Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
By Betsy Monico
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I mention food in relation to moderation because I am finally feeling good, eating everything again, and telling myself that the extra calories are good to help me regain my strength – yeah, right! Soon restraint will have to kick in and take over again with my food choices. I will need to select more fruits and vegetables and less of my Mother-in-law’s delicious coconut cake or my Aunt Ginger’s apple bread.
I have also witnessed self-control and moderation in people around me making a conscious effort to control their thoughts. I have been amazed at the strong individuals that have crossed my path this past week. They have shared with me how the Lord is helping them keep their thoughts in check by meditating on His word and renewing their minds to get through a variety of challenges.
One friend has battled anxiety over an upcoming hysterectomy, but fully given her decision to God. She has thought about taking care of her children with the physical limitations she will have for a while and the huge emotional issues connected with a surgery that removes your chances of having a baby. Another Mom admitted that there is worry connected to her son’s
future because of his disability, but she is replacing her worry with faith. I ran into an old high school classmate at the grocery store who recently lost his Dad. He is allowing himself time to grieve, but also seems to know instinctively that he also has to pick himself up, keep on feeding his Dad’s cows, and live his life.
There are others dealing with anger and know that if they allow it to fester, it will control their lives. They too deal with the negative feelings in moderation. Worry, frustration, anger, fear, anxiety, doubt, you name it . . . we all feel it at one time or another, but must learn to control our thoughts and not let them control us.
Kathy Jackson, a friend and mentor to me, pointed out a verse to me years ago that kept on coming to mind this week. It is 2 Corinthians 10:5 that says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.”
It reminds me when the harmful thought comes in, toss it out! Only let it sit there for a second. The thoughts will come, but they do not have to linger for too long. We must ask if our thoughts line up with God’s Word. If they do not, we must get rid of them or change gears so to speak. I read years ago something that gave me a visual for this process. We must tear down the old wallpaper full of destructive thoughts and hang up new paper in our minds that is pleasing to the Lord, positive, and full of scripture. Is this really possible? Do I sound like a television infomercial? If you are in it alone, it is impossible. With Jesus Christ at your side, it is not only highly possible, but promised.
How else can we change our minds and keep our thoughts in check? Maybe there is a certain spot in your house or outside that you go and sit when you need to get control of your thoughts and regroup. You may even take a long run or walk and clear the mind. Several of the ladies in my Sunday School class shared that they have certain songs they sing out loud when worry sets it or depression begins.
I experienced a new way last week to get into a praise mode really quickly, I mean really quickly! I visited church with my close friend, and adopted Grandmother you might say, Lou Rischer at Faith Temple. The first hour was nothing but praising the Lord and I mean PRAISING the Lord! It had nothing to do with us, but was all about HIM! Let me explain the power of praise and how it connects with renewing your mind and changing your perspective. I could have walked in that white building down, but come out up. I could have walked in there facing death and come out with life. I could have walked into the church without a dime to speak of and came out rich. I could have walked in sad, but would have come out full of joy. It was like the congregation opened the windows of the small church and literally threw out everything that did not agree with the simple, yet powerful thought and promise that “God is bigger than that.” It was more than the music. It was a spirit of praise and an attitude of thanksgiving. Lou’s daughter-in-law, Patricia, is the pastor at the church. Talk about a woman of power and strength from the Lord and a smile that fills her church wall to wall, ceiling to floor!
I mention controlling the mind this week because I have had to keep mine in check now that my treatments are complete and my cancer is gone. When I have an ache or pain in an odd part of my body, I have to take the fear captive and toss out the thought. Am I in denial that I have had cancer and that it always can return? No, it is not denial. I am practicing renewing my mind, just like I used to practice piano when Mrs. Murden taught me years ago.
I grabbed a list of scriptures one night last week when my kids were in the tub and read them out loud to myself. I am walking outside in the sunshine every chance I get. I am anticipating the arrival of my purple martins this spring. I am sitting in my husband’s new deer stand with the crew and eating Beanie Weenies with an old spoon (now, that one is scary) I have been reading the classic Black Beauty with my 2nd grader and began a new Nicholas Sparks novel for fun. I am practicing Philippians 4:8 like never before.
I am working on this control thing with my thoughts more than ever! I can only hope I do better with my mind in 2008 than the time I first discovered white chocolate almonds with Brad Hicks, Margo Richards, and Rod Daniel. I ate so many that I got sick on the way home from Dallas. Maybe my brain will come into control easier than my taste buds. I am working on that next! Isn’t life a process and aren’t we are the main works in progress? Thank you, Lord, that you are patient!