Passage of the Day:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 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. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do, James 1:2-8.
Reflection:
I spent the majority of my youth riding the highs and lows in life, emotionally unstable. I let my circumstances, current situation and daily events dictate my mood. I could lift an entire room up before dragging everyone around me to the depths of my depressed state. This was my version of living a double minded life, in desperate need of a steady mind.
Prayerful Action:
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:15-25
Renewing Your Mind:
When I have been at my weakest state mentally, I have sought out accountability partners to help restore me back where the Lord wanted me. When I was in college, I joined an accountability group with Christians who attended a three-day Chrysalis Weekend. Once a week we met a friend’s house off campus to hold each other accountability. Although some weeks were easily than others, developing a steady mind often requires intervention, tough love and a prayer warrior mentality.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 