Changing Your Mind

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion…unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.  The mind can either be at rest or it can be busy at all times.

My mind was in perpetual motion, constantly worried about something. Although things were being taken care of, I was never able to rest. But a wise friend suggested a semester of rest—to stop working and just rest in my Father’s love for me.  That was hard to do.  I was a “doer” and in the midst of the chaos, my identity got caught up in “doing” instead of being…

When I was first told to run as a way to alleviate stress, I really disliked it, but I quickly discovered that running was the unbalanced force my mind needed to shift from doing to resting.  But the enemy was aware of this and began to flood my mind with constant lies, “You’ll never be able to do this.  You’re too tired. You can’t do this.”  Over and over I heard in my head, “I can’t! I can’t! I can’t!”  But then something amazing happened: I opened my mouth and said, “I can! I can! I can!”  Throughout that whole day, and every time after when I felt something come against me, I would open my mouth and say, “I can!”

What has the enemy been saying you can’t do? Refute his lies by saying out loud, “I can!”

©Heather Potts 2016

Not for the Fainthearted

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10 NASB

War is not for the faint of heart but for the armed.  With great intensity and mighty power this war will be won—this trial overcome—through worship, prayer, faith and courage to believe as we keep moving forward.

God spoke this truth to me over a year ago, when we were standing face-to-face with the possibility of Brad’s second open-heart surgery.  It turned out to be a “reading” error, in that someone hadn’t properly read the notes of his first heart surgery when comparing them to his most recent tests.  We were beyond relieved that he didn’t need surgery!

As I have prepared for today—for this C-Section and the birth of our daughter—I’m reminded that “War is not for the faint of heart but for the armed.”  Am I at war?  According to John 10:10, the enemy is always plotting against us, looking for ways to steal from us, and ever at work trying to destroy us.  But we have the Lord on our side and He has prepared us!  He has given us the tools that we need, surrounded us with friends who lift us up in prayer, and given us His Comforter and Counselor.

Brad & I have packed, but more than that, we have prayed and have taken communion, standing firm in our faith knowing that our God is Mighty and Powerful and has never let us down.  We trust that He has gone before us and prepared the hands of the surgeon, as well as the hearts and minds of all those who will come in contact and care for us during our stay.  He has given us restful sleep before our “big day,” and has given us peace in our hearts and minds.  He even arranged for the perfect care for Savannah so that we could concentrate on the immediate needs of Elizabeth before we all come home to be together. 

I’m betting today you are not preparing to give birth to a child, but maybe to a dream.  Or maybe today, you are squashing fears that the enemy has used time and time again to try to stop you from living out the dream that the Lord has placed in you.  Whatever it is, God always goes before His people so that they may have life abundantly.  Trust in your God today.  Cry out to Him and ask for His provision and protection as you continue to make your way forward, remembering that war is not for the faint of heart but the armed.

Father, thank you that we never have to walk alone.  Thank you for sending Your Comforter and Counselor.  Thank you that you always go before us, preparing the way for us.  We love and trust you, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2014

When Do We Need Perseverance?

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12

When do we need perseverance?

 When there’s opposition.

When is there opposition?

Whenever God is about to do something great.

Perseverance is “the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings,” (blueletterbible.com).  That means when God has made us a promise to do something great in our lives, we must stand firm on His Truth, press deeper into His Word, and put on the full armor of God as never before.  When God makes a promise to us the enemy is also aware of it and he will stop at nothing to ensure God’s promises are not fulfilled in our lives.

What does opposition look like?  It’s anything from people’s words and attitudes to mountains of bills to attacks on your home and your health.  Opposition is tailored specifically for you by an enemy who has studied you a long time.  He knows what things still make you tick and what things you’ve already overcome.  Any area you’ve already overcome, he won’t bother you with because the enemy’s purpose is to defeat you as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.

But do not lose heart, because God says, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please…What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do,” (Isaiah 46:10-11).  God is on your side and wants nothing more than for you to succeed and have victory over the opposition you are facing.  And God knows we do and we will face opposition, which is why he prepares us in advance by sending us His Word and surrounding us with believers who will pray us through.  God knows that when we have victory over the opposition, when we persevere and do not give up, the praise and glory He receives is great.

Father God, many of us are facing great opposition today.  But as great as the opposition is, You are greater.  As strong and as hard as the battle, You are mightier.  Lord, Your Word promises that You will not allow the righteous—that’s us—to fall, but You will restore us.  Lord, as we press into You today, reveal to us the Truth or the promise that we need to succeed and overcome the opposition we face today.  Lord, as we read your promises, our faith and excitement grow as we move toward the great victory we will have over this opposition.  Lord, be with us today and reveal at least one new truth to us.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.