[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] I Can ’ t Think Straight! | Encouragement For Today

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>,
<INTERCESSORS-ALLNATIONS at yahoogroups.com>,
<dfpprayerwarriors at suddenlink.net>, <unitedprayermail at aol.com>,
<CcHhEeSsTtEeRr at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith]  I Can't Think Straight! | Encouragement For
Today
Date: 
Wed, 4 Apr 2012 09:41:20 -0400

I Can't Think Straight! | Encouragement For Today | Proverbs 31
Ministries

           
               
           
                        April 4, 2012

                              I Can't Think Straight!
                              Glynnis Whitwer
                             

                          "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." James 1:5 (NIV)

                        I felt like I was walking in circles. My to-do
list was long but I was accomplishing nothing. Nothing except shifting
messes from one place to another and getting increasingly frustrated with
myself.

                        Why couldn't I think straight!? Urgency pulled
and tugged, creating anxiety, yet I couldn't get myself unstuck.

                        Many days I just plod along, hoping that somehow
I'll pull myself together and move forward. Sadly, my success rate with
that approach is pretty low. Just doing more doesn't help when my mind is
scattered.

                        My biggest challenge with bringing order to my
day and home usually isn't found externally. It's not too much to do, too
small closets, or too many kids running around. Yes, those can be
challenges, but they aren't the biggest one.

                        My biggest foe is my cluttered mind. When I don't
think straight, I can't solve problems.

                        Our minds are the command center of managing our
lives. We may blame outside pressures for our problems, but many times the
issue is within: minds that aren't seeking help from the Source of all
wisdom and clarity-God.

                        As Christians we have a direct line to God's
wisdom as our key verse promises. Plus, we have the Holy Spirit living in
us who is our Counselor (John 14:26), and as the Bible tells us, we have
"the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). That's a powerhouse of help!

                        But we don't always tap into this Source of help.
And when we do, if the truth were told, we often don't really expect God to
answer us. Others, those super-spiritual types, may hear from God. But not
me, we think.

                        And so we struggle with problem-solving. We are
frustrated at our circumstances, confused about what to do, discouraged and
defeated. It's a downward cycle.

                        For years, I never even thought to ask God for
help making little decisions. Maybe I'd bring Him in on the big decisions,
but the little ones I figured I could handle myself. Oh, how I missed out
on so much clarity and focus.

                        If you are having trouble thinking, ask God to
clear your mind and direct your decision-making. Then trust He is doing
just that. Once you ask God to speak to you, expect it to happen. This
expectation is crucial to hearing from God. Here what James 1:5-8 says:

                        "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. 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. That person
should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is
double-minded and unstable in all they do."

                        If you do start to doubt, then take that thought
captive and choose to trust that God has spoken. Listening and trusting are
important parts of prayer, because prayer is not always to get God to move.

                        Many times, prayer positions us to hear God's
direction on how we should move. Through prayer, we align our hearts to
God's heart, and things become clearer.

                        Is the clutter in your mind making it hard to
think clearly? Perhaps one of the problems is you're trying to figure
things out on your own. We've been given the mind of Christ and we are
offered the wisdom of God. Let's ask and receive.

                          Lord, You know how hard it is for me to focus
sometimes. It's hard to figure out what needs to be done. I just feel
overwhelmed and discouraged. I know You aren't a God of confusion, so I ask
for Your wisdom and clarity to help bring order to my chaotic mind. In
Jesus Name, Amen.

                        Reflect and Respond:
                        Are there areas of your life that seem harder to
figure out? Why do you think that is?

                        If you feel overwhelmed, sit down and write out
your thoughts. Ask God to show you His priorities for you this morning,
afternoon or evening. Write down what He tells you, and spend some time
thanking Him for His faithfulness.

                        Power Verses:
                        Romans 8:6, "The mind governed by the flesh is
death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (NIV)

                        Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (NIV)

                        © 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

                        Proverbs 31 Ministries
                        616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
                        Matthews, NC 28105
                        www.Proverbs31.org

                        877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)