Steps To Filling Your Mind With God's Wonder In A Day That Goes Sideways

A bleak and raining day, along with the myriad of mess that litters the home can be just the slippery slope to bring down all our good intentions for the day.

Sometimes we can start our day right—with prayer and some time spent reading God's word.  Then along comes a text, or a bill, or a snarling, crying child (or in my case fighting children)—and wham all our good intentions for staying calm, patient, and filled with the joy of the Lord go flying out into the rain.

Emotions can control—or we can take back the control and re-establish our mood and joy.  One key step is to acknowledge where I am in the midst of my emotions.  I pull back—restart my steps back to filling myself with the joy of the Lord.  I don't want to be enslaved again to the emotions of anger, frustration, depression, and sadness.  Galatians 5:1 "What the Messiah has freed us for is freedom!  Therefore, stand firm, and don't let yourselves be tied up again to a yoke of slavery."

First, praise Him for all that you do have. Jeremiah 31:2 "From a distance Adonai appeared to me, [saying,]"I love you with an everlasting love; this is why in my grace I draw you to me."  The sheer fact that Christ sacrificed Himself for us should give us a pause and a start to our thanksgiving.  Hebrews 12:3 "Yes, think about Him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you won't grow tired or become despondent."

Second, put praise and worship music on and praise Him, again.  Psalm 57:8 "My heart is steadfast, God, steadfast.  I will sing and make music."

Third, praise Him for the work He is doing in your life. Proverbs 17:24 "The discerning person focuses on wisdom there before him, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth."

Fourth, praise Him for the miracles seen and unseen. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is worthy of trust; He will make you firm and guard you from the Evil One."

Fifth, praise Him for re-aligning you back to joy.  It is critical to thank God in advance of what He will do and then stand in firm faith that He will provide.  2 Samuel "For my house stands firm with God—He made an everlasting covenant with me.  It is in order, fully assured, that He will bring to full growth all my salvation and every desire."  Hebrews 11:6 "And without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches Him must trust that He does exist and that He becomes a rewarder to those who seek Him out."

And last, reach out to your fellow prayer warriors.  A tribe of true Christians who can stand in the gap—for you and with you—this is so critical to walking this life.  God never said to do it alone.  Even Paul wrote many times at the joy of having companions come to re-invigorate him.  Paul even wrote of a fellow prayer warrior:  Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras sends greetings; he is one of you, a slave(servant) of the Messiah Yeshua who always agonizes in his prayer on your behalf, praying that you may stand firm, mature and fully confident, as you devote yourselves completely to God's will."

May this post richly bless you to run the course that God has set before you in Christ Jesus!  Amen!