Philippians 4:6-8 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. NLT
This scripture in Philippians has been a precious one to me over the years. As a young adult, I struggled to think about positive, true things. I fought battles late at night in my thoughts. I believed lies and acted upon them.
It took years. And many moments of repeating these verses over and over. Clinging to the truth that God loved me. That God was not angry with me. That God wanted me whole, healed. Time and time again I needed to remember my part. Dwelling in negative thoughts was not helpful or profitable. Sitting in the darkness is not God’s desire for any of us.
Now, years later I am thankful for the deliverance. Thankful for the long nights in darkness that brought me to the truth and light. Thankful I grew and matured through those long days and nights.
Although years have passed I still need those reminders. To fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. As a mom, daily I need to be reminded that I am not a failure. I make mistakes. I act in frustration and selfishness at times however God gives grace and forgiveness.
Many times my heart bows after a tussle between my 3-year-old and I. I say strong things or raise my voice. But every time I come to God and cry out. He hears me and He never condemns me.
I don’t need to beat myself up. I don’t need to put myself down. That is not going to help my girls either if I walk around as a defeated mommy.
Moms reading this today, I want you to know that you are not a failure. You have not messed everything up. There is grace and forgiveness always, as long as there is life. Hold onto what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. God desires for you to be whole and healed. God desires for you to walk in His truth. Instead of allowing derating phrases flow in your mind replace them with truth. Replace them with scripture.
Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. NIV
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? NLT
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ESV
James 4:6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” AMP
