Truth Over Mind AND Matter

We didn't choose to live in a world filled with anxiety, depression, and mental illnesses at an all time high. We are a direct result of having "too much" and one of the hardest things to do now is live simple in every facet of our lives.

We are taking on too much, saying no rarely ever, and feeling so guilty to do what is best for our mental, physical, and emotional health. I know that I have some dreams and goals, but now more than ever in my life, they really do just feel like dreams. At once I believed that I could do anything that I wanted- if I could just make the first step. These days I feel emotionally exhausted all the time, paralyzed on the couch to do what needs to get done (working out, cleaning, work prep), and having to mentally prepare myself when I have to go somewhere and be social. But WHY? Do you feel like this too? How has it become just a fight to live.

I know that I'm not the only one! I know there are so many factors that contribute to these feelings for myself. For example there is work stress, not getting enough sleep/eating well, planning a wedding (aka not having time for hobbies/emotional outlets), anxiety about the future and being prepared- and so many other points. But I don't want to let these things get in the way of living the life I have and missing out on what God has in store for me. And you shouldn't either! Let's take back our lives and refocus what gives us life and a purpose. I know that this can sound all inspirational and "Okay Rainen this sounds good but you don't know my situation and how overwhelmed I really am." Yes- very true I do not! But I know I've been in the pits with depression, anxiety, letting culture decide how I feel and I just want to share a different perspective.

If you are a christian, and you love God and His word, then you can believe that he has pretty good plans for you. Unimaginable- even! You can understand that God has plans for you to prosper and not to harm you. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Prosper: Greek meaning is to“succeed in reaching” other words mean to be successful, to thrive, to flourish

This motivates me to CLING TO the truth when I start to believe lies about myself. When I get so bogged down with anxiety. When I am so depressed, grieving, or hit the bottom. I can pray and ask God to help me see myself as He sees me. This gives me hope when I feel like I have nothing good to bring to the table, when I don't believe that I am special or capable of doing the Lord's will for my life. A hope that if I seek God he will PROSPER my life. And I do trust that!

In this case, this is where I can use that Jeremiah 29:11 scripture to FIGHT against secular culture saying that "I know that God has plans to prosper me, NOT cause me anxiety, NOT cause me depression, NOT cause bad things to happen to me."

We are always told phrases like mind over matter, follow your heart, you do you, listen to your gut. But these are NOT biblical principles and will let you down every single time. We are human and sin, make mistakes, and mess up constantly. We don't know how to live a fulfilled life when we try to do it ourselves because we can't. It's nothing that we can do for ourselves! Jesus is the way the truth and the life- for reasons such as these. Let's transform these phrases with truth from God.

Let's switch out the common lies for some godly TRUTH over mind AND matter

Instead of Mind over Matter---> Work for the Lord.

​Don't let your mind have authority over your circumstances and success. This is how we end up striving for money, power, control, success, and ultimately losing sight of what’s important. You’re working for inheritance of the Lord not earthly possessions or desires.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if for the Lord not for humans. Colossians 3:23

Instead of Follow Your Heart---> Follow Jesus.

​The Bible says our hearts are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and we can't trust them. We are flawed and our hearts are not perfect like Jesus so we can't rely on our hearts to direct us.

To follow the will of the Lord, we have to deny our will for control. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

Instead of You Do You--------> God knows better than I do.

​God knows more about us and our desires than we do. He knows who we are because he created us.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways...As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways" Isaiah 55:8-9

Instead of Listen to Your Gut---> Listen to the Word

We have worldly influences when we're making decisions; time sensitive, dependent on other people, what is best for everyone else, money, relationships and so much more. So many things that just pose as roadblocks to making decisions for our life- how could we possibly listen to our gut when there are this many elements going against us? We need to turn to God!

1. Ask God for wisdom in making decisions. Fast on the decisions. Pray continuously for a few days or longer.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

2. Seek the Word. It's not just a book, it's not just an old book of Jesus stories. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It's how we get to know him, what he's like, how he loves us and has a plan for us.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

The only way to live and prosper in a secular world with secular views and pressures is to NOT live like the secular culture. Live according to Jesus and what he has planned for your life. He doesn't give as the world gives us, he gives us a purpose and life full of fulfillment.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

I encourage you to speak truth into your life daily! Combatting the devil's wicked attempts to distract you from God, to fight against cynicism of the world, and to fully rely on God's word as it is the sword you fight with. I leave scripture everywhere and recite this daily to put on the armor of God.

Here is my example: this is a scratch example of what's hanging on my bathroom mirror

xoxo

-R