Too Much Thinking...

 

Some thoughts sparked while reading daily devotions from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest...

"Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “. . . the cares of this world, . . . choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is."

Too much thought to my circumstances, whether good or bad, certainly distracts me from my relationship with the LORD. As a stay-at-home-mom, I am easily caught-up in thinking about how to improve my circumstances, or how I can make each day go more smoothly. I plan meals, I take my kids to do "fun" things (which is really motivated by my need to get out of the house, but it usually turns into a stressful event!); I day-dream about vacations and other ways of escaping my current circumstances sometimes, too. These kinds of thoughts (and more) "choke" the Holy Spirit out of my heart's radar, and rob me of the joy I can have all the time if I can simply be content and fruitful, no matter the circumstances I am in. It reminds me of what Paul said in Philippians 1:10-11:

"For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ- for this will bring much glory and praise to God." (NLT)

So, after this reading, and after a great sermon from my pastor on Sunday night ( I wanted to post a link here, but the sermon is not on our church website yet.), I am beginning to see what God is teaching me: I am convicted that I must start the process of eliminating thinking about my circumstances, good or bad. These thoughts cause distraction and discontentment, two great enemies of mine (and I think all of ours).  

If I, with God's help, can train my mind (Romans 12:2) to stop being caught up in the "if's", I can be filled with the fruit of my salvation, displaying a righteous character; bringing glory and praise to Him; living a "full and overflowing life!" Oh, Lord, forgive me for being so selfish at times!

To be continued...

Too Much Thinking About Myself continued...

"We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness. Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God."

I must continually remind myself of my true purpose in order to function in true, constant fellowship with God and in right fellowship with my family. "Well, what is your true purpose?," you might ask. Two passages come to mind, and they are two that Ben and I have committed to memory together: 

(In regard to my purpose toward others) 1 Peter 4:7 "The end of all things is near, therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, for love covers over a multitude of sins." 

(In regard to my purpose in Christ) Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Now all has been heard. Here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."

But, how can I do this in our culture? With all the pressure to perform well, appear to have it all together (this is multi-faceted), own this, wear that, sign my kids up for this, volunteer for this and that and this!?

"Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all."

I must remember that My life is not being measured by God in the same way that the world measures. "What he pours through us..." For me, this is about how much I pray for others; how tender and patient I am with my kids; how I extend grace and respect with lots of affection (no matter how tired I am) to my husband. Read 1 Peter 4:7-10. As I said in part I of this post, I must stop thinking about my circumstances. Anti-self realization. Christ pouring through and out of me. Things we cannot measure. 

Oh, LORD, I want to be clear-minded, self-controlled, prayerful (especially for others), deeply loving of others, fearfully reverent of Your commands, and most of all, non-complaining, unaware of my circumstances. May I look for You in every detail of my days, whether I am in my quiet time or policing two squealing toddlers. Jesus, give me supernatural strength to live 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, to "be joyful always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances."