The first thing that popped into my head when I read this week's prompt was Psalm 46:10a--"Be still and know that I am God." A timely exhortation and reminder to a mind full of looped tapes replaying the same scenarios over and over again. In response, I prayed for the Lord to help me still my mind and gain control over my thoughts.
Romans 12:2 tells us that God transforms us into a new person by changing the way we think. That is something that only He can do. My part is to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Phillipians 4:8 has been a great help in breaking the loops. Whenever I'm tempted to be critical or judgmental, for example, I try to remember to turn those thoughts around and fix them, instead, on something that is "true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable... things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
At first it seemed like an overwhelming challenge, but the more I do it, the more second nature it becomes.
Treasure: valuable or precious possessions -- accumulated or stored wealth -- a stash of money or jewels (as in buried treasure) -- anyone or anything that is greatly valued...
This week's prompt made me think of Matthew 6:19-21, which says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, or where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Long before I met Jesus and invited Him to become Lord of my life, and long before I became acquainted with the above Scripture, I had an earthly treasure--a box full of beautiful jewelry that had been given to me on different occasions. I didn't wear it much, but enjoyed looking through it. Then one day I came home to the heartbreaking discovery that our apartment had been broken into, and my box was gone.
Years later, I filled a box with treasure of a different kind. Memories of God's grace, and little things that brought me joy. Not something a thief would steal, but something of great value to me.
Today my heart aches for my daughter who had to put her beloved dog to sleep.
I'm having a hard time thinking of what to write for our weekly challenge so, instead, I've put together some pictures of favorite memories as a tribute to this sweet granddoggie, whose life came to its completion on this sad day.
If our FMF friend Andrew is correct, however--and I believe he is--we will see our pets again when we get to Heaven. The thought of Benji now free of all sickness and pain, frolicking on fields of green with his cousins and sisters who preceded him makes me happy.
Over the years, a small fortune has probably slipped through my fingers on things I thought I needed, but have yet to use. Boxes full of unread books, most of which I could have borrowed from the library; ever growing stacks of magazines I can't bear to part with until I have at least had a chance to skim through them; kitchen gadgets that seemed absolute necessities, such as the rarely used air fryer/grill combo that now occupies valuable space on an already too small kitchen counter. Obviously there's a serious disconnect in my mind between true needs and just wants made to seem like needs by clever, enticing advertising.
In reality, the only things we really need while inhabiting this earth are water, food, air, shelter, and clothing. By the grace of God, I've never been deprived of any of those needs, although I did come close to experiencing lack of air during the almost two weeks spent hooked up to a ventilator when I contracted double pneumonia due to acute heart failure almost four years ago (documented in my book, Oil of Myrrh).
Looking at things in their proper perspective, what I need above all else is the LORD. Only Jesus can provide me with His peace that surpasses understanding--no matter my circumstances--and through Him alone my eternal life in the presence of God is secured.
----------------------------------
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-6 ESV)
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3)
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NLT)
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. (John 16:33 NLT)
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:25-26)
