We fool ourselves sometimes, don’t we?
We created a nice, safe, manageable lives for ourselves. Our family. Our friends. And then something happens. An unexpected illness. I keep hearing about friends and acquaintances having their gall bladders removed. Or being diagnosed with cancer. Or maybe it’s an accident. Or even a natural disaster. Friends of mine had their house struck by lightening just a couple of weeks ago. How unexpected is that?
When we are faced with things like health problems, car accidents, family problems, we have to admit our control over our life is a pretense. More of a mental safety precaution than reality.
The one thing we can control? Our reactions to what we’re experiencing. We can guard our thoughts, which influence our actions and our words. What we think either makes us stronger … or weakens us.
“More than anything, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 CEB
In Your Words: How do you have power over your mind … and find strength?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”4U7Yr” via=”yes” ]In Others\’ Words: Be Mindful http://wp.me/p63waO-2nk #quotes #strength[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”leA8a” via=”yes” ]\”You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realize this, and you will find #strength.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2nk #lifequotes[/ctt]
Comments 5
Just to stay alive and in the game, I have to invent new reasons for living…and new ways to strengthen my morale…every day.
Death may take me, but I’m gonna give him the worst case of indigestion he’s ever experienced.
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🙂
Andrew, you are one of the strongest people I know. You model strength every day to so many people. And you also reminded me that a sense of humor is a component of strength.
Beth, thank you so much!
If you can’t laugh at death, where’s the point in dying?
I do like to try to control situations because I don’t want repeated situations of pain for me or others. When I’m in the valley it’s when I cry out for God to carry the burden. He was there just waiting for me all the time. He wants me to acknowledge Him and have faith that he will see me through this life.Then He lifts me up on his shoulders where I see hope and learn to lean not on my own understanding.
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Daphne: It’s a universal, human truth that we all like to control situations. And I think you’re so right that it’s often because we don’t want to repeat painful situations — or we don’t want others to be hurt. I love the visual you gave of Jesus, our Shepherd, lifting us up on His shoulders like a sheep.