LOOKING UP

Wow, I just saw something when I looked at yesterday's blog:

When the focus was centered on me... my thoughts, and all the uncertain circumstances of this New Year... a deafening cry of doom shouted off the page. As I re-read the first part of it just now, I could feel my heart racing and doubt creeping in again, yiikes.

Also, just noticed that in the first half of yesterday's blog, most of the sentences start with "I" and explore my stuff, the current "realities" of my life. Nothing I wrote is exaggerated, untrue, or embellished; I am broke and unemployed. But, obviously this is not where my thoughts need to anchor. I want to keep my eyes focused on God and my feet grounded in His Promises ... not my fleeting feelings or a swirling set of "what ifs." He will direct my path. And knowing that He is a God who does what He says He will do restores peace to my soul.

Things started looking up, as soon as, I started looking up!

I wound up having an amazing day yesterday. As I began writing down what I know to be TRUE about God, He lifted me up and I mean that literally a heaviness left my spirit. He rescued me from the quicksand of my negative thoughts. He even allowed me to be an encouragement in someone else's life yesterday. Amazing!

When my focus shifted from putting 'poor me' first, to putting powerful GOD FIRST, everything changed!

O, circumstances may remain the same, but minds focused on Jesus cannot stay the same. Thoughts of His Character, His Loving-kindness, all that He has done... this brings back the joy of living...living in the light of His Promises, that's where real life is found.

Reading Romans 8 yesterday transformed my thinking. I read and re-read and asked God to speak and strengthen me through the Truth of His Word. The Word of God is powerful it is life-changing. It does not return void, He promised.

What am I talking about here?
Well, it is NOT the power of positive thinking, or some New Age philosophy. It is NOT something that you can work up or drink down. It is the power of The Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, alive and active, at work inside believers!

Why do we keep forgetting that we have this gift inside of us?
Why don't we always live like this is True?
Why are we so lukewarm and "reality" focused?
Wake us UP, Lord, make Romans 8:11 our true reality:

"And if The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you!"

When I think of who I am, let my first thought be that I am Yours and Your Spirit lives in me! (not that I am unemployed or financially struggling or older or less energetic, all that is temporal) Keep me focused on Your Eternal Truths. Where am I headed with You? How are You changing me, teaching me, expanding the part of me that will be with You forever?

Keep us looking UP, ever-expecting YOU to break in and perform a miracle. Teach us to watch, wait, LOOK FOR YOUR HAND in all things. Teach us to walk by faith in the light of Your Love. That is my heart's desire.

"I will walk by faith, not by sight, 'cause I can't see straight in the broad daylight.
I will walk by faith, not be fear, 'cause I believe in The One who brought me here."