Are You Willing to Keep Your Eyes On the Horizon?

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” ~~ Colossians 3:3 ESV

Let’s Examine His Truth for Our Lives ...

How many times a day do you either worry, have some type of anxiety, or seem to be overrun by fear? Have you ever asked yourself who is it that sits on the throne of your heart?  Who competes for your eyes? Do you allow your feelings to override your faith?  Do you believe that these types of  thoughts may lead to physical illnesses like exhaustion, stomach aches, headaches, and insomnia? Have you considered who or what controls your thoughts and emotions?  Are you ready to make the choice to let faith reign over fear?  

Fear, Worry, and Anxiety Can Derail Your Purpose in Life …

Over the course of my young adulthood, fear had consumed my being, manifesting itself both internally and externally. I was plagued with an eating disorder, afraid, and "control" was my friend.  My true fear was that I would not be heard, liked, or accepted. These fears dominated my thought life and consumed my world for many years. Why? Because actually it was I who sat on the throne of my life, not Jesus Christ. I sought to control events and even other people, at times. The pattern of habitual and evil thoughts initiated destructive actions and behaviors that affected not only others’ lives, but my own life as well.

My Testimony …

One day, I realized that I was locked inside a prison of my own making. Nothing went right. These negative heart values manifested themselves both internally and externally. Once the light came on inside, however, I became horribly aware that my life was controlled by fear and not at all by faith.  Can you relate? Has fear crippled and kept you from fully experiencing the Father’s unconditional love for you?

What Does It Mean to Have Faith? …

Reigning Grace Counseling Center’s definition of faith is:

“Faith is the knowledge of God’s character, the belief that He’s able to do all that He’s promised, and the trust to follow Him wherever he leads.”

Over the years, as I have journeyed with the Lord, He has been faithful to burn out so many fleshly desires from my heart. As I have meditated upon the Bible, He has shown me Bible characters who also struggled with fear and anxiety. Sarah (Abraham’s wife), for example is one. She was afraid that God could not fulfill His promise that she would have a son in her old age.  Yet she did have a son! Because God is faithful to His Word.

Have You Ever Doubted God? …

Have you ever been afraid that God would not fulfill a promise to you? Have you doubted Him at His Word?

I made the choice to become still and completely honest with both Him and myself. When I did that, He revealed through His Word and prayer why I had put fear and control over my faith. The war that raged and resulted in the tension between my spirit and my flesh was all rooted in my thoughts, desires, and belief systems. It was a false belief I had held that God could not be trusted with my life, or my future. Fear and control had been idols in my heart.  Do you have idols in the place where God should reign?

Today, I focus on the solution, and on sharing my faith with others. Daily I work on my thought life to surrender to the Lord and His perfect way rather than to succumb and surrender to my prison. I desperately want and need His freedom over my prison! Fear, anxiety, and worry keep us from fully experiencing His Love, mercy, and grace. When I allow fear to reign, He reminds me of His sovereignty and goodness.

Now I Look to the Horizon; Now I See the Light! …

I trust Him and take Him at His Word, for He is faithful and true.  Now there is no room for fear because I focus upon His face in faith.  I choose to relinquish control, surrender and make the choice to trust Him.

Romans 15:4 ESV says, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”

Just like with Sarah who received her promise on His time and His way, she had to trust the Lord God. And He delivered on His promise.

Are You Willing?

Are you willing to seek the Lord with your thoughts, desires, and actions - to lay down your fear, worry, and anxiety? Do you have a heart’s desire to replace any negative emotions you may be feeling with His truth, and allow His love to pervade your being? We must make the choice to become doers of His Word, resting our thoughts, desires, and beliefs in Him. He must be King over our hearts!

Finally …

Every day now, I intentionally commune with Him through prayer and worship. I put Him first. I receive His grace for this day!

Let us all yield our hearts to Him and become sensitive to the Holy Spirit, rejoicing and being thankful for ALL things. For He is Lord!

Pray With Me …

Father, I need You every second of the day to replace negative thoughts that have enslaved me to an internal, hellish prison - replacing them with Your goodness and grace. Lord, Your holy nature is one that is kind and gentle. Remind me of the joy of my salvation! Lead me to a heart that is fulfilled with worship, praise, and thanksgiving! Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Reinforcing Scripture Passages ...

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” ~~ Colossians 3:3 ESV

“Put to death what is earthly in you, sexual immorality, impurity, passion evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On the account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” ~~  Colossians 3:5-12. (ESV)

-Elizabeth Bowman