How to Trust God # 3
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The radio played as I drove home sifting through the thoughts of my day. Suddenly a quote caught my attention. I missed who it was credited to but it was good. “No one is born a winner or looser, but each one is born a chooser”.
“How true,” I thought as I maneuvered through the traffic. I was a chooser…in every area of my life. Oh, I may not always choose my circumstances, but I would always be in charge of choosing my responses to those circumstances.
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God gently nudged my heart and I began to think about some of the thoughts I was choosing to entertain about circumstances in my day. He reminded me that a response in life always begins with a thought. Some of my thoughts toward people and circumstances in my day were rather negative, critical and impatient. Left alone these thoughts would surely spiral me down and impact my responses in the same way. The choice was mine. God’s Word came to my mind.
“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5b).
God is so good to remind us that we need to take stock of our thoughts. Thoughts are the seeds in our lives that result in actions and responses. We choose to let them stay or to take them captive and throw them out.
I realized the events of the day were sowing seeds in my mind and heart of things I did not want growing in my life. God used that quote on the radio to remind me that I was a chooser. I knew the kind of responses I wanted in my life and these thoughts would not get me there.
God’s Holy Spirit is our helper. He draws us on to be what we, in our own strength, cannot be. He helps us toss aside the seeds that would bear sour fruit if left unattended.
Where are your thoughts today? Be aware of what you are choosing to dwell on from your day or even your yesterday.
Seeds always grow up and bear fruit. Paying attention to what parades through your mind puts you in a pro-active position. Before thoughts of irritation and frustration grow into angry, bitter roots, choose to ask God’s Holy Spirit to help you take those thoughts captive and to respond to your circumstances with His grace and love and His wisdom.
Father God,
Thank you that You have equipped me with Your Holy Spirit to live day by day. Today I ask You to help me take captive thoughts that will spiral me down and cause me to react in ways I don’t want to. Help me to remember I am a chooser. Where I have neglected to choose in the past and roots have grown that I wish hadn’t, help me to have wisdom to know now how to weed them out. I look to You today to help me tend the seeds that come into my heart and mind and to choose what I will let grow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions: Are you paying attention to what parades through your mind? What are you choosing to dwell on? How does your choice affect your actions/your relationships?
About the Author Gail Rodgers
8 Responses to “How to Trust God # 3”
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Jean, I’ve added your email address to the list, you should start receiving the daily email soon!
For anyone else who would like to subscribe, please visit this link and you’ll receive them daily too! Subscribe to Daily Devotionals by Email
Please this is not a comment, but I changed e-mails and I don’t know how to get back on your list to received daily. Help!!! They are so wonderful (all), but Gail R. just hits the heart and gives holy spirit instuctions on how to get back on track. My e-mail is j.pospichal@cox.net
Great devotional.. I’ve been searching for answers on how to press on after a recent conflict w/ my brother. I believe that I’ve learned something here about how my “thoughts” can definitely determine either a positive or a negative outcome. I need to pay closer attenetion to my thoughts, as this is The Holy Spirit himself, nudging me to re-think, and choose something other than a negative on whatever the case may be. Thank you; I will definitely print this one. Love to all.
I wanted to add that this is a great devotional for some of my high school students. Although they may not have any faith at this point, it is a good reminder that all of us can take control of our thinking or choose which types of thoughts we want to dwell on. Of course having the power of the holy spirit to help us is a definite plus.
Thank you Gail. Your devotions always go straight to my heart. I will make a copy of this to tape on the inside of my Bible. My son is in a most difficult marriage and my thoughts can quickly send me into the valley of hopelessness. I am so sad for him. God Bless you richly for remaining obedient to His call to serve Him in such a meaningful and last way.
Yes, Gail, I know this is true. Thanks for a great devotional and just the right time.
Yes,it certainly is easier said then done,and yes, so necessary.I spent years not acknowledging the Holy Spirit`s gentle nudges when it came to my chooses.I`m so thankful he never gave up on me.I`m learning to listen to Him more before I react.Thanks,Gail,I needed this devotion so much today as a reminder in the chooses I`ve made in the last few months. Chooses I know are God approved!!!
Certainly easier said than done, but so necessary. I needed this reminder, thank you. God is so good to care enough to send us a messge at just the right time.