A renewed mind and spirit

It has been a while since I wrote my last post. I just wanted to share some things that God has put on my heart. He has a beautiful way of connecting with us and guiding our lives. He is the wonderful counselor. 

I woke up yesterday morning and thought about all of the things I wanted to accomplish this week since I am off work for Spring Break. I want to dig deep into God’s word and read a book. I want to catch up on sleep. I want to do a spring cleaning in my house. I want to go do something on my husband’s days off. I want to exercise and spend more time outdoors. I was ecstatic for how I would spend my time this week. So I got up and made breakfast and checked Facebook, then I checked my email, then I checked my Instagram account. By the time I realized it, it was noon! I had sat on my couch and wasted the morning checking social media and emails! That is when I felt convicted. 

      I asked myself, “Is this how you want to spend your whole week off?  You always forget or don’t have time to read God’s word but you have plenty of time to check Facebook. Is this pleasing to God?” So the Holy Spirit was stepping on my toes! Next, a friend sent me a message and we talked for a few minutes. What she said next slapped me in the face. She told me that since she left Facebook she has a clearer mind. She is able to dedicate so much more time to her family and God’s word and she feels closer to God! 

Wham! 

So as you can see the conviction I had at this point, I prayed and made a decision. I deleted my Facebook app, I turned off my emails, I basically turned off all of my distractions. I put my phone in my bedroom and it was 10:00 before I picked it up again and that was just to turn it on silent before bed. 

I could not believe the amount of things I was able to do for the remainder of the day! My parents came over for a few hours, I played outside with my dogs, I cooked supper, I dove into God’s word that my soul was thirsting for, and I cleaned my whole house. I didn’t miss anything! I felt a clear mind! Then my husband came in from work and we went straight to bed. There was no checking of social media. I slept so soundly!

God hates distractions. When we no longer put all of our focus and time into the things of God, that is a sin and it has become idolatry. My soul was longing for a renewed spirit with deeper prayer and soaking up the scriptures. 

So my goal this week is to continue in this path as God leads. I will be able to spend more time with God, my family, and just be still while I can. 

Reflect on your life: what are your distractions? Do you spend more time in useless areas that in God’s word? Maybe it’s television. You shouldn’t be watching television at all if you are a Christian but that is for another post. What about your job or even your family? Nothing should be replacing time with God. I pray He convicts you as He did me. 
Hebrews 12:2 fixing our attention on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of the joy set before him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

   Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Proverbs 4:25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Isaiah 45:22 Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.