Tag Archives: Spirituality

Renewing Your Mind

Posted on by yolandaberry
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As we anxiously wait for the first day of summer, let us not forget this is the perfect time to reflect on the goals we set during the beginning of the year. We are halfway through 2010. Let us not to forget to evaluate our lives and what we plan to achieve by the end of the year. We are always reminded during Spring to clean out the clutter, so we may receive new things.

Let us not forget to clean out our minds which include bad memories and habits, defeated thoughts and attitudes or anything else that may be holding us back from receiving what God has promised us as His children. “Behold, I am doing a new thing. Old things have passed away. Behold, I make all things new.” II Corth 5:17

Refocus on Priorities

It’s important to take time to reflect on your life in a positive way. Don’t beat yourself up for goals that you haven’t attained just yet. But, just learn to refocus on priorities and set small goals to work towards what you desire to achieve.

Build a Support System

Also, you must pay close attention to your social environment. You should build a strong support system of family, friends, neighbors, classmates and church associates.

What type of people do you surround yourself? Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive people who will inspire, encourage and motivate you. Pay attention to the details of the heart of people that you interact with on a daily basis. What are their motives or intentions? Are their actions and words positive or negative? Take note of their behavior and decide whether you choose to be around them. You are valuable and so is your time.

You should spend time expanding your mind. If you don’t enjoy reading, make it a point to watch a movie or documentary that will give you a different perspective on life. You need to refresh your mind. Water your mind with knowledge and watch it grow. In scripture it states, “My people will perish for the lack of knowledge.” So, don’t be afraid to surround yourself with people who think differently than you do. Expose yourself to new cultures, races, creeds, religions or non-religious people. Be open to new ideas, opinions and thoughts. You can have a healthy conversation without having a debate or argument. That’s what makes life interesting. You do not have to agree with the person, but please make sure you respect them.

Guard Your Heart and Thoughts

It’s important to guard your thoughts. It’s so easy to dwell on negative emotions or words that will eventually influence your mind and behavior. Be mindful of what you allow to enter into your mind. There are many negative influences that surround us in the world and it doesn’t take long for a negative seed to be planted in your mind which eventually takes root. It’s much like weeds growing among beautiful, green grass. Weeds tend to multiply quickly and destroy the view. If you feed your mind junk, that’s exactly what you will eventually believe or think.

We are constantly influenced by images, words and stereotypes that influence the way we think. We have been so programmed that we often do not really learn to think for ourselves anymore. Don’t rely on gossip or rumors, but confront the source to get the correct information. Let’s be conscious of what we choose to listen to since this has a strong impact on how we see ourselves and others and can eventually influence our overall behavior.

Fill your mind with God’s word. It’s the most important thing you can do to withstand the attacks from the enemy. The only way to win the battles that come against you is to put on the armor of the Lord. To overcome the storms of life, you must read and study God’s word. It’s filled with power, truth, protection, guidance and His promises. Through daily mediation on God’s word, you will start to build faith, strength and courage to overcome the challenges and obstacles that you face. Through prayer, you will build a relationship with the Lord and will be shielded through your trials and tribulations. Even though bad things will still happen, hold onto your faith. You will have to endure many tests in life. Keeping your heart and mind grounded in the word of God, will eventually lead you to the harvest He has prepared for you.

Patience

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up like eagles. They shall walk and not be weary and shall run and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30)

The Lord has called us out of this world for His own purpose and His own will. He selected us from the womb. “Our very hairs on our heads are numbered.” Luke 12:7 He chose us even though we had no understanding. We walked in the world as blind men. We acted and indulged in our own pleasures. We chased after material things, fought over titles and positions, looked to men for approval and acceptance while denying our individuality and self worth and respect, even compromised our integrity. We ran in every direction possible without considering God.  

The Lord called on us and He waited. We lived in selfishness and greed. He waited. We told lies and gossiped about others. He waited. We made our own decision without seeking Him first. He waited. We lived in lust and pleasures. He waited. We drank, smoked and cursed. He waited. Then, we wonder why God requires us to have patience?

 Living in a fast food society and mentality, we can’t deal with traffic. We can’t wait for our spouse to get ready before going out to dinner. Children are ignored and sometimes mistreated because of lack of patience. We can’t even wait for the internet to finish downloading or move to the next page fast enough. We want to see results immediately without question; while He sits on the throne and waits patiently for us to come to Him.

The Lord nudges to get our attention through circumstances and situations. He whispers faintly, but we don’t hear. We are wrapped up in our own world of confusion—trying to figure out our own goals, ambitions and purpose in life. He whispers faintly; but we do not hear. We force a life that we chose due to our desires. He whispers faintly, but we do not hear. We try to fit a square peg in a round hole. He whispers faintly, but we do not hear.

 We finally get to a point where we realize we can’t do it by ourselves or depend on others. We are not fulfilled with all we tried to accomplish or who we tried to impress. We get physically, mental and emotionally exhausted before surrendering to His will.

 That’s when we are pliable for the Lord to work in our lives. He can finally mold and shape us in who He desired us to be. We are given a choice. Our hearts must be open to Him as He patiently sits waiting for us to acknowledge and worship Him.

 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Walking in the Light

Posted on by yolandaberry
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The word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

I went to the library and decided to walk since it was about 65 degrees. It was a gorgeous day, especially after dealing with the biggest snowstorm of the year about a week ago!

On my way back, I was wondering about my direction in life. I know what I want to do, but I just don’t know how to get there. We all know that we need to enjoy the journey and not the destination, but sometimes to be honest, I desire a shortcut pass the struggles, disappointments and challenges of life.

The world has taken a strange turn in the past few years. I have been through many transitions, but I’ve been at a level of peace that I can’t comprehend. 

I believe in unexpected opportunities in the midst of a crisis. I might be a little more optimistic than the majority and it serves favorable. It also helps me overlook the panic and despair that others may feel and experience at this time.

While I was walking, I happened to look down and saw a business card on the ground. I picked it up and noticed  that it was from a church ministry.

On the back was printed, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness.” I stopped in my tracks in astonishment. I also reflected on the verse I read this morning in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.

Some may believe it was a coincidence. I believe God speaks in gentle whispers to get our attention.