Sad – focus on God

Mad – focus on God

Worried – focus on God

Sick – focus on God

Tired – focus on God

Seriously. Mediate on Him. Redirect your thinking. He will show you what to do. He will comfort you. He will bring you unexplainable peace.

“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” – Psalm 16:8

You don’t know who needs to hear your story. Your testimony, as tattered and torn as it may be, could be the catalyst that ignites the change in someone else’s life.

Our past mistakes [sins] are often associated with shame, negative thoughts, and guilt. However, if you look in the Bible God often uses these exact type of stories to minister to the multitudes.

Guys, the hardest thing in the world to overcome is pride – admitting we are jaded, that we are broken. Nonetheless, the struggles and sins that ripped us apart are in fact the trials and tribulations that built us.

I’m not saying to brag about past wrongdoings because sin isn’t cool. I am saying that we should use our past mistakes to help others get a glimpse of the fiery furnace that God pulled us out of.

Let’s flip the script. Let us boldly proclaim what God has done in our life.
If we don’t tell our stories, how will others — who are struggling with the exact same temptations and guilt — ever know that there is hope and restoration?

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,” – 2 Timothy 1:8

This morning you may feel like everyone in your whole world is against you, and they currently just may be. If you are feeling like it’s you against the world please hold on to this truth – God is for you, and He is all you need by your side.
He is your provider.

He is your best friend.

He is your father.

He is your forgiver.

He is your healer.

He is your advice giver.

He is your teacher.

Seek Him. Listen to Him. Thank Him. And don’t forget that He loves you. He will always be here for you.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Being the bigger person isn’t fun, and it certainly isn’t easy. When someone wrongs us our human flesh tends to puff up and lash out, but that’s not the example that Jesus set.
 
Jesus was humble, man. 

Being humble, holding your tongue, pushing your pride to the back, those things aren’t for the faint of heart. Accomplishing those things can only be done by the power of Jesus living in your heart, and you know that’s the truth. 
I am so thankful that when I am so very weak, that when I want to lash out, twist off, and show my backside I can call out to Jesus. He can unruffle my feathers, calm my heart rate, and hold my tongue. Thank God for that truth today. 

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

You are not what you used to be. 

Insecure

Uncertain

Joyless

Negative 

Jealous

Prideful 

You are a new woman – a new creation in Christ. God takes our ugly and makes it beautiful. Our shortcomings, our deficiencies, our faults – they don’t phase God. He can take them, change them, and use them to glorify His Kingdom. 
You are not who you used to be. Hallelujah. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Letting go is hard. Our human minds get so caught up in preconceived notions of how things should be – that we won’t let God be God. 

We have trust issues. No doubt. People have hurt us. Life has pelted us with all kinds of crazy scenarios. We get very set in what we think should happen. We try and control, even manipulate, situations. If we get right down to it, when we behave this way we are basically telling God that we really don’t trust Him. We are taking away His chance to show up and show off. 

Whatever situation you are in today that is soaking up every ounce of your energy, every ounce of your time, every ounce of your peace of mind — let go. Really let go. Give it to God today. And remember, no take backs. 

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies head, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14

When you think your past sins are too big to be forgiven you need to remember this – nothing is bigger than my God. Certainly not any sin.
 
God will forgive you, but you have to forgive yourself. And when you do forgive yourself, use your story to help someone else out. Use your story to show how God can pull anyone out of the miry clay, spray them off, and use the beauty of their situation to reach a lost and dying world.
 
God’s bigger than your sin. He proved that on the cross. You just have to believe it. 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 

Worry. Little made up scenarios that develop in our minds. Scenes that most likely will never even happen, but they sure do get us, and our blood pressure, all worked up.

God doesn’t want us living like that, guys. You know who does though? The devil.

Because…

When we are worrying – we are not praying. When we are worrying – we are not trusting. When we are worrying – we are not serving.

Next time worry tries to creep in and take over start praying. Start singing. Start worshipping. You can even start running – as long as you are running to God. Whatever you do, DON’T let worry win.

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” -Psalm 55:22

You will always be judged.

The way you parent. The way you wife. The way you do your job. What your wear. Your hair. I know – it’s exhausting.

The best thing that we can do — is do the best that we can do. Don’t worry about how others perceive your performance. Just focus on doing the best that you can do for Jesus. He is the ultimate and only judge.

He knows your heart. He knows your intentions. He knows you’re trying.
And while we are trying to overcome the pressures of measuring up to that perfect Pinterest woman – let’s extend grace to all the other females surrounding us. Instead of throwing shade at others, let’s choose to add a little sunshine to their day. Let’s choose compassion.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;” – Luke 6:37

Grace. When your kid breaks your favorite plate. 
Grace. When your husband eats the last brownie you had stashed away. 
Grace. When someone misses the deadline you set. 
Grace. When that car cuts you off. 
Grace. When someone hurts your feelings. 

Grace. When you slip up – again and again. And God forgives you – again and again.
 
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6