by Charles R. Swindoll
Psalm 1:1-6
The essential question isn't difficult to state: How can I, a person who has absorbed so many years of mediocre thinking, change? How can I, like a caterpillar, move from squirming in the dirt to enjoying the sweet nectar in God's creation? As in the caterpillar's case, a radical metamorphosis must occur. It is a process that will be difficult, demanding, and lengthy---but, oh, how sweet the results! If you are really serious about conquering mediocrity (which, remember, starts in the mind), then I have three words to offer---memorize, personalize, and analyze.
Memorize. In order for old defeating thoughts to be invaded, conquered, and replaced by new, victorious ones, a process of reconstruction must transpire. The best place I know to begin this process of mental cleansing is with the all-important discipline of memorizing Scripture. I realize it doesn't sound very sophisticated or intellectual, but God's Book is full of powerful ammunition! And dislodging negative and demoralizing thoughts requires aggressive action. I sometimes refer to it as a mental assault.
Personalize. Here's where the excitement intensifies. As you begin the process of replacing old, negative thoughts with new and encouraging ones, put yourself into the pages of the Bible. Use I, me, my, mine as you come across meaningful statements.
Analyze. Instead of continuing to tell yourself you are little more than a helpless victim, take charge! As soon as you catch yourself responding negatively or defensively, think---analyze the situation. Then ask yourself a few tough questions. "Why am I getting so hot and bothered by this?" Or "Is there something I'm afraid of?" Or, maybe, "Am I reacting negatively because I have a reason or simply because I've formed some bad habits?"
Maybe the challenge to memorize, personalize, and analyze seems too simplistic to you. Perhaps you expected something else. You really expected some high-powered "secret" to success. No, I have no quick'n easy secret, no overnight-success pill you can take. Perhaps the best single-word picture is visualize. Mentally visualize being on a higher plane. Then once you "see it," begin to believe it and behave like it!
Reprinted by permission. Day by Day, Charles Swindoll, July 2005, Thomas Nelson, inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Purchase "Day by Day" here.
12 comments:
The answer is no TRM, I have not started again to memorize Phil 2:1-11 yet. What I can tell you all, is with out a doubt, one of the times I am closest to Christ is when I am memorizing scripture. I also think that my walk is straighter as I have ammunition for temptation locked and loaded. Lets get started today. I am going to print it and put it in my pocket. Here is a link directly to the verse for those interested - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil%202:1-11;&version=31;
blessings,
cas
Calling me out on a tough discipline again..??.. :-)
My mom was a scripture warrior. As she fought cancer for 26 years, God's Word was her one and only crutch. I am certain that not only did she live more peacefully, but she also lived longer because of the scripture she knew.
I was telling my wife last night that the current economic environment is putting such pressure on me. I have to try to predict the effects in my business and be correct about orders and sales in a crazy market, but at the same time I don't want to predict a down market, because then I am under pressure because my numbers would be down. My wife's response? "Are you in scripture everyday?" Then, this post comes along.
I guess I know what the Lord wants me to do. EVERYONE is SOOOOO negative right now. There are 300 million scared and negative Americans. I think it is my patriotic duty and even more so my duty as a Christian to remain positive.
The foundation for this clearly needs to be scripture.
I'm sorry guys but this one doesn't do it for me. I absoluting dislike memorizing lines/tidbits even if it's from the Bible. I would prefer to dig deeper and understand what causes those lines...the true element in our faith.
Reading the scripture daily is something that I really need to do. But it is a tough challenge that I often find myself losing.
Lord, give me the discipline to read your word daily.
amen,
LT
Iceman, you don't have a choice. It is not a question of whether or not it does it for you. You have to have Christ's word available to you in order to build a firm foundation. Not just general concepts. Sounds like lazy mans disease :o)
cas, I've got your back during my prayer time each morning, I'm just not too great at posting all the time. BTW, I'm teaching a John Piper class - Don't Waste Your Life - starting in two weeks. I'll forward some notes to you as it progresses. Maybe they could be useful as posts...
recently i told someone in my bible study about how it is "hard" to be a christian, to read, to try and walk the walk, etc.
his reponse was - it's like training for a race or working out. it isnt easy. it is hard. you dont always feel like it. but if you want to run the race and make it to the finish line, yuo must train. you may not like it but you do it. and then over time, it gets to be part of who you are. and you even find joy in it.
this is kind of how i am with scripture.
wow- good thread. Like cas, I find myself closest when I'm memorizing scripture. It's kind of like a comforting blanket when negative things occur in life. You turn to your memorized scripture, and that's how you deal with the situation. Think about it, you're going to react in some form or another. Either it can be a negative, guttural response, something that prolongs the negativity, or it can be God's word....
choice seems easy, the training as trd put it, is hard.
Very timely message for me as well. If I remember that God 'SPOKE' the universe into existence then it stands to reason that I should draw from that same power to get me through the Negativity of my surroundings, or the strength to be obedient to God in a hostile environment, and/or the courage to share the Truth of God's message...
JMB, I'm right there with you...I feel like running with the herd of negativity but I must remain objective and positive for the long run as it pertains to my clients and their success.
LRT, I echo your prayer about daily feeding on the bread...
TRD, when I train my body I sometimes dread the execution of the exercise but I like the results...Let's be honest it's a sacrifice of our time and our energy away from ourselves and focusing on Christ's purpose.
So, this is a thread blog or blog thread! I'm new to the blog-gig. Best so far IMHO.
I'm on vacation but woke up this morning with a strong desire to renew my committment to being in the word daily. Pray that I would be endure in that effort.
g
By the way, I was just at Epcot. We went through a Siemens exhibit there and I was amazed at the work ahead of us. We have a bright future ahead of us and a lot of work to do to get there. I am pumped about what our future holds on this planet until the time of His returning. I wish the media would show some of these new technologies more. I think the stock market would jump 2500 points in one day.
Post a Comment