What’s On Your Mind?

What’s on your mind?

By Carolyn Dale Newell

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

Hebrews 12:1-2a NKJV

Facebook users will recognize this question that appears before you write your post. Do people really want to know what is on your mind? God does.

The Lord knows our every thought, even the passing ones, but He is concerned about where our minds linger.

Sometimes, our minds are pre-occupied with nothing sinful. However, burdens weigh us down. Perhaps this is why everything goes wrong at the same time.

When God instructed Moses and the Israelites concerning warfare, God knew the importance of their attention spans. Out of His tender mercies, God allowed some men to return home from particular battles.

Some had built new homes. Others had planted new vineyards, and some were newlyweds. Future battles would necessitate all their manpower, but not the ones at hand.

War requires full attention, and so do the battles we fight today.

The worst year of my life was 2006. For several years, I had hired competent sitters to care for my mom at home as she dwindled away with dementia. It finally came to the point where she needed to be placed in a long-term facility. The move did not go well. Her pacing required a lock-down Alzheimer’s unit. She had to move several times to find the right fit.

I was pre-occupied with my mom and home schooling my daughter through her senior year of high school. My prayer life slacked off because life was too busy, until life would no longer be the same. In retrospect, I see my mistakes. I see the sin that so easily ensnared me.

My daughter was working at a pizza place. A couple employed by the restaurant lured my little girl into a sinful lifestyle. I was unaware of what appeared only to be an older couple taking interest in my daughter.

Once she turned eighteen, she left home to live with them. She broke off all communication with us, and this broke my heart.

Home-schooling and care-giving are good things, but even the good things can weigh us down. I couldn’t shed the burdens, but I should have been more diligent to safeguard my quiet time with the Lord.

The enemy knows when to strike. His timing is impeccable.

Are you in a battle today? Maybe two battles? God fights for you, but beware of your sinister opponent.

Does Satan cleverly have your mind focused in the wrong direction in order to get the upper hand? Trust in the Lord, and do not tremble. Always watch your back for the lion who seeks to devour you. Look for the serpent of old who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

Keep the lines of communication open with your Commander-in-Chief. Keep trusting. Keep focused on God.

Heavenly Father, we have weights that slow us down in this spiritual race, but help us focus on You. Protect our quiet time and guard our minds and schedules. Give us wisdom to discern the plots of the devil. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Deuteronomy 20:1-7.

HIKING THE TRAIL

In the midst of overwhelming loads, take time to rest. Our minds need it just as much as our bodies. A clear mind will focus better. The time you spend with the Lord should never be sacrificed. It is the one thread holding our lives together.

Copyright 2017 Carolyn Dale Newell.

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