’s Word commands me, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”- Philippians 4:6 (NLT).

Let that sink in. Don’t worry about anything. Whether silly or serious, He’s saying, ‘not a single thing’! Again, He says, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”- Psalm 37:7 (NLT). I am not called to be a ‘Worrier’. But, I am called to be a ‘Warrior’.

When I finally allowed my mind to be still, I was reminded that God equips me for whatever I am warring against. “Now may the God of peace.. equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…”- Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV). And, a warrior is equipped with proper training and given armor and weaponry.

It’s true! God gives me proper training through the reading, understanding, acceptance, and application of His holy scripture. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV). 

And, He gives me the proper armor and weaponry to be protected as I stand still in Him. “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”- Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-17 (NLT). 

No matter the circumstances, I must remain still and trust God to fight for me. I must utilize the proper equipment to identify whatever I am warring against in my mind and to stand protected. I need not to be a ‘Worrier”. He has given me everything I need to be a Warrior!

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“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”- Psalm 144:1-2 (NIV)

Who am I?

Negative thoughts often cling to my mind like a death grip. I’m particularly haunted by the lies of failure, unworthiness, and loneliness. This concerns some big areas of my life, or even the core of my very being. There’s a constant battle with these thoughts and what God’s truth reveals in His word.

One of the biggest areas is my role as a homemaker. This path wasn’t always destined to be for me. I spent six years in school to earn my Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I was career oriented, and worked for almost 5 years in my field of expertise. It wasn’t until my seventh month of pregnancy that my husband and I decided it was more financially beneficial for me to stay home. Because of this, I often feel like a failure. Largely in student loan debt, I am not contributing to our family’s finances.

However, according to scripture I am a work of art- a showpiece of God’s creation. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.- Ephesians 2:10 (NLT). There is no failure in a masterpiece. And I can rely on the promise that God is constantly at work within me, perfecting His masterpiece, until Jesus comes! (Philippians 1:6).

Another area is my role in relationships with others. I can be impatient, argumentative, and controlling. My husband naturally yields patience. Our child is pleasant and content in character. My family lends overwhelming support. My friends offer kindness, compliments, and praise. Thus, feelings of unworthiness take over my mind. How do I deserve to be surrounded by so much love when my personality can be sometimes unloving?

However, scripture affirms that my inner being is sacred, a dwelling place for the Holy of holies. ..For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.- 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NLT). God sees great worth in me. He trusts me with promised treasures in this temple, and I am to guard these by the Spirit that is within me (2 Timothy 1:14).

My role as a stay-at-home mommy is another effected area. The vast majority of my family and friends work a day shift job. Since having a young child, it is difficult for me to plan social visits with people in the evenings. My child follows an early bedtime routine, and changing that course could result in a challenging night’s rest. This tends to breed the feeling of loneliness. I often feel isolated, being cooped up in a house with minimal adult interaction.

However, I am promised in scripture that I have an extended network of family. See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!..- 1 John 3:1 (NLT). I have a heavenly Father who has promised to never leave or abandon me (Deutoronomy 31:6). And since I’m adopted into sonship through Jesus Christ, I have brothers and sisters in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5), thus never being alone.

You see, it wouldn’t matter where I’m at in life, what I’m doing with my life, or who is in my life. Negative thoughts are constantly threatening to attack my mind. That’s because the enemy is always on the prowl, looking for whom he can destroy (1 Peter 5:8). And if I am not properly equipped to identify these lies, I would become victim to its destruction. And maybe you face this battle, too. But, there are beautiful truths given to us, by God’s word, to properly equip us! Praise be to God!

Friends, I pray that we daily take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). I pray that God imparts to us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of who He says we are (Proverbs 2:6). I pray that we live loved (1 John 4:16), because that is the most important essence of who we really are!

What negative thoughts are at battle in your mind? What truths from God’s word do you cling to in order to defeat the lies in your mind?

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“For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”- 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 (NIV)