I've been thinking a lot lately of the things that make up my character, temperament and who I am as a whole. What are the things that influence me the most? Who are the people that influence me and what makes me fly off the handle without a moments notice? hmmmmm....ouch!
Although it's easier said than done, I'm trying to learn how to control my tongue before it controls me.
They say there are a few things that can't be taken back, like time after it is spent, or words after they are spoken.
I'm trying to live this and be more intentional. But lately I can't escape the feeling that I'm playing whac-a-mole for my soul! Seriously, there are moments that I feel those ugly character traits (...anger, envy, bitterness...) trying to creep up and fill my heart with ugly things (& lies!) and I'm fighting with everything that I've got just trying to beat those little things down and not let them come back up again. Thanking God for every victory and the fact that I can at least recognize the things that are after my heart. I've been reading a book about the 7 deadly sins....pride, envy, lust, sloth, greed, gluttony & anger. Can I just tell you that I have never been so aware of what I DO NOT WANT TO BE?! I find myself praying so hard to shield myself from the sins that so easily entangle us! Thank God that we can pray His word and it becomes a shield around us.
Has anyone else felt like this lately??
Hold on. Keep fighting. It's not over. There's hope still.
These are the scriptures that God has been putting in my heart lately to fight this good fight and keep moving forward:
Hebrews 12: 1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..."
2 Timothy 2:13 "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
The thing is, that, if we really reflect on the 7 deadly sins we can easily see that we all struggle with them, even in the most minute ways...it scares me to stare the truth in the face because, of course, I'd like to say "No way, I'm stronger than that" but if we are I am really being honest those stinky little sins are always fighting to rise up and take root within me. No...no....no! I will fight to get these stomped down and I'll continue to play WHAC-A-MOLE within my soul in order to fight those little things until there isn't a trace left. Know what I mean?
Be encouraged because Christ overcame the world and all this. So that means WE CAN do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength. (Phil 4:13)
Here's a little something I wrote a while back in reflection of these things:
What causes some to be so unkind, oblivious to the messes they leave behind?
Years of living as if they were blind, unaware of the strife they easily find.
Excuse me while I cleanse my mind with God's Word.
I'm losing myself in the messages of old, being freed of the weight of this world.
Truth be told we never stop fighting,
not until the moment that we are with the King in all His glory,and this existence is but a story.
A tale of a life once lived and the past is left to remind.
Thanking God for His patience with us and His grace that surrounds us.
Thanks for letting me share.....Let Him work on your inside today.
Love!
