Do you ever find your mind caught in a rut? All you can think about is
- those bills that need paying...
- all the things you should do...
- that relationship that's not going the way you'd like it to...
- what you're going to do about that nagging situation...
Now, we all need to address things at one time or another. What I'm talking about is your mind being fixated when there's really nothing you can do.
If you've read my blog before you may have already heard me say this, but it bears repeating:
What I focus on gets bigger!
It's true, isn't it?
So how do we change our focus to something healthy rather than obsessing?
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| Photo courtesy of stock.xchng and k_r_anoop |
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. ~ Colossians 3:2
When we focus on God, He gets bigger and the things of this world get smaller! And one of the best ways I've found to focus on God is to memorize Scripture.
I've memorized Scripture before, but I have a hard time going over the verses I've already learned without my list handy because I can't recall which ones I've already comitted to memory. One of the benifits to memorizing a verse beginning with each letter of the alphabet is having a prompt for the next verse. If I have a hard time sleeping, I start thinking of our "A" verse and work my way through the list. Sometimes I even start at the current verse and work my way back to "A".
If you're participating in the challenge, I'd love to hear from you! Please leave a comment with what letter you're on and anything else you'd like to share. Haven't started yet? It's never too late to join in the "She Sparkles" A-Z Scripture Memory Challenge. Why not start today?
The A to Z Verses we’ve learned so far
- A - As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b
- B – Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
- C – Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
- D – Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
- E – Every good and perfect gift is from above James 1:17
- F – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
- G – God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
- H – How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:2
- I – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Galatians 5:1
- J – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
- K – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13
- L - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
- M – May Your unfailing love be my comfort. Psalm 119:76
- N – Nothing is too hard for God. Jeremiah 32:17b
- O – O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1
- P – Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Eph. 6:11
- Q - In quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah 30:15b
- R - Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8
Lisa, your articles would be helpful and inspiring to other Christian Poets & Writers in our Facebook group, so I'd be happy to re-post your link and paragraph or so in the CP&W blog - http://christianpoetsandwriters.blogspot.com/ . Since we're both on Blogger, this would be easy to do if you can add a Share It gadget that includes the "B" button for Blogger. If so, let me know. And may God continue to bless you and your good work in Jesus' Name - Mary
So true. I find when I'm focusing on problems and frustrations they grown into the mammoth category. That's why I love having Philippians 4:8 committed to memory. Sometimes I have to repeat it over and over until my focus shifts. It is good to hide the verses in our heart.
Ohhh, that Cindy. Encouraging memorization! Good for you, Lisa, and great idea for rut dwellers (yep, me included!).
Great post! I love what you say about our focus. It is so true that whatever you focus on gets bigger so of course our focus needs to be on God. Your words are a great reminder of what should be most important in our lives. Thank you for sharing.
"What I focus on gets bigger!" - this is an excellent quote.
Great post!
A great reminder! And that a neat scripture memory idea!
"What I focus on gets bigger!"
So true!
We don't escape worry by focusing on our concerns, but by focusing on God's faithfulness.
We don't escape bitterness by focusing on past hurts, but by focusing on God's grace.
We don't escape temptation by focusing on avoiding sin, but by focusing on walking in godliness.
So many applications!
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, what we focus on becomes an obsession. Love this idea. Thanks for the encouragement.
Great post! I wrote something about changing my focus because I find that it takes practice to get my eyes off circumstances and remember that as God "gets bigger and the things of this world get smaller" there is peace.
P.S. I'm a new follower of your blog! I'm also new to Pinterest - following you there too!
I would love to have you visit me when you get a chance...
http://www.findingtheinspiring.blogspot.com
Wow, Lisa, what a great idea. And, isn't this the truth? I always tell my patients that what they tell themselves matters. It's all about focus!
I just found your blog and I love it! You're right...What we focus on can become all-consuming. I have such a tough time memorizing scripture, but I've never tried this method. I'm taking the challenge!
I'd be delighted to have you visit me at www.marywomantowoman.blogspot.com
Hi Lisa
Thank you for the lovely comment you left on my blog today... and yes, please feel free to use the poem... I'd be honoured.
What a great idea! I for one tend to obsess a lot!
I found you at Inspire me Monday
One of the forms of ‘dying to self’ is letting go of attachments and obsessions; in fact, that may be key. Memorizing scriptures has saved my life because these words, like buried treasure, are always accessible to the one who has hidden them safely.
John 15:7
I am so grateful for Sunday School and learning scripture off by heart. So often a verse will come to mind, just at the right time.I love all your verses above, especially C – Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10, I pray this often.
Thank you for your many scriptures with the alphabet. Scriptures will help us keep our mind focused on God, when we know that there are circumstances out there that would like to bowl us over. Sweet taste of honey is His word to me. Thank you for sharing at Tell me a Story.
Neat thinking/sharing. Focusing on the Lord and the Word is significantly important, of course. And looking "high" is what my heart wants and chooses to do over and over again.
Interesting challenge. Using the alphabet is a good idea. It is true. Things we focus on - good or bad - seem to grow bigger.
Blessings,
Charlotte