Girl...Check Your Mind
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 Are you kidding me????? One day, I found myself slipping into some good ol’ fashioned stinkin’-thinkin’. You know the drill: an unexpected urgent care bill shows up, and your washing machine goes on strike—leaving you with a mountain of dirty laundry and zero motivation. The longer I sat in that funk, the heavier everything started to feel. Suddenly, I was stewing over the three pounds I lost... and promptly found again, the neighbor who moved in across the street with chimpanzees for children (Heavenly Father, forgive me—but You see them too), and the patch of gray peeking out from under my trusty black Jheri curl wig. I confess—by that point, I was fully camped out in the pit of despair. (Okay, maybe I was being a little dramatic... but hey, some days my halo is on backward.) But then—miraculously—I felt a check in my spirit from the Holy Spirit. You know, like a spiritual thunk on the head. And instantly, He asked me, “Why are you letting the enemy steal from you?” (Full disclosure: His tone was actually a little harsher than that—but I figured some of y’all were already clutching your pearls just because I said the Holy Spirit asked me a question. So no, you’re probably not ready for the full fire-and-brimstone version of His query. But I digress.) That question stopped me in my tracks. I started thinking about what I’d been thinking about, and just like that, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of Philippians 4:8: “Whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report… think on these things.” There’s a reason the Holy Spirit reminded me to think about what I was actually thinking about. He wanted me to recognize that when I get caught in a downward spiral of negative thinking, I lose focus—on who God is and all the amazing gifts He’s already given His children. Scripture makes it plain in John 10:10: It’s the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And girl, his goal is to rob me blind—of peace, purpose, joy, and every good thing God has planned for my life. I’ve had the blessing of ministering to hundreds of women—especially in the area of encouragement—through teaching, Bible study, coaching, and counseling. It’s absolutely what I was created to do. So isn’t it just like old slew-foot to constantly attack me in the very area I’m called to pour out? Staying encouraged myself is a daily battle! I’m always fighting to keep my mind focused and my spirit uplifted. That’s why—for me—reading Scripture isn’t optional. It’s survival. No joke, if I don’t fill my mind with the promises of God on a regular basis, I’ll be out here singing, “Gloom, despair, and agony on me!” like I’m starring in a spiritual soap opera. 😩📖💁🏾♀️ Yes, I know—it stinks feeling like we’re always in a fight. And sometimes I really do wonder, When will this ever end? But here’s what I know: at the end of every battle, I can look back and boldly declare, “Once again, devil… you got punked.” (Aka: defeated. Demolished. Dragged.) And the sheer joy of knowing that God fought the battle— but I get to walk in the victory? Oh yes, it makes the fight worth it every single time!
