Thankful Thursday: Choose Life

It's Thursday and I'm thankful because I choose life.

The Word of God says: "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." ~ Deuteronomy 30:19, New International Version (NIV)

We live in a broken world filled with heartache, sorrow, and pain. But in the midst of it all, we have a Risen Savior Jesus Christ and He wants us to "choose life".

Lately, it's been on my mind. More than ever I realize whenever I allow myself to reflect on negative experiences, situations or words said to me, I am in essence NOT choosing life. When I allow those discouraging thoughts to dominate my mind, I am essentially choosing death. The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue which is a good reason to only speak kind, life-affirming words to everyone you interact with but that's another devotional for another day.

More than ever, I am encouraged to capture those negative experiences and words said and submit it to God then ask Him to help me renew my mind (Romans 12:2) so that I may actively choose life over every situation life puts me in. When my mind is taking a negative dip, I have to focus on the Word of God, meditate on His Truth and not allow myself to sink deep into despair. I must choose life so that I may live, just like God tells us to in Deuteronomy 30:19.

God knows that our thoughts steer our actions which is why I believe He tells us to "choose life" so that we "may live." If you're deep in despair, don't be afraid to ask for help. God works through people to help you. Here are a few helpful resources that are accessible in the United States of America:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

K-LOVE Pastors are available to speak with you, listen to you, and pray for you. Call this number 1-800-525-5683 and visit their radio station's website, http://www.klove.com/ministry/prayer/

In closing, I'd like to share this song with you called "Choose Life":

Ready for a BREAKTHROUGH? Watch this...

The Voice of Truth

It’s been one of those days.

I got at least 8 hours of sleep but woke up tired.

Mentally drained.

I stretched for at least 5 minutes in effort to rev up my circulation and my mind—I had a lot of important duties ahead of me today.

After 10 minutes of “waking up,” I pulled myself out of bed and placed my two feet flat on the floor.

I looked out my window and smiled, wanting the bright sunshine to heal my hurting head.

My head hurt with all of the negativity…from every harsh word ever spoken to or by me, any criticism hurled at me, every memory that wasn’t exactly beautiful flashed across the movie screen of my mind.

Trying to let go of this unhealthy dose of negativity I was feeling so early in the morning, I pulled myself together and went on about taking care of business.

Five hours later, I’d accomplished half of my laundry list of things-to-do. I took a break to go for a drive and get fresh air.

Two hours and several errands later, I returned home feeling refreshed…but only for a moment.

As I went about completing the remaining items on my laundry list, negative thoughts and memories began to play in my mind. Tired of fighting the negativity, I began to explore this deep mental mire…proving in my head why all the negative memories were exactly right and how I wasn’t being paranoid and that my perspective is on-point, not at all skewed. In the midst of my being “in the dumps,” I started singing a song. At first, I didn’t realize that I had started singing because I was busy taking care of items on my laundry list and dwelling on negative thoughts. About 30 seconds into the singing, it occurred to me what I was singing—the words to the song, Voice of Truth, performed by the Christian music group Casting Crowns. The lyrics speak on the Bible story of David (a shepherd boy) standing up to Goliath (a real-life giant). The song talks about how the giant taunted David without mercy, telling David that he will never win. But the Voice of Truth told David a different story, told him not to be afraid, promised David that the outcome of this great fight would be for God's glory. David chose to ignore Goliath's taunting and to listen to the Voice of Truth and because of that decision, David was able to slay Goliath with simply a sling and a stone. 

An excerpt of the lyrics from about the middle verses of the song were the very ones leaving my lips and soothing my soul through the sound that rested in my ears.

Suddenly, I realized that in the midst of my issues, God was speaking.

He was speaking to me through the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, a song I’d forgotten about and hadn’t sung in at least 2 years.

It brought a smile to my face and happiness to my heart to realize how God can use anything to remind you of His love for you.

While I have not heard God’s voice directly speaking to me, it’s the beauty in cases like today that I hear His heart.

And for the first time today, I listened.

I finally found myself being still and knowing that God is GOD.

And realizing that even when God is silent, He’s still there, right by your side, encouraging your heart, uplifting your spirit and sustaining your soul…ultimately giving you the courage to press on.

Negativity is one of the enemy’s attacks directed to us as humans, a flaming arrow that sears the soul.

The Bible makes it clear that we are in a spiritual warfare. That’s exactly why we are advised by God’s Word to “take up the shield of faith”. Why? Because with a strong faith in God, we can “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16, NIV).

At the end of the day, I have learned that when negativity assails me, I need to take up my shield of faith and recall the words spoken by the Voice of Truth who says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

JESUS is The Voice of Truth.

~*~

Original song by Casting Crowns, “Voice of Truth”: