As a man thinks lesson #1 part 2
In the next few lessons we are going to get more in depth with each different struggle of the mind, but what we have got
to somehow do is step out of ourselves and look at us through different lenses. Now, I'm not talking about looking at
ourselves the way others view us, our kids' view us or anything like that. Those can just be avenues of greater
struggle. What I am talking about, if we are going to win the war that begins in our mind and continues through our
daily living and into every relationship we might have, we have got to see ourselves the way the Divine sees us!
How does God look at us? What is His view of us?
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he can be a great thing if we can start to think of us the way God thinks of us!
Now, I'm not trying to get into the motivational speaker mindset, but not everything they say is bad. We're not talking
now, if you have enough faith, you won't have any problems. We're talking about these self-defeating thoughts we have
of ourselves, these thinking patterns that can sap our zest for living the Christian life!
God continually wants to remind you what He thinks of you:
If only we would listen to Him, we would hear things like: I'm so proud of you, I love you son or daughter, and I want
you to feel part of my family and so on.
Gen.1:26- man is made in His image!
Zech.2:8- we are the apple of God's eye.
David struggled with inner thoughts a lot and he struggled to look at himself through the eyes of God but when he did
he was amazed.Psalms 8:3-6!
The point is though all others including yourself might think your not much, God doesn't!
One phrase that breaks our heart - Our daughter Sydney says "I can't do anything" It must break God's heart when His
children say the same things!
God wants to remind you that He sent Jesus for you.(2) Tim.1:8-10
Why? His love that is described well in Jer.31:3
God wants to remind you that He is still working on you.
Phil.1:6
Phil.2:12,13
Jude: 24- it will take some faith, but you can believe.
When you start to think that is this it? God says, no, I'm still working, you are not the finished product!
Another writer once asked "Do you think that mankind is the product of God's idle moments? You are God's "masterpiece"
and He will go to any length to perfect you."(3)
In thinking about this, there is something that the church can do! As a man thinks in his heart so is he!
We are called to be encouragers: Heb.10:24,25!
We may not be able to change a negative person's viewpoint but we definitely have the power to change a positive person's!
Remember, we can cause someone to think about themselves in a highly positive manner, or in a negative manner!
Remember God loves you, He loves you so much that He became like you and shed His precious blood. Whatever you might think
about yourself, know this, Jesus offers you a fresh start, forgiveness for all your wrongs and hope for a better tomorrow.
Do you want that? I hope you do...
(1) Neil T. Anderson, Victory Over The Darkness: realizing the power of your identity in Christ (Ventura, California:
Regal Books, 1990) p.107-9
(2) Leroy Brownlow, Making the Most of Life -From A to Z (Fort Worth, TX: Brownlow Publishing Company, 1968) p.70
(3) Jim McGuiggan, Since He Walked on Water we can wade through life (west Monroe, LA: Howard Publishing Company, 1991)
Introduction. Authored by Terry Rush.
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