I woke up grumpy Sunday. I don’t know why, but I was grumpy and complaining to myself. I got ready for church and headed out the door, whining and complaining the whole time, realized I had locked Gabi’s car fob in the house, so I had to unlock the door and go back in. I was running late, but finally got headed to the church building. Both lanes were blocked in front of me by people driving ten MPH under the speed limit. I used to tell slow drivers, rather loudly, that the little skinny pedal under their right foot makes them go. The Lord has been working with me on this, and I switched to whistling the Andy Griffith tune whenever I would get upset. On this particular day, I chose to ask Holy Spirit to help me arrest my mind. I was stuck in an unholy headlock of non-Christlike thoughts and was struggling to snap out of it.
I said to Him, “Lord, I’m so sorry You have had to listen to my whining. I don’t want to do that and I need your help. Lord, I submit to You. If there is anyone needing a touch or word from You, show me and give me the words to say to them. I am letting You flow through me. I love You and thank You so much for Your help. I couldn’t do this without You.”
The above Scripture says we need to take our minds prisoner to the obedience of The Messiah. Why is this so important? Galatians 5:1 tells us to stand in the liberty of freedom that Christ has given us and don’t put yourself in bondage. (My paraphrase.) Proverbs 22:25 tells us that anger is a snare, a trap, a prison. Philippians 2:14 says to do everything without complaining and without division. When we are us minded, we cannot see as the Lord sees. We’re in our own little headlock created by us.
When I arrived at the church building, there were three someone’s that needed a touch, a word, and a hug from the Lord. Guys, if we’re all wrapped up in ourselves, we render ourselves ineffectual. There are people all around us that need Him. They need to see Him in us guys. We’re His earthen vessels, made ministers according to the gift of the grace of God by the action of His power. See Ephesians 3:7.
Do you want to effectually minister to hurting people around you? I do. If you do, choose to turn to Him for help and then follow through. Ask Him to see the hearts of those around you needing help and for the words they need to hear. Let Him flow through you and love on people. Be available to Him. We’ve heard that the battle is in the mind. It’s so true! What are you thinking on? What are you upset about? May we always turn to our Savior as our Answer, in and through all circumstances. Hallelujah and amen.
THEREFORE, MY BRETHREN, BE STRENGTHENED IN OUR LORD AND IN THE FORCE OF HIS POWER. Ephesians 6:10