Who Influences Your Thinking?

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

Sometimes we are our own worst critics. It’s easy to believe that who we are, what we do, and what we say doesn't matter. It’s easy to compare ourselves with everyone else on Facebook or our circle of influence and feel we come up short, don’t measure up, and are less than. It’s easy to count our mistakes and trials rather than our blessings. Left to our own thoughts, it’s a wonder any of us can have a good, productive day. But the Word of God paints a different picture!

It Is Written

PROVERBS 28:18 The righteous are bold as a lion.

Who We Are

Where do we get our beliefs, and how’s your method working for you? Scripture says that in Christ I am a child of God (Romans 8:16), redeemed from the hand of the enemy (Psalm 107:2), forgiven (Colossians 1:13-14), saved by Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2:8), righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24), justified (just as if I never sinned) (Romans 5:1), sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11), a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), a partaker of His Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:4), delivered from the powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13), led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3), the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), the light of the and I can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13). That is a far different view from the physical image in the mirror.

Prayer

Lord, I do not want to live believing demeaning things about myself or others rather than what You say about us. Forgive us. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom and salvation. Help us to live for what He died for. Help us renew our mind with Your life-giving words. Help us recognize our worth to You and our place in this world. Help us to be thermostats that set the atmosphere around us, not a thermometer that merely responds to life and circumstances. We are children of the Most High God, given Your power and authority. Help us walk in a manner worthy of You.

Takeaway

We choose what I believe.