Ready for a Change?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwX1f2gYKZ4&list=RDKwX1f2gYKZ4&start_radio=1

Graves into Gardens ~ Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake

 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgement and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

 

Recently, I’ve been trying to push myself to form some new habits. Mainly, I’ve been trying to be as brave as my friends and relatives who walk (and run) during winter…outside… I’ve always hated being cold, but I also hate feeling trapped inside my house all winter. I conferred with the winter-runners and asked how to do this outside-cold-thing. After getting some tips, I realized the only other thing holding me back was…me. So last Thursday, I took myself for a 5-mile walk in the beautiful winter wonderland that God has given us.

 

One of the many promises from God is that He’s given us a spirit of sound judgement and personal discipline. The precursor to any action is a thought. If I continue to tell myself that I hate winter and the cold, then my only option is being stuck inside for 3 to 5 months each year. That doesn’t sound fun or healthy. On the other hand, as I choose better thoughts, I will choose better actions, which will become healthier and more beneficial habits.

 

At this time of year, most people are making New Year’s resolutions. What change do you want to see happen in your life? What goal do you want to achieve this year? It all starts with our thoughts. Let’s make 2021 the year that we exercise the spirit of sound judgement and personal discipline and watch as our lives are transformed through the renewing of our minds.

 

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. ~ Romans 12:2 AMP

©Heather Potts 2021

Makin' Plans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr8OfXrQ9UE

Be Still ~ Red Rocks Worship

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. ~ Proverbs 16:9 NLT

I enjoy New Year's Resolutions, Vision Boards, and making plans. If there's one thing the past decade has taught me, though, it's to be pressed into God to ensure that my plans are His.

My initial plans didn't include moving to Florida. My secondary plans didn't include returning. God had other plans. 

Our plans were never for me to work when either of our girls were little. God had other plans.

Our plans didn't include hardships, hurts, sicknesses, or losses. With a word, God could have caused us to bypass all of it, versus grow through it. While God didn't cause the hurt, His desire is for us to grow in and closer to Him. I guess our plans didn't include real growth. Fortunately, God had other plans.

God has surrounded us with many wise people. He encourages us to walk with, learn from, and even share our stories with them. It's through the sharing of our lives that our faith is strengthened and stretched, causing us to grow. 

God has many wonderful things He wants to share with us. As we envision dreams, make plans, and set goals, let's be sure make room for God's plans, even if it means laying down our own, remembering that the best course for our lives is His.

©Heather Potts 2020

Decluttering

Strip yourselves of your former nature…And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature… created in God’s image…in true righteousness and holiness…rejecting all falsity ~ Ephesians 4:22-25 AMP

Physics teaches that two objects cannot occupy the same space simultaneously, trying to do so creates clutter.  Within the past few months, I’ve started decluttering both my home and my mind. When I’ve tried in the past, the change never seemed to stick and everything always reverted back to former ways.

Whether it’s our homes or our minds, we can’t have two things occupy the same space at the same time.  BUT we can replace one thing with another. 1 Corinthians 2:16 reminds us that we have the clear, concise, and creative mind of Christ, guided by His thoughts and purposes.  This is not an overnight process.  It’s a daily walk, and some days are harder than others.  It took me 21 days just to reach the point that I was ready to begin.  At 28 days, I finally got butt-naked honest with God.  And His response: Now we can begin.  After 64 days, the change that was taking place in my mind, also began revealing itself in my body and my house.  I was running 3 days a week, building stronger muscles and overall health and fitness.  I’ve cleared out clothes that don’t fit or I haven’t worn in over a year. I’ve also cleared the clutter in “my space,” creating for myself a place to write and have God-time.

After 117 days, I’m still moving forward, as it’s a daily walk taking my thoughts captive and keeping spaces clutter-free. But each day I remember that I have cast off the rags that weighed me down. And every day I praise the Lord, “for He has…covered me with the robe of righteousness, (Isaiah 61:10 AMP). 

Whatever has been taking up space in your life and mind, remember you can’t just “add to” whatever is already there without creating clutter.  Galatians 2:19-20 says we have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. Allow Christ to replace the old with the new!

©Heather Potts 2016