As I mentioned in the previous blog post, Be Still, is my theme for this year. I’ve noticed myself trying to be intentionally still and choose to reflect or really take in each moment. I’ve also tried to do less mindless scrolling…
However, today I was doing just that, mindlessly scrolling, when I came across a post from an influencer that I follow. What I saw was her holding a camera taking a picture of herself. I read the post and it said “me and my tea”, I looked at the picture again and was like, “what tea?” Read the caption again, looked at the picture again. Then I realized it wasn’t a camera that she was holding it was a cup of tea… In my head she had a camera – it just made sense. This reminded me of a situation this weekend where a friend perceived that something was happening and was very upset, when in actuality she had no idea what was actually going on.
How many times have we made assumptions or created scenarios in our minds based on our perception of things? I know I have. The enemy would love to just take these opportunities to make us build on our perception of things and make them worse than what they are. “She has a better camera, she has time to take these photos – they are leaving you out, they don’t want you here.” Whatever the situation, perception, or scenario is – hold it in light of Gods Word.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
As 2 Corinthians tells us, bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Don’t let these thoughts or comparisons get out of control and begin a downward snowball of self defeating thoughts. Be Still, take time to take in what all you’re looking at and don’t jump to conclusions.
Spend time in God’s Word, commit Philippians 4:8 to memory and when these thoughts or ideas begin to form make a check list in your mind. Whatever you’re thinking, is it; true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, praiseworthy? If not, maybe it’s not real.
Journal Prompts:
1. Write down Philippians 4:8 on two or three index cards. Put them throughout your home, bathroom, car, or wherever you will see it often. You could even use the image above as the image on your lock screen so you see it whenever you look at your phone. Spend time committing this scripture to memory so it’s in your heart when you need it.
2. Think of a time when a situation like this happened to you, when maybe things snowballed out of control and in reality the situation wasn’t what you thought. Where could you have stopped it?