A Piece of Your Mind

From the time you wake up until the time you go to bed at night, somebody somewhere is trying to get a piece of your mind.  You know: get you to do something for them that you really don’t have to do.  Companies, advertisers and even politicians spend millions of dollars to get that coveted ‘piece of your mind’ because they can then influence your actions, whether spending, voting, etc.  The same concept holds true for relationships.  “Let me get that phone number.” “I just need a place to crash for a day or two.” “Baby, can you loan me some money?”  “Let me hit that tonight.” As life coach and motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant once said, “Where the mind goes, the behind will follow.”

So, who’s leading your behind around?

We’ve all fallen victim at some point, and found ourselves doing the “walk of shame” because we got played by someone who didn’t deserve the privilege of our company or consideration.  There’s no point in beating yourself up over it if it’s already happened. But you can make the decision not to let it happen again.  It’s as simple as asking yourself three questions before you respond to them:

1)  What does this other person get out of it?

2)  What do I get out of it?

3)  How will this decision affect me in the future?

When it comes to you and your personal life, you have to think long-term.  That piece of your mind (or piece of anything else) you’re about to give up could cause you major problems down the road.

How well do you know this person?  How much do you trust this person? If you’re a parent, how will your child be affected by this decision?  It goes deeper than you think.

Since we all know that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, be careful of who you give a piece to.   If you’re doing all the giving and getting little in return, it’s time to cut them off and get your mind whole again.

I know from experience that this is not always easy because your feelings are deeply involved.  But once you get your piece of mind back, you’ll also have your peace of mind again.

Love to you, and as always, enjoy the balance of your day.

F.E.A.R.

2 Timothy 1:7- “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind…”

We all deal with fear from time to time.  But if God didn’t give us this fear, where did it come from?

When we believe a thing to be true, our minds suddenly make that thing real to us.  That’s where our fears get their power- in our minds and from the thoughts we entertain.

So how do we fight fear?  We first have to recognize it for what it really is.

F.E.A.R. stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.  Our natural minds have a way of magnifying circumstances based on a simple thought.  We have to stop and ask ourselves, “Where did that thought come from?”  Was the thought based on an actual threat or just one you perceived to be a threat?  Let’s face it:  perception becomes reality whether it’s true or not.

Any thought that brings you into a state of fear, anxiety or worry is not of God.  This same God that gave us His Son doesn’t want us to worry, be fearful or be over-concerned about anything.

The word of God often tells us, “Fear not,” “Let not your heart be troubled,” or “Fret not thyself,” but we too easily allow False Evidence Appearing Real to steal our joy.  From now on, let’s agree to call it for what it is– a LIE carefully crafted by Satan to throw us off.  And here’s your weapon: the Sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.  The next time one of those lies has you feeling crazy, pull out your sword and start swinging!  Speak every scripture that comes to mind to fit your situation until that fearful thought is gone.  Slice that fear into nothing and watch it blow away like the wind.  Remember, the battle is the Lord’s- we just have to show up.

I pray that this has been a help to you.  Let’s keep fighting together, in Jesus’s name!

Until next time, enjoy the balance of your day!

Andrea