Clear Blue Skies – letting go of negative thoughts

As the little girl sat on the swing during recess, she observed her fellow classmates playing together. She was wondering why they outcast her. All she did was say, "No," when they challenged her to say a bad word. After they asked her why not, she told them because she believed in Jesus. That was when they laughed and said they wouldn't play with her anymore. Was she really that different? With the kids laughter echoing in her mind, the sadness flooded her little eyes with tears. She began to swing her petite legs back and forth. When she pumped the swing higher and higher, she caught a glimpse of the clear blue sky above the playground. It was so beautiful. The more she looked up, the less she saw of the kids on the playground. She was reminded that God made the sky and He made her too. He loved her and was proud of her for obeying Him. As the peace filled her soul, her tears began to dry up. Even though she was alone, friendless, and different, she was captured by the true loveliness of God. Every recess from then on, she would swing on that swing and be comforted by the peaceful sky and the God who created it. 

Have you found yourself dwelling on negative thoughts when you are faced with adversity? Are cloudy skies all you see?

Philippians 4:8-9 says, "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable —if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you (HCSB)."  

These verses are preceded with the command not to worry about anything but to pray and God will give you incomprehensible peace to protect your mind (Philippians 4:6-7). If you struggle with finding the positive, look up to the Creator who made the beautiful sky and pray. He will show you what is true; honorable; just; pure; lovely; commendable; excellent; and praise worthy. In verse 9, it says to do what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in God. Therefore, it also helps to think back on a time when God has brought you through in the past.
♥What did you learn about God?
♥What blessings did you receive from Him?
♥What did you hear from God?
♥ What did you see God do?
The word "do" in the beginning of this verse means: to practice. It's not natural to think on truth. It's much easier to be captured by the negative thoughts. Letting go of the negative and practicing thinking on truth will push away the clouds in view of clear blue skies – it takes practice.

As I think back on that little girl, I am aware of the fact that if I had not gone through that hard time so young, I would not have been prepared for what was to come in the future. As an adult, I have more complicated life interferences but with the same choice to look up and think on truth. Looking up toward God is one of the most valuable lessons I have learned. Thinking on truth allows me to see God, and dwell on His goodness despite the injustices this world brings.

"Heavenly Father, you are good. I let go of my negative thoughts to you. Help me think on your truth that sets me free and gives me peace."





© Carol Outhous Jones 2014



   

An Untraditional Easter – letting go of our plan's

This Easter, my youngest daughter was to be baptized, my family reunited with the coming home of my two other kids from a mission trip, worshipping my risen Savior in church, and a family dinner after church. Little did I know that God would strike my family with the stomach virus! Not just my immediate family but my father, whom I help care for. So, this Easter I spent my morning taking care of my parents and my husband spent his Easter morning taking care of my kids. No baptism, no family reunion, no church, and no family dinner...couldn't even stomach that.

As I awoke this holiday morning, I recognized the difference immediately from Easters past. In fact, it didn't feel like Easter at all. It felt like any other day. I was reminded of how we get caught up in the traditions of a holiday and don't realize that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is to be celebrated always in our everyday lives. Without Jesus, the son of God, I would be bound by my imperfections to death. He gave me life – eternal life despite my sin. You and I don't deserve this gift He gave so sacrificially. Every breath I have should be in sacrificial service to Him – my Savior and my King.

While I missed the holiday festivities and struggled with my attitude in the beginning, I was challenged by this scripture:

 "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:5-11 (HCSB)

I ended up taking this untraditional Easter and celebrated Jesus's resurrection in service to Him. How could I not? I served Him while serving my parents in my Easter best – Pajamas!
Are you struggling with having to let go of your plan's? Do you need to change your attitude about it? Remember what Jesus did for you. Let go of your plan and serve God in His plan. Isn't He worthy of your sacrificial love? Let's celebrate His resurrection every day despite our circumstances.

"Jesus, my Savior and my King, I exalt your name above every name. Thank you for your sacrificial love. I let go of my plans to serve you. Help me to have your attitude, despite my circumstances."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014







Making Lemonade – letting go of trials to have joy

You know that saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."? It took a long time for me to get to this perspective in life. I would read verses in the Bible like: James 1:2-4, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing (HCSB).", and I would think to myself, "How in the world can you expect me to have joy, God, when I am going through a tough ordeal? It seemed to me a very illogical thing to expect. I felt I could only endure in life if I was encouraged! This was not encouraging me because I wanted to be done with this trial and be soothed with understanding (it's a female thing).

God will open your eyes to the truth when you start asking Him questions.

He revealed to me that it wasn't the actual trial that I needed to be joyful about, but the result that it would have on my spiritual relationship with him; if I had faith. It is important to approach every experience in life with an eternal perspective. What do I mean by that? Well, it means to live life knowing that we are here to help build the kingdom of God and if this trial you are going through prepares you to be a witness then, praise God – JOY! We have to see beyond the here and now – to let go of the circumstances around us and live with a hope of a future eternity in heaven. Scripture says, in James 1:12, "A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him (HCSB)." – JOY!

In the original Greek, the word "passes" in this verse, means to cause to be and the word "test" here, means approved. The faith that allowed you to endure a trial caused you to be approved (2 Timothy 2:15). It shows your faithfulness to your heavenly Father when you believe and love Him. He wants to give you His love back with a crown (1 Peter 5:4). This crown represents royalty as a child of the King and eternal life in heaven with Him – JOY!

Be encouraged, follower of Christ, you can have joy in the midst of your trial. Looking back at all the trials I have encountered in my life, I am grateful for the Lord's protection and guidance. I know that whatever may come and shake my life up in the future, I can trust He will be with me. It helped me to mentally look at the reality of my problem with an eternal perspective knowing I will receive the crown of life by faith. Not only does He love you as His child with a crown in glory, in the meantime, He gives you a righteous maturity to handle this life one lemon of a trial at a time.

Practical tips to make lemonade out of lemons:
♥ Stay in God's word everyday
♥ Memorize scripture
♥ Surround yourself with fellow believers
♥ Sing praises to God
♥ Write down the times that God got you through a trial from the past

"Oh Lord, thank you for eternal life in heaven with you. I let go of my tough circumstances to you by faith. Give me your joy to look heavenward in the midst of my trials."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014





What is True Greatness? – letting go of pride

What is true greatness? In life there is a push and strive to be great – to make something of one’s self. God has given us the resources to accomplish amazing things. He even told Abraham He would make his name great (Gen. 12:2). The question is, what is the driving force behind your effort and when does it cross the line to becoming prideful? You might say to yourself, “I decided to make that wise investment or I worked hard for all I have." Even in the times you lower yourself like, "I don't buy the expensive brands because I don't need that or I won't ask anyone for help." Maybe we don't realize it but most of the time we say these things to make us feel better about ourselves; to be elevated, which is pride.

I have struggled with pride in both forms. So much so, I get sick of myself. I strive to have Christ's humility but seem to always cross that line into pride. He is the ultimate example of true greatness. He is the king of glory! Yet, the very nature of Christ was to be the heavenly Fathers humble servant on earth.

"...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” ~ Mark 10:43-45 (HCSB)

The driving force here, behind becoming great for the disciples, was to be the one out of the twelve to sit next to Him on either side of the throne, in heaven. Christ instructs his disciples that true greatness is to be a servant – minister to others by putting your own self last. He uses himself as the example, God's son, who is worthy to be served, but came only to minister. He humbled His kingly rights for our benefit when, He; who had no sin, put on our sin and sacrificed himself on the cross – all in service to us so we would have eternal life in heaven. This is true greatness!

Do you need to redefine your definition of greatness? With the knowledge that it's not by achievements that your saved but, through Christ's sacrifice (Eph. 2:8-10; Gal.2:16-21), is your driving force in life to be a servant for Christ? This means everything you do or accomplish has the perspective that it’s all God’s – for His glory. Just remember who it all belongs to in the first place. Abrahams name did become great but God was the one who made it that way. It was for His purpose to establish His nation for His glory. He is sovereign over all the heavens and the earth.

This week, be conscious of how many times you say the word “I” in a conversation, and the context in which it’s used. Is it bringing God glory or you? Let go of striving to be great for yourself or even for others. Let go and let God have the glory. There is less pressure and stress when you’re in the hands of the one who is truly GREAT!

“Jesus, my savior, you are sovereign! Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me of my pride. Use my achievements and goals for your glory. I let go of my pride to you."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014





Click here check out this link by John Piper on God's Sovereignty