July 24th, 2023
by Stephanie Williams
by Stephanie Williams
Rejection. Fear. Pride. Absent mom or dad. High-pressure environments. Bullying. Rewards based on performance over character. Experiences shape beliefs leading to behavior. What experiences shaped how you believe?
Psalm 23:5 NASB says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Who would be at your table if the Lord prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies? Rejection? Fear? Pride? Disobedience? Self-righteousness? Worry? Doubt?
Psalm 23:5 NASB goes on to say, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” While rejection, fear, pride, doubt, and worry may sit at your table, you do not have to continue to dwell with them. The Lord is a God who is able to renew your mind. Romans 12:2 tells us that our past experiences do not shape who we are forever--rather, we can be transformed. Fill your mind instead with things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). When you find yourself filled with rejection, doubt, fear, anger, or worry, then list items that are worthy of praise, lovely, right and honorable. One way to fill your mind is to play a little game. Try to find something praiseworthy for every letter of the alphabet. A--all, all of my sins are forgiven; B--breeze, the hot day had a nice breeze; C--the Lord blessed me with children; etc.
Finally, Psalm 23:5 NASB finishes with, “My cup overflows.” The Lord is willing and able to renew your mind when you intentionally fill it with honorable thoughts. When your mind begins to be transformed by these new and honorable thoughts, it overflows into how you view the world and how you behave.
Ask the Holy Spirit what some enemies are at your table. Is it pride? Bitterness? Fear of failure? Then ask the Lord to renew your mind by transforming it with good, righteous, and honorable thoughts.
Psalm 23:5 NASB says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Who would be at your table if the Lord prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies? Rejection? Fear? Pride? Disobedience? Self-righteousness? Worry? Doubt?
Psalm 23:5 NASB goes on to say, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” While rejection, fear, pride, doubt, and worry may sit at your table, you do not have to continue to dwell with them. The Lord is a God who is able to renew your mind. Romans 12:2 tells us that our past experiences do not shape who we are forever--rather, we can be transformed. Fill your mind instead with things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). When you find yourself filled with rejection, doubt, fear, anger, or worry, then list items that are worthy of praise, lovely, right and honorable. One way to fill your mind is to play a little game. Try to find something praiseworthy for every letter of the alphabet. A--all, all of my sins are forgiven; B--breeze, the hot day had a nice breeze; C--the Lord blessed me with children; etc.
Finally, Psalm 23:5 NASB finishes with, “My cup overflows.” The Lord is willing and able to renew your mind when you intentionally fill it with honorable thoughts. When your mind begins to be transformed by these new and honorable thoughts, it overflows into how you view the world and how you behave.
Ask the Holy Spirit what some enemies are at your table. Is it pride? Bitterness? Fear of failure? Then ask the Lord to renew your mind by transforming it with good, righteous, and honorable thoughts.
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