You have the right...........

to choose what you think about and for how long.

Yep I've heard Joyce Meyer and others say this more than once, but it has started sinking in over the last couple of weeks.  It really is up to you whether you hit delete or replay on things. Let that sink in for just a minute. You can't change what people say to you, what they say about you, or what they don't say or do. The quicker we realize that the only person we can change is the one in the mirror each day, the faster we are to letting God take over and start the process of us becoming more like Him. Let's face it though the more we try to change others, the less time we have to let God change us because our focus is not on Him, it's on them.

Know what He's called you to do and do it!! Then once you start to do it, be at peace with it. Sometimes we know what our calling is, but we fight it because we want to do more in the flesh. Newsflash...in the flesh things will only lead to stress and frustration. Regardless of your feelings and what things look like, you are here for a reason, for a purpose, and there are things He has planned that only YOU can do. So quit comparing your life and you to someone else, and quit letting others compare you to other people. Remember He said when you have done all you can do to stand. Stand and let Him do what only He can do. Let Him remind you He's got your back(and your front for that matter ;-))

So where is this all coming from...revelation time and listening. Time to patch up the crack in the window, that the enemy has been using to get in and cause stress. Things are not going to always go as planned, but when you follow His plan through the twists and turns it may seem, it will always end up on the other side of the mountain. You are unique and you are one of a kind. He didn't make you to be like anyone else, so quit claiming and believing the lies that you are fed that you should be anyone other than who He made you to be. Last thing...be careful whose words you push replay. Not everyone in your life is meant to speak into your life. Jesus had 12 disciples, but He only had three in the inner circle. Trust your heart, line it up with scripture(1 John 4:1), and look at what fruit it leads to you in your life(doubt/discouragement or encouragement/hope). That will tell you whose words to hit delete on and whose you can replay. This is not an easy truth to get, but it's one I've had taught more than once and am slowly starting to see through His eyes. He'll teach you when to say yes and when to say no, who to listen to and who not, and when to speak up for yourself(or something else) and when to just stay quiet. I believe God called us to love and serve, but He did not call for us to be a doormat. We get ourselves in those "doormat" situations by trying to be people pleasers. Want to be truly happy? Let Him fill your schedule and trust me, you'll do more from the overflow then you could ever put on a to-do list. It's time to quit playing games and get busy about what He's busy about.

Give Him your five loaves and two fish and be ready to collect what is left! It really will be more than you could imagine ;-) (Yes He knows I love a picture to visualize).

Until next time,
~Melissa

Just FYI....when you start giving Him your thoughts and hitting delete more, be prepared for the enemy to slide in any chance he gets. Once it happens(and it will), repent, and patch the crack in the window again. It takes time to replace the world's words with His words, but in time He will be what you hear more than anyone else ;-)