I just read an article on how January is the most depressing month of the year. I can see how that’s true in many ways. The holidays can often leave us disappointed because they may have not turned out the way we planned. The reality of how much we spent on Christmas usually sets in about now. Tax time is right around the corner, which may be positive for those who are getting returns, but not for those who owe. The days are also shortened to where many people go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. And for those of us who have to battle the cold weather and snow, these winter months can sometimes feel like years.<\/p>\n
Yet despite all these outward circumstances, we have the power to enjoy every day of our life. I remember I used to envy those who seemed to always be enjoying life no matter what was going on around them. I thought you had to have a special personality to always be happy. I never knew my mind actually played a major role in my attitude and emotions. I never knew I could guard and control my thoughts to change my perspective on life’s circumstances.<\/p>\n
The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things<\/em><\/strong>.” And the New Living Translation for Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”<\/em><\/strong> We have a personal responsibility to take control of our mind by guarding it. We won’t be able to set our minds on Christ and what His Word says if we are not guarding our minds.<\/p>\n We guard our minds by watching what we allow ourselves to see, hear, and ultimately, accept into our thoughts. For example, if you’re in financial trouble and you hear about God’s promises and read verses on His provisions and blessings, but then you watch the news to see how bad the economy is, and talk with your friends about all your financial problems, and dwell on how bad your situation is, then you’re inevitably going to be depressed. You’ll not see beyond your circumstances, and you’ll void God’s Word from manifesting in your life.<\/p>\n In Luke 8, Jesus talked about the parable of the sower and the seed, with the seed being the Word of God. In verse 12-15, He explained the different ways the Word planted in us can be choked, and prevented from producing fruit in our lives.<\/p>\n V12:<\/strong> Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. <\/em><\/strong>The enemy can snatch the Word sown in us if we allow him to. When we’re thinking about our problems we’re accepting his lies over God’s Truth.<\/p>\n V13:<\/strong> Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. <\/em><\/strong>We have to continually stay connected to God, keep our hearts rooted in Jesus, and fill our minds with the Word of God daily.<\/p>\n V14:<\/strong> The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.<\/em><\/strong> If we don’t line our thoughts up with God’s Word, we will be carried away by the way of the world, and life’s circumstances will choke the seed sown in our life.<\/p>\n V15: But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. <\/em><\/strong>If we accept the Word planted in our hearts and persistently let His Word rule our thoughts, and therefore our actions, it will produce a harvest in our life.<\/p>\n We have to take control and guard our thoughts if we want to receive God’s best for our lives. We have to think and speak His Word over our lives, and not accept what doesn’t agree with His Word. For example, whenever I’m trusting God to help me through a trial, the enemy will often send people to remind me of my problem. If I don’t cast down that thought, by telling myself I’m not accepting it, it begins to take root and changes my perspective, which affects my attitude.<\/p>\n Learning not to accept wrong thoughts, and thinking and speaking in agreement with God, will help us enjoy our lives even in trials. Many circumstances that would’ve sent me into depression in the past, don’t upset me now, because my mind is on God. I can now see Him working through my trials, because I’m looking at what He is able to do, instead of what’s going on around me. Our problems don’t look so big when we measure them to God.<\/p>\n Isaiah 60:1 says, ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The glory of the Lord is upon us! Let’s get up and stop looking at our circumstances and start setting our minds on God and what He can do. Let’s not let the most depressing month of the year bring us down.<\/p>\n ************************************************************************** I encourage you to pray and ask God to help you pay attention to your thoughts this week. Think about God’s Word and His promises. When you find yourself starting to think negative and depressing thoughts, remind yourself that God is with you wherever you go, and He’s there to help you do whatever you need to do.<\/p>\n Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you\u00c2\u00a0go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Joshua 1:8-9<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n **************************************************************************<\/p>\n **Come back next Monday as I share more of God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Truths and the reasons behind the Truths.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n **Follow me on my facebook page as I share verses and encouragements throughout the week that correlate with each week\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lesson.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n All Bible verses are taken from the NIV, unless otherwise noted<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I just read an article on how January is the most depressing month of the year. I can see how that’s true in many ways. The holidays can often leave us disappointed because they may have not turned out the way we planned. The reality of how much we spent on Christmas usually sets in about now. Tax time is right around the corner, which may be positive for those who are getting returns, but not for those who owe. The days are also shortened to where many people go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. And for those of us who have to battle the cold weather and snow, these winter months can sometimes feel like years. Yet despite all these outward circumstances, we have the power to enjoy every day of our life. I remember I used to envy those who seemed to always be enjoying life no matter what was going on around them. I thought you had to have a special personality to always be happy. I never knew my mind actually played a major role in my attitude and emotions. I never knew I could guard and control my thoughts to change my perspective on life’s circumstances. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And the New Living Translation for Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” We have a Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=109"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sharingtruths.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n**Something to think about this week**<\/strong><\/p>\n