Sunday, July 15, 2018

"Take a Second Look"


Reflections4Life July 15, 2018
“Take a Second Look”
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all.” Psalm 139:1-4 (NASB)
Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29, Zechariah 9, 2 Corinthians 10…
©Ruthe McDonald.

Have
 you ever looked over your life, wondering why some things continue to happen over and over again? Why the constant struggles? Why the same mistakes? Why, when you have repented, confessed, and asked for forgiveness and moved on?
It sometimes feels as though you are in a constant cycle. Everything starts to get better than at some point, the past is repeating itself, and you seem to be right back where you started or worse. Perhaps it’s time to take a second look. Second looks, at your heart, at the way you think, how you speak to yourself, what you believe, and who is in your circle.
I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow the love of God to fill your heart and open your eyes to that which you may have hidden within your soul, allowing it to cleanse you and free you from all negative strongholds and evil imaginations.
Our Inner Dialogue
Did you ever stop to think about your inner dialogue? What is it that you are saying to yourself on a daily basis? Many are not conscious of the fact that they are continually speaking negative things to themselves. Some have accepted the lies and whispers of the enemy, and those he uses, to become their truth.
It can be subtle. A thought here, a whisper there, but the negative thoughts never denounced. If we do not pull them down or reject them, those thoughts are cataloged; stored somewhere in our mental, where it takes root and begins to sprout bad fruit. The bad fruit is the way we now see ourselves, the things we get into, the habits we cannot let go of, the opinions we have of ourselves, and the garbage and abuse we accept from others.
Many of us are not even aware of this. We do not realize this about ourselves, especially when things may be going well for a while. It isn’t until we find ourselves in a familiar crisis that we question what is going on.
Our mindset, inner dialogue, and old baggage have much to do with our current situation and experiences. There are things in our lives that we must confront. There are also things that we may not even be aware of that are lingering in hearts and are a hindrance to the move of God in our lives.
We must take a second look and search ourselves; searching our hearts and be completely honest with ourselves. We must be willing to see and hear the truth and be ready to get rid of those negative strongholds.
The Circle We Keep
We cannot allow the opinions and thoughts of others to rule us. We cannot allow the hurt and pain inflicted by others to dictate our lives. We cannot allow resentment and un-forgiveness to reside within our hearts. These things obstruct our path. They muddy the road of righteousness. They can prevent us from breaking through those painful reoccurring.
Not everyone that may be in our circle is there for us. They may have a whole other agenda (Judas). The enemy will use whomever he can to infiltrate our hearts and minds; to discredit the will and work of God in our lives. Their words and whispers can become a stronghold, as they create dissension and disrupt the flow of our lives. Their grip and influence on our lives must be broken; even if that means allowing God to remove them. 
 
It is Time to Break Free
One of the saddest things I have witnessed and to learn is the apparent comfortability many have with the cycle. They have become attached and acclimated to the dysfunction, hurt, pain, and abuse. Worse, they believe the lies of the enemy over the truth of God.
Beloveds, the world goes by what is seen. The way of the world is far removed from God. If we are going to overcome, declare, and stand in our victory, then we must fight the way God says to fight. There is no self-medicating here. There is no easy way out of a messy mind or destructive pattern. It is a process.
When we come to God and believe in Him, He has worked all things out concerning us. He has forgiven and given us a clean slate. But deliverance is a process. A process by which we are becoming who God says we are, as we let go of the lies and the pain of what others have said concerning us, and our own mistakes. We must forgive ourselves and receive what God has.
I have learned throughout my life journey with the Lord that, what we do not willingly confront will continue to show up in different ways in our lives. It will continue to be a thorn, a stronghold, until we face the truth, confront it, deal with it, and allow God truly to deliver us.
It is God’s Way or No Way
In order to break this cycle, to rid the mind and heart of the residue of afflictions by which God has already forgiven us of, things must be done God’s way. We must confess daily, what the Father says, and change the dialogue about yourself. We must search your hearts daily becoming mindful of our thoughts and attitude; willing to let go of some people, places, and things.
One of the hardest things, however, will be confronting our truth. It will be like looking into a mirror, bare before the Lord, and seeing every weakness, flaw, imperfection, and giving it all to God, and then seeing yourself through His eyes.
This is a fight that must be fought in the strength and wisdom of God. We must use spiritual weapons, and know that whatever God has spoken concerning us, it is the truth.
My Beloveds, May the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. There is nothing too hard or difficult for God our Father. God will do just what He said. We must be willing to do what He has called of us. There are no shortcuts to deliverance. A process requires us to see the truth, accept the truth, and become the truth. In God is, healing, deliverance, freedom, peace, and love everlasting. It’s time to break the cycle, pull down those negative strongholds, and let the mind of Christ dwell in you richly! You are blessed. Now go…and be a Blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

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