Being Intentional requires self discipline and consistency. It is a decision we make everyday to do the right thing regardless of how we feel and it all starts in our minds.
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 8:6
Have you ever craved something but by the time you either prepared it or it was delivered, you no longer craved it? Maybe it took too long, it required too many steps or maybe you simply changed your mind and no longer felt like having it. Our feelings are fickle and ever changing but we cannot live by them or by emotions.Especially in our faith walk, feelings shouldn’t determine the course of our actions. Could you imagine if a surgeon didn’t feel like being a surgeon on the day of surgery? Or a pilot didn’t feel like flying the plane midair? Being led by feelings is just this dangerous.
Consider Peter when Jesus told him to walk on the water. He did it right up until the moment he lost his focus. When he saw the wind, fear and doubt set in and overtook him and all of a sudden the very thing he was already doing seemed impossible. Had he kept his eyes only on Jesus and not on his surroundings, he would’ve not doubted and began to sink.
A lot of times these feelings start with just a seemingly insignificant thought, but it is actually a seed planted by the enemy to make us shift our focus or lose interest in hopes of making us give up.
One day you may feel like you know what you’re supposed to be doing and you have no doubts. Other days you might feel lost and question every decision you make. It’s as if you’re going around in circles.
Both times God and your calling remain the same.
There is always a battle going on in our minds but our faith walk requires we stay committed to keeping our eyes on Jesus at all times no matter what. Moreover, we have to do more than just believe and have faith.
2 Corinthians 10:5-6 tells us to cast down imaginations and to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. To take captive means kept in confinement or restraint, locked up and unable to escape. In order to do this we have to be conscious and mindful of our thoughts (or else what are we taking captive)? We also have to be mindful of our words and make sure the actions we take align with the word of God.
The bible says in Romans 8:6 that The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
I want to encourage someone today. Whatever you’re worried about, give it to God, delight yourself in Him and he will take care of you. Make up your mind to do the right thing consistently, let your eyes look straight ahead and decide to stay focused on Him.
May we be intentional and think good thoughts on purpose (Philippians 4:8). Let’s replace every lie from the enemy with the truth of God’s words.
Be encouraged!
© 2021 ~ Carmen Adolphus
