Are You Out of YOUR Mind...yet?

I believe one of the greatest struggles we face is the struggle to focus on the right thing. The struggle to look at the process and not the reward. The struggle to look at what we were created for and NOT focus on what doing what we were created for may fetch us in this world.

As we go through life and as we face the various challenges that come our way we tend to focus on what we perceive to be the most critical items rather than considering what God tells us is the most essential. Lately…in our country, there has been one overwhelming item that has taken the forefront position in the minds of most people. The economy and the overall crumbling of our financial system has been the lead topic of most news programs. And as I have mentioned before…I believe this leaves us as Christians with an incredible opportunity to be a witness and to be a comfort to the rest of the world around us.

I know some of you are thinking that you don’t seem prepared to be a witness or to be in a position to minister to others because you have more than enough issues of your own. I understand and I know what you are talking about. But your own current financial position has nothing to do with your ability to minister and be an example to those around you. It isn’t just about the position you are in…it is about how your attitude and how you deal with your position that becomes your testimony.

As Christians we have the “mind of Christ…” and as such we have to realize that we have the ability to think and see everything around as Christ himself sees it. Our Lord doesn’t ever worry…he sees the things that would cause worry as an opportunity for us to build our faith. He never sees the lack of ability in a person…he always sees the potential the perceived inability represents. Our Lord cannot recognize lack…instead he calls us to create. There was absolutely nothing prior to first day of creation…and out of this, just seven days later there is an earth and living creatures and us. The mind that created this world out of nothing is the same mind that we have been blessed with. So when we say we are lacking or short of anything and you are complaining to God about it…it is good for you to remember that God created all of this from nothing. And we now have this same mind of Christ within us.

The thing to do when you feel you need more and when you feel you are experiencing lack…the call then is for you to create. Follow the example that we are called to follow and create. We have the ability within us. We have been blessed beyond measure. The challenge is there for us to respond to. Are you going to sit there and complain or are you going to start fishing? (See last weeks Word if you don’t get this statement.)

One of the great stress producers in our own lives is when we are living incongruent lives…when our actions don’t line up with our values. I believe we also create stress and conflict when we are striving to make decisions based on God’s word but we don’t allow our minds to operate in the Christ mode that they now have as Christians. When you switch to the worlds way of thinking for your answers, while you are praying for God to give you your answer…you are bound to run into conflict.

Proverbs 19:20-21 – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved