“And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
This season of motherhood is violating what I know.
I see chaos and think my world is coming to an end.
I see messes and think that I am a horrible housekeeper.
I see loneliness and believe that I am undesirable.
I see an unending list of things to do and throw my hands up and declare I am a failure.
Brave Thoughts
Outside of these ‘momma moments’, it is easy to see that there is not much truth to these thoughts. What I see is different than what I know. As a momma to 4 littles, I have found myself in a place where what I know has been hijacked. Consequently, the longer that I dwell on these hijacked thoughts, the blurrier the truth becomes.
In Philippians Ch.4, the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the Christian community in Philippi. He is sending words of encouragement, giving them examples of what to do and what not to do. He urges them to pray about everything. Then in verse 8, he addresses the mind of the believer. He provides his friends with a list of ‘standards’ to think or dwell on.
Mommas, we need to be BRAVE in our thinking. It is absolutely imperative that we take heart to what Paul wrote and surround ourselves to that which is ‘true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise.’ So that, when the ‘momma moments’ come, we can stop the lie in its track and look for the truth in the moment.
We aren’t searching for warm fuzzies. We aren’t searching for someone to tell us that everything is going to be perfectly fine and glorious. Rather, we are looking for TRUTH.
The Greatest Battle Ground
The mind is the greatest battleground. I know from firsthand experience that if you don’t fill your mind with truth, it will be filled with something else that will ultimately lead to destruction.
There is one who desires to wage war on our mind. As a result, he will go to great lengths to alter our mindset. He truly wants to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
Paul encourages believers to focus on things that are ‘excellent and worthy of praise’. He charges them to meditate on these things, study them, become familiar with them, let these things guide and direct their thoughts, as well as their motives.
Just as soldiers in a physical war train for battle, we must prepare ourselves for the battle within.
Our Thought Life, Our Responsibility
Our thought life is our responsibility. Furthermore, the decisions we make determine the outcome.
In chaos, I can choose to believe that my life is spiraling out of control or I can choose to believe what I know. John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
In messes, I can choose to believe that I am not capable or I can choose to believe what I know. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
In loneliness, I can choose to believe that I am undesirable or I can choose to believe what I know. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
In unending lists of things to do, I can choose to believe that I am a failure or I can choose to believe what I know. Isaiah 40:31 “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint.”
What will you choose?
Let’s Pray!
God, thank you for your Word. Thank your for TRUTH that I can cling to and learn from. Lord, I pray that you will help me to be BRAVE in my thinking. Open my eyes to the things in my life that are hijacking my thoughts. Lord, I pray for wisdom and discernment. Help me to be the momma you created me to be. Help me to turn to you first. In your precious name, Amen.
BE BRAVE
- Take an inventory of your thought life. What are you dwelling on? What are you allowing to influence you.
- Build up your defense. MEDITATE on God’s word and memorize scripture.
- Look for the truth. There is truth in every moment. It might not always be positive or what we want to hear and feel, but there is truth.
- Get to know your Spiritual Commander in Chief. Spend time in prayer
Find the TRUTH in the moment and choose Brave Thoughts.
See more Mom the Brave Devotionals and be encouraged!
Christine Morton
She is a lover of Jesus, Littles, Coffee, and Light bulb moments.
Christine enjoys leading worship with her husband, crafting, and encouraging mommas in the trenches of motherhood.
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