When you change your thoughts you change your life. Instead of getting stuck in a rut, letting the same things wreck your day or your peace of mind, you can choose a different take and quite literally reprogram your mind!
Realizing this and then practicing it is incredibly freeing. Old triggers and thought patterns no longer have the control over you they once did.
Maybe you are on the edge of something and just need a little encouragement to step forward in faith. Consider this that encouragement. God didn’t call any of His people to mediocrity but to excellence. That’s why we want to do our best to recognize and break thought patterns that hold us back. Change your thoughts, change your life!
Gratitude
Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase something along the lines of “gratitude turns what we have into enough“. That simple phrase is a priceless reminder to switch gears from talking about and focusing on what we lack to appreciating what we have. And our focus makes all the difference in the world!
The truth of the matter is you can always find so much for which to be grateful! People who love you, a safe home, a roof over your head, God above, delicious meals, tools that help you get your work done, etc. Instead of harping on your aches and pains, your plans you didn’t accomplish, someone who cut you off in traffic, or any number of other petty annoyances, pray and ask God to help you recognize all He has blessed you with!
It is humbling and amazing to make these lists. If you are at all like me, your list will go on and on. You have so much more to be grateful for rather than to grumble about. But don’t stop with that sobering realization, let’s take it one step further. What if, instead of simply reprogramming your mind to focus on what you have, you took the trial and thanked God for it?
What? Thank God for annoyances and difficulties? Yes, because they have the ability to grow your character and help you become more Christlike, which should be every Christians ultimate goal. And each trial that you overcome and rise above makes the next that much more attainable! Don’t you imagine God is in heaven smiling at your resilience and determination to make the most of where He is leading you?!
Just think, God literally has a perfect track record – He will never leave you nor desert you. You cannot say that about anyone else on this earth. Lean into Him and watch how He will change your life for the better!
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
We’ve all heard that quote, haven’t we – God helps those who help themselves. We aren’t just to sit on the sidelines of life and be surprised that it is passing us by. God expects us to do the work He places in front of us, to pursue the matters He puts in our hearts. He’s not trying to confuse, trick, or fool us. He has a hope and a future for His people, plans to prosper us, and not harm us.
What does this look like on our end? When I wanted to open a storefront, I looked at available storefronts. I made calls and I asked around. I knocked on proverbial doors. The storefront ended up coming in a different way than my searching for one. But it was even better than what I was finding! Because that’s how God works! But He needs us to be putting in effort.
Could He have presented the opportunity to me without my having to do any of the work leading up to it? Technically, He’s God, He can do anything – but that doesn’t mean He will. I truly believe it is our Christian duty to put in the work while believing God for the provision. I didn’t think I was going to strong arm my way into a shop on my own merits. Rather, I was counting on God to direct my steps. And you are a lot more likely to pick up on direction when you are in motion.
But think about it on a human level, that is sometimes easier to comprehend. If I had gone to my Dad and told him I was looking for a storefront, he would have encouraged me to figure out exactly what I was looking for. A standalone building or in a strip mall? In town or closer to home? How large did it need to be? And the list goes on. Visiting and investigating what I could find gave me insight I didn’t have before I began! Neighbors and neighborhood matter, traffic and quality of traffic matter, etc. If he had rushed out to secure a spot for me, how could I have figured out how to evaluate what I was looking for?
In much the same way, I think God put us on earth to live this mysterious life He’s placed before us. He gives us inclinations and hopes and then it is up to us to prayerfully pursue them and see where they lead. Does our path ever change directions? Yes, I would say so. Sometimes God leads us to or through things to help us develop our character and resilience for what’s ahead. The path it looked like He had us on turns suddenly or even dead ends. But just as we discussed above, we can thank Him for the journey. Certain that every single thing is for a purpose.
God-Honoring Relationships
How do we apply this to relationships in our lives? Since it is the man who is supposed to do the pursuing, how do Christian women make themselves available? This is something that I’ve pondered for awhile. Somehow it is easier to pursue work and opening businesses than it is to know how to properly make oneself available for a relationship that leads to marriage and a family.
So little by little, I’m discovering how God is leading in this area. I’ve been told plenty that it will happen when I least expect it – and I get the counsel not to stress or obsess over it. But if we flipped the script and we were talking about a job, I don’t think anyone would be impressed if my response was that I was sure work would come along when I was least expecting it.
I read a wonderful quote the other day that I wanted to be sure to share – along the lines of God helping those who help themselves. It said, be sure you give Him something to work with – trust, faith, hope, etc. And that fueled my resolve to keep knocking on doors and trying to understand where God is leading in this season. I believe I was raised to be a homemaker for a purpose and that He has created me for a remarkable man. And if He has placed that hope in your heart, let me encourage you to pray a little harder, believe more deeply, trusting that He will lead each step of the way.
Instead of just waiting endlessly, let’s work on growing our character, fine-tuning our responses and patience, working to become an excellent wife, worthy of finding. I fear modern-Christianity has watered down our expectations and the strength of our faith. God has an abundance of remarkable men and Christ Himself said the level of our faith will unlock the door of what’s next. Don’t mistake contentment with complacency. Step up and take action today. Change your mindset of complacency to a mindset of faith and expectancy and you will change your life!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/