by Lucy | Dec 24, 2018 | biblical counseling, thoughts
Does a truly beautiful Christmas mean newly fallen snow, gingerbread houses, and piles of sparkly presents under the tree? Of course not. A truly beautiful Christmas is so much more.
God adorns you on the inside, beginning in your thoughts. Yucky, God-dismissing thoughts are disgusting like dirty snow. But beautiful God-glorifying thoughts spill into new attitudes and new actions.
What’s truly beautiful: a Christ-focused Christian woman!
But how do we get from ugly, dirty snow thinking to the truly beautiful? This is a favorite question, one I use to counsel my own heart and to help my counselees. Indeed, if we don’t know our hope, then how can we get there?
In today’s enouragement…
You’ll see how to focus your thoughts on God’s glory, which in turn changes your attitude and actions. And, dear sister, if now you have crummy thoughts and a humbug attitude, please keep reading because these words are for you.
Click & Tweet!
1. Focus on God in Your Thoughts
A truly beautiful Christmas begins with thinking on the truth that we love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). We couldn’t save ourselves. We need a Savior, born in a manger long, long ago, God’s answer to our deepest problem. That is, sin.
And this is important: we choose to focus on God’s glory with our minds, not our feelings. Please don’t let emotions rule you. For when you do, you may soar like an eagle one moment but drop like a stone the next.
Instead, focus on his glory no matter your feelings. As you do, nasty thoughts lessen in intensity and duration and new, God-glorifying thoughts take their place.
OUT GOES
Jealousy, bitterness, sadness, anxiety, doubt
IN COMES
Generosity, kindness, contentment, peace, confidence
2. Focus on God in Your Attitude
A truly beautiful Christmas becomes an amazing attitude. You see, as think on the God’s truth and agree with it, your attitude renews. To illustrate, let’s look at 1 Thessalonians 5:18 with my counselees. This verse says,
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As you might expect, most of my counselees deal with tough stuff. Who wants to give thanks for the hard? No one, right? But this isn’t what the verse says. It says to give thanks in all circumstances.
Yes, it’s horrible to learn a husband looks at porn. And it’s awful a teen daughter skips class or that you may lose your job. But you can be thankful that God is in control and is working out all things even when you cannot see it (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Are you beginning to see how your attitude changes as you focus on God? No one is a lost cause, no situation is hopeless. To the contrary! If you need help to improve your thinking, contact me.
Focus on God in Your Actions
A truly beatiful Christmas also means new God-glorifying actions, whether in word or deed. But each of us are weighed down, right? The single mom, the empty nester, the woman in chronic pain, the perfectionist, and on and on and on.
And modern-day, busy-busy Christmas makes demands on our schedules and energy, and sometimes in the middle of it all, our thoughts go south and our attitudes stink. But when we focus on God, our actions and words can display Christ beautifully.
Remember, change does NOT start with behavior modificaiton. Rather, as mentioned, it begins with your thoughts. So if you (or a friend) notice you spoke sharply or complained about snow or lack thereof, or if you’re dissatisfied, choose to think about your thoughts.
Ask yourself–
- What thoughts just ran though my mind?
Then condider–
- Do my thoughts honor God? Do they line up with the Word?
If not, then determine to change them.
- First, identify right thinking.
- Second, agree with God to renew your thoughts.
- Third, ask his help to change.
- And finally, thank him for what he’ll do even before he does it. This is faith!
Indeed, focusing on God in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions ensures a truly beautiful Christmas!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
by Lucy | Jun 19, 2018 | biblical counseling, thoughts
Meditation: this word unnerves some Christians. They think it is Eastern-New-Age woo-hoo mysticism. But is all meditation … bad?
On the daily it seems a new yoga studio opens in town or a mindfulness article pops up online. In a 2012 survey by the National Institute of Health, 21 million adults and nearly 2 million children practice yoga, a mind-and-body practice with origins in ancient Indian philosophy. Mindfulness has roots in religious and philosophical systems, too.
BUT … Christian meditation focuses on the Word of God (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2). It is a truly awesome Christian discipline when you fill your mind with God’s truths. Underline: fill your mind with God’s truth!
Click & Tweet!
So the important question is this: What are you meditating on? Three quick questions to consider:
- What is Christian meditation?
- Can Eastern meditation hurt you?
- How to begin Christian meditation.
What Is Christian Meditation?
The dictionary’s defines meditation this way: “To focus on one’s thoughts on; to ponder, think on, or muse.” But focus on what? Christian meditation has a very clear focus: God and his glory. Here are a few verses:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
And,
May my mediation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104:34
Psalm 1:2 and Philippians 4:8 provide answers.
But his delight is in the lawof the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Can Eastern Meditation Hurt You?
No doubt you’ve heard that meditation lessens anxiety as one empties her mind of the cares of the world and “turns inward.” The focus: your feelings.
But relying on your feelings leads you away from the God’s truth. Here’s a crucial question:
- What happens when you dwell on your fears or difficult circumstances?
You lose your peace, don’t you? And you may forget the freedom you have in Christ. And turning inward and focusing on your feelings, rather than God’s loving truth, creates havoc in your soul, doesn’t it? Your heart may be filled with despair or anger or fear.
The antidote: Meditate on God’s promises and presence!
Colossians 3:2-4 says;
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
How to Begin Christian Meditation
Christian meditation is focusing on Scripture. Like any new habit, you’ll need to stick with it for it to become second-nature, but you can do it! God will help you! Here are a few ideas on getting started.
Time and Place
Set aside a specific time for reading God’s Word daily. Ideally, choose the same spot to read and meditate on God’s Word. Begin with prayer.
Choose Scripture
It may be tempting to read the latest Christian bestseller. Don’t. Instead, choose a book of the Bible to read through slowly or a section of Scripture.
Read and Reread
Read your selected Scripture once, then read it again. Slow down the second time.
Ask Questions
After reading your selected Scripture twice, ask questions:
- Who is the author and who is he addressing?
- Why is he writing?
- What do the verses say about God? about his audience?
- How does it apply to living a godly life today?
Write a Verse to Meditate On
Now write one of the verses in your selected Scripure to meditate on throughout your day. You may prefer a notecard or the “notes” section of your smartphone.
Pray
Thank God for revealing his truth to your mind. And ask him to help your walk in the loving truth he has revealed.
Counseling Hearts to Hope!
by Lucy | May 22, 2018 | biblical counseling, identity in Christ, thoughts
New heart, new desire, new life — every believer has this now. Crazy good truth, right? But sometimes we “forget,” don’t we? This article by guest writer Deborah Smith, which appeared first here on Reviving Your Heart, tells a story of we all need to heart: you are not what you were. Best of all, your hope is Christ. Her story is used with permission. Part 1 in a 3-part series.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17).
On January 22, 1999, the Lord delivered me from drug addiction. He removed the desire for drugs and alcohol and replaced it with a deep desire for Him. He began a good work in me—one that He promises to complete until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:5). My deliverance was so immediate and drastic, it was obvious to everyone who knew me that the Lord had done something miraculous!
Click & Tweet!
Yes, my new life is a bonafide miracle. And if you are in Christ, so is yours!
Click & Tweet!
As a Christian, the Lord says that we are “new creations,” equipped with new hearts that will desire new things and will live a new life.
When is the last time you really thought about that? When you do reflect on it, what do you think? Do you walk in that truth or do you think things like, I’m definitely better, but I’m not sure about new?
While it’s difficult for some of us to believe this amazing truth because we still see sin in our lives, I want to encourage you to change your thinking. Yes, we still struggle with sin, but we are new, not perfect. Because of the very fact that you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you’re not the same person.
Consider these three beautiful truths:
- Christians have new hearts.
- Christians have new desires.
- And Christians have new life!
A New Heart
“I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek. 36:26).
The first thing God does when He saves us is to give us a heart that’s sensitive to His Spirit and able to be shaped by His Word. Considering that we are told to guard our heart, for out of it flows the issues of life (Prov. 4:23), it makes sense that the Lord begins His work there. Maybe you think things like,
I’ve got so much growing to do . . . or my heart still ain’t right! . . . or I don’t feel new.
Well, beloved, feelings are real, but they are not facts . . . and the fact is that the moment you and I confessed with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we were saved. From that day forward, we are being made new. Pretty astounding, right?
Oh, this was good news to me, because nineteen years ago, I desperately needed to be made new! And truth is I’m still in need, and I’m still being made new. Our justification is instantaneous, but our sanctification is a process, so press toward the mark and be patient with yourself. He is taking us from one degree of glory to the next (2 Cor. 3:18).
With a New Heart Comes Freedom
Before the Lord called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), we were slaves to sin. Sin was our master, and it was a taskmaster! Consider the number of times you said, I’m not going to do that again or I’m not going to respond like that again, but found yourself unable to exercise any control.
For some reading this, you may remember indulging in sexual sin and even being soul-sick over it, but yet you had no power to resist. Or some of us were so completely self-centered in our thinking that we had no regard for others. Or perhaps you were consumed with jealousy and covetousness or anger and unforgiveness.
I remember wanting to be free from drugs and its accompanying sin years before I stopped. And when the Lord delivered me from those most obvious signs of my total depravity, I still struggled with heart issues: resentment, lying, greed, lust. Before the Lord’s grace in my life, I had no choice but to “be that person.” My friends, that’s bondage.
Here’s the good news: The Lord died to set us free! His Word says that those whom the Son sets free will be free indeed (John 8:36). Do you believe God’s Word? We will not be perfect this side of glory, but we are being perfected (Heb. 10:14). We aren’t yet what we’re going to be, but we aren’t what we used to be either. God says we have actually been reborn. My prayer is that we would believe God and embrace our new life, live free from regret of our sinful past, and walk boldly as children full of His Spirit.
Stay posted, friends: Part 2 covers new desires. You want new desires from what God has for you, don’t you?
Counseling Hearts to Hope,
by Lucy | Mar 8, 2018 | biblical counseling, emotions |
ESCAPE: Who doesn’t want to escape life’s crazy stress? Donna Hart, PhD, listed here on Heart2Heart Counselor Directory, shares insights and practical, biblical ideas on escaping stress the better way. Her article appeared first here on her website and is used with permission.
Our American culture is one that often encourages us to escape. When we feel tired and overworked can we say to ourselves, “I need a vacation?” Is there an underlying meaning in there that says, “I need to escape from the rigors of everyday life?” Is there a sense in which we are saying that it is permissible to escape from problems of life because as the saying goes, “You deserve a break today.”
Psalm 55:6-7 says.
“I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness.”
Does it sound like the desire to “escape” from this world has been around for a few thousand years?
Jesus Escaped the Best Way
What did Jesus do? Jesus escaped from this fallen world at times. The difference is that Jesus did it without sin. He did escape from the pressures of the multitudes that followed Him and from His disciples as well. The purpose of Jesus escape from the people is given in Scripture, as His wanting to be with His Heavenly Father. The escape Jesus turned to was spending time in intimate fellowship with His Father in heaven.
How might you turn to God to cultivate your relationship with Him? Can you turn to God because He can solve your problems according to His will?
Does everyone deal with wanting to escape from painful circumstances or emotions caused by the hurt and rejection of a loved one?
Perhaps you feel the hurt of rejection very deeply because of your tremendous sensitivity and tender-heart toward people. If you feel emotions at an extreme measure from a perceived rejection, is it essential that you learn to overcome those emotions by making cognitive choices to please God.
Do you habitually respond to pain by doing things that are pleasurable and give you a short period of escape from the painful rigors of life? Do you expect that the pleasurable things would eventually rule you? 1 Corinthians 6:12 says,
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”
We Often Escape the Wrong Way
Those who run to comfort or pleasure rather than face the pain tend to make feeling-oriented decisions.
They feel emotions to the extreme. These lead to powerful influences that affect their behavior; sometimes leading them astray. Do we all need to learn to be ruled by the commands of God rather than by our personal emotions?
God has allowed you to be right where you are. Contentment is learned by looking for the blessings and choosing to think on the circumstances as blessings rather then thinking of them as a curse. Does a loving Heavenly Father curse an obedient child? God does not curse His children but He does discipline them.
Hebrews 12:6 says,
“For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.”
How to Make a Healthy Escape
You must contentment by focusing your thoughts on the right things (Philippians 4:8).
- The repentant Christian no longer has to hide, lie, or attempt to appear perfect to other people because their identity is in Christ.
- You have faults, problems, and struggles in this life but Christ is able to strengthen you to overcome those weaknesses.
- You are to become more like Christ Jesus every day that you live, but you are an imperfect creature dealing with the consequences of sin in a sin-cursed world.
- Also you will become more like Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit working in conjunction with the Word of God.
In what ways have you found it difficult to find contentment? I look forward to your comments.
Donna Hart, PhD, has been counseling in greater Chicago for more than 15 years and is a counselor at Biblical Counseling Center. She also enjoys being an adjunct professor in the adult undergraduate department at Trinity International University. Her education includes a MDiv degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in biblical counseling from Trinity Seminary.
Counseling Hearts to Hope,
by Lucy | Dec 26, 2017 | emotions, relationships, whole health wellness |
PRAYER-WALK: When you prayer-walk scripture, stress lifts and your peace returns. And it’s best to prayer-walk outside.
Here’s why. Here’s how.
Have you trudged through a day when everything went wrong? Maybe your computer crashed, or the pet barfed on the carpet. Perhaps you got really bad news. If you’re up to your eyebrows in quick-sand stress, you need peace now. Right?
Here’s a solution: Prayer-walk scripture. It gets you away from the distractions of technology, as long as you leave you phone at home, of course! Says bible translator Jordan Monson:
For two thousand years, the most private and undistracted place was behind the closed door. Now, the noise has relocated indoors. If our computers and devices are near, it’s the worst place to try to pray. Walking through Times Square is less distracting than sitting alone in a room full of technology.
4 Reasons!
When you prayer-walk a scripture, at least 4 awesome things happen:
- your stress lessens
- you connect deeply with God
- you get exercise
- you think on heavenly things, squelching anxiety
1. De-stress!
Have you ever had a week or a month or a year when one stress after another slammed you like a hurricane? Walking helps relieve stress, thus improving your mood and mental outlook. It also reduces muscle tension and stress hormones as well as high-pressure emotions like anxiety, anger, and depression.
2. Connect with God
When you prayer-walk a scripture — that is, talk with God about a specific bible verse and think on what it says and its application — you readjust your priorities and put first things first.
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
For instance, while prayer-walking and thinking on Psalm 23:1, you might reflect on the meaning of “I shall not want” and tell God you give up self-rule and submit to him. In my walks while praying this verse, God has impressed on my heart the truth that he is in control. The result? I sense his strength and comfort, and worship him.
3. Move It
Walking unleashes the body’s endorphins, the feel-good neurotransmitters. And the motion loosens tight muscles and reduces mental stress too.
No doubt you’ve heard that the best exercise is the one you’ll actually do. If not walking, what exercise gets you moving? Swimming, biking, dance, or gardening? And how much exercise do you need? Dr. Edward R. Laskowski recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobice exercise weekly.
4. Think UP
God tells us what to think on: heavenly things.
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
But your mind want to wander, right? When this happens to me, I refocus on the scripture I’m praying. Since I’m prayer-walking a single scripture verse or passage, this is simple to do. I simply go back to where I left off, or begin again.
How to Prayer-Walk
Here’s what my prayer-walk looks like. First, I choose a scripture. Psalm 23 is a favorite. I see the word pictures as I walk.
I say, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want” and picture a sheep happily resting on shoulders of a strong, gentle shepherd. I am the sheep.
And pray something like–
Father, you know my Honda’s transmission is acting up again. You know my needs. I am asking that you give me wisdom to make the right decision. Thank you that I have a car that runs.
Now the next verse. “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” My mind’s eye sees rolling hills of lush grass and a stream. I utter these words: Oh, yes, rest! Thank you, Lord, for the reminder that I need rest and that it’s good. It’s not a luxury. I don’t have to run around like a manic squirrel, trying to do everything that people ask.
What About Wacky Weather?
During crazy-bad weather, prayer-walk scriptures in the comfort of home. Simply walk in place. The more you move your arms, the higher your heart rate. Or choose a treadmill at a gym.
Most important: Get started. 🙂
Counseling hearts to hope,
