Don't Allow Your Own Mind To Be Your Biggest Stumbling Block

There are so many things pulling at us throughout our day, our week and our life. Some things require our attention, and some things just want our attention. It is very important to know the difference between the two. Some things are building up your life and some things want to either hold you where you are....or take you in the wrong direction. The best way to always know the difference is to allow God to direct you...even in your thoughts. When you begin to direct yourself and allow your own mind (or flesh) to make decisions without involving God, you have entered into a very dangerous place. And one of the things the enemy does to us the most is to use our own minds against us, and then use our pride, or stubbornness, or even fleshly desires to justify those thoughts and choices.
Nothing breaks my heart worse then ministering to someone who just flat out refuses to see the truth. God could be standing in front of them waving a huge flag to get their attention, but in their own mind they will be questioning if God is real, or questioning His love for them, or questioning if they can trust Him. It's so hard to see too....it really breaks my heart. Their heart will believe everything God's Word says about who He is, who Jesus is, all that Jesus did for them....but then their next sentence will be something like "but I'm just not sure if I trust the places God wants to take me, or the things He is asking me to do. I'm just need more from Him before I'm ready to go "all in" for Him". I know a few times when I've been ministering to people, and I've heard statements like this, my jaw has hit the floor. I have literally said "so Jesus dying for you was not enough...you need more?". I know that might have sounded a little harsh in the moment, but it was the only words I could muster up at that time. I just couldn't imagine standing before God some day and saying "I know You gave Your son for me, and You tried to guide and direct every foot step I took...but couldn't You have done something a little bigger for me to really show Yourself?". But I literally meet people everyday who feel like God owes them something. Where does this thought come from? It comes from a mind that is being bombarded by thoughts from the enemy. The enemy has done his best to convince the world that IF there was a God, He would do more for you. He would not allow the suffering that goes on....and He certainly wouldn't allow you to suffer. And isn't that just like satan, the one who causes heartache and trouble, to then turn and say "where's your God now?". And it is in that moment where we must battle the thoughts of doubt and come to the realization that we live in a very lost and corrupted world, and the things that go on in it are not a reflection of who God is....but the good that can still be found in this corrupt place IS. The mere fact that God can still change the heart of men and women who live in this corrupt place, and create good out of negative and bad situations, is amazing!
The enemy battles for a place in our mind. If he can get us to think it, then there is a good chance that he can get us to do it....and he knows that. Battle him back for your thoughts by calling on Jesus, not rejecting Him. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says "We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ." YOU have the power to call every thought that runs through your mind to be obedient to Jesus. And just us having that knowledge sends fear through the enemy's camp. Of course it is a choice. God will allow you to act on your own free will right up until the moment you take your last breath. Then from that moment on free will no longer exists. Judgement for your choices, actions and thoughts will be the very next thing you face. And I don't know about you, but I want to be able to stand before Him and KNOW that from the moment I came into a relationship with Him I stopped playing games and I surrendered my thoughts, my choices and my actions to Him. And I chased after His good and perfect will for my life.
As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of the Lord is proven true. He is a covering to all who go to Him to be safe. “For who is God, but the Lord? Who is a Rock, except our God? God is my strong place. He has made my way safe. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He sets me safe on high places. 2 Samuel 22:31-34

God, thank You that Your ways and Your thoughts are perfect. Holy Spirit help us battle the thoughts that the world and the enemy tries to put in us and KNOW that when we submit it all to You, You will help us and see us through to the end. In Jesus name, Amen