☕❤️ THURSDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT WITH MY COFFEE: WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR MIND — FAITH OR FEAR?

☕❤️ THURSDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT WITH MY COFFEE: WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR MIND — FAITH OR FEAR?

Good Thursday morning, family and friends!

As I sit here this beautiful morning with my coffee and God's Word, I've been thinking about something that I believe we all need to consider.

OUR THOUGHTS HAVE A POWERFUL INFLUENCE ON THE WAY WE LIVE OUR LIVES!

Oh, y'all, think about that for a moment!

Have you ever talked yourself out of doing something before you even tried?

Maybe you had a dream.

Maybe you felt God leading you toward something new.

Maybe you wanted to start a business, write a book, go back to school, begin a ministry, or simply make a positive change in your life.

But then those little thoughts started creeping in.

"What if I fail?"

"What if I'm not good enough?"

"What if people laugh at me?"

"What if I'm too old?"

"What if I don't have what it takes?"

And before you know it, you've convinced yourself not to even try!

Y'all, I know what that's like!

And here's something I've learned through the years.

SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE STANDING BETWEEN US AND THE NEXT STEP IS THE FEAR WE'VE ALLOWED TO GROW IN OUR OWN MINDS!

Now, I'm not saying we can simply think something into existence.

That's not what biblical faith is about!

We cannot control every circumstance through positive thinking, and just because we believe something will happen doesn't mean it is automatically God's will.

But I do believe that what we continually allow into our minds can influence our attitudes, decisions, and actions.

The Bible says:

Proverbs 23:7 KJV

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."

Now, this verse comes from a passage warning us about someone whose outward words don't match the intentions of his heart.

But it reminds us of something worth considering: WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE OUR HEARTS MATTERS!

Our thoughts can encourage us to move forward, or they can cause us to remain stuck in fear.

And that brings me to something else.

YOU CANNOT ALWAYS CONTROL THE THOUGHT THAT ENTERS YOUR MIND, BUT YOU CAN LEARN NOT TO GIVE EVERY THOUGHT A PLACE TO STAY!

Oh, y'all!

How many times have we allowed one negative thought to turn into an entire day of worry?

Something happens, and suddenly we're imagining the worst possible outcome.

We begin questioning ourselves.

We begin doubting our abilities.

And sometimes we even begin doubting what God has called us to do.

But here's what the Bible tells us.

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

Did y'all catch that?

BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST!

Y'all, we need to learn to examine our thoughts in light of God's Word!

Not every thought we have is true.

Not every fear is a warning.

And not every discouraging voice deserves our attention.

Sometimes we need to stop and ask ourselves:

IS THIS THOUGHT DRAWING ME CLOSER TO JESUS, OR IS IT PULLING ME AWAY FROM TRUSTING HIM?

STOP TELLING YOURSELF YOU CAN'T WHEN GOD MAY BE CALLING YOU TO TAKE A STEP OF FAITH!

Now, let me share something personal.

Y'all know I wear several hats!

I work, I study, I write, I serve in ministry, and I have my little boutique.

And believe me, there have been days when I've looked at everything on my plate and thought, "Lord, how in the world am I going to get all this done?"

There have been moments when I've questioned whether I was capable of doing something new.

And there have certainly been times when I've felt overwhelmed!

But here's what I keep coming back to.

Philippians 4:13 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Oh, how I love that Scripture!

Now, that doesn't mean I can accomplish anything I imagine simply because I want it badly enough.

Paul was speaking about the strength Christ gave him to endure different circumstances, whether he had plenty or very little.

But what a wonderful reminder!

OUR STRENGTH DOESN'T HAVE TO COME FROM OURSELVES ALONE!

We can depend on Jesus!

When we're tired, He can strengthen us.

When we're uncertain, we can seek His wisdom.

When we're afraid, we can bring those fears to Him.

And when we're facing something difficult, we can trust Him to help us remain faithful.

Y'all, sometimes we need to stop saying, "I can't do this," and start praying, "Lord, if this is what You've called me to do, please give me the wisdom, courage, and strength to take the next step."

DON'T ALLOW FEAR TO BURY THE DREAMS GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR HEART! ❤️

Maybe you've been wanting to write that book.

Maybe you've been considering going back to school.

Maybe you've felt led to serve in a ministry.

Maybe you've wanted to learn a new skill.

Or maybe you've been praying about making a change that would help you grow spiritually.

Whatever it may be, don't automatically dismiss it because you're afraid of failing.

Pray about it!

Study God's Word.

Seek wise counsel.

Make a plan.

And when you believe the Lord is leading you, take the next faithful step.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THE ENTIRE STAIRCASE TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP!

But remember, every dream we have isn't necessarily a calling from God.

That's why prayer, discernment, and obedience to Scripture are so important.

We should never ask God simply to bless every plan we make.

We should ask Him to guide us toward the plans that honor Him.

The Bible says:

Proverbs 16:3 KJV

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Oh, y'all, what a beautiful reminder!

Commit your work to the Lord.

Seek His direction.

And allow Him to shape your desires and priorities.

WHAT WE FEED OUR MINDS MATTERS!

Think about what happens when we spend our days surrounded by negativity.

Constant complaining.

Gossip.

Arguments.

Fear-filled conversations.

And endless comparisons with other people's lives.

Before long, we may begin feeling discouraged, bitter, or anxious.

But what happens when we intentionally spend time in God's Word?

When we pray?

When we listen to encouraging messages?

When we remember the blessings God has already given us?

When we choose to be thankful instead of constantly focusing on what we don't have?

Our perspective can begin to change!

The Bible says:

Philippians 4:8 KJV

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Oh, y'all!

THINK ON THESE THINGS!

What a wonderful guide for our thought lives!

Now, this doesn't mean pretending everything is wonderful when we're going through something difficult.

It doesn't mean ignoring grief, pain, or genuine concerns.

And it certainly doesn't mean that struggling with unwanted thoughts makes someone a bad Christian.

It means learning to bring our thoughts before the Lord and choosing to focus on what is true, good, and consistent with His Word.

LET GOD TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU THINK!

Y'all, this is where real change begins.

Not simply by repeating positive words.

Not by pretending we never have doubts.

But by allowing God's truth to shape our hearts and minds.

Romans 12:2 KJV

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND!

Oh, how powerful!

Sometimes before God changes our circumstances, He begins changing our perspective.

He teaches us patience.

He teaches us humility.

He teaches us courage.

He teaches us to trust Him instead of depending entirely on our own understanding.

And y'all, I'm still learning these lessons myself!

I am certainly not a finished product!

SARAH IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

But I thank God that He continues working on me.

And I want to keep growing into the person He has called me to be.

DON'T LET YESTERDAY'S FAILURES CONVINCE YOU THAT TOMORROW HOLDS NO POSSIBILITIES!

Maybe you've tried something before and it didn't work out.

Maybe someone discouraged you.

Maybe you've made mistakes.

Or maybe life took a direction you never expected.

Y'all, don't let those experiences convince you that God cannot still work in your life.

You may need to change your approach.

You may need to learn something new.

You may need to wait on God's timing.

And sometimes you may need to let go of a dream that isn't right for you.

But through it all, you can trust the Lord to guide your steps.

YOUR PAST DOESN'T HAVE TO DEFINE EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE ABOUT YOUR FUTURE!

And here's what I want us to remember today.

WE DON'T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT TOMORROW TO TRUST THE GOD WHO HOLDS TOMORROW!

🙏 HEAVENLY FATHER, thank You for another beautiful morning and another opportunity to grow in You. Lord, search my heart and examine my thoughts. Forgive me for the times I've allowed fear, doubt, negativity, or discouragement to take my focus away from You. Help me recognize thoughts that are not grounded in Your truth. Renew my mind through Your Word and teach me to think in ways that honor You. Father, if there are dreams and purposes You have placed in my heart, give me wisdom to recognize them, courage to pursue them, and patience to trust Your timing. Help me surrender my own plans when they don't align with Your will. Remind me that my strength comes from Jesus Christ and that I don't have to face life's challenges alone. May my thoughts, words, decisions, and actions bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' precious name, Amen. ❤️

🌿 FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR MIND — FAITH OR FEAR?

Y'all, here's my challenge for all of us this Thursday morning.

Pay attention to the thoughts you're allowing to influence your day.

Are you constantly telling yourself that you're not good enough?

Are you allowing past failures to keep you from trying again?

Are you spending more time worrying about what could go wrong than praying about what God would have you do?

And most importantly:

ARE YOUR THOUGHTS BEING SHAPED MORE BY THE WORLD AROUND YOU OR BY THE WORD OF GOD?

Remember, y'all:

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE EVERY NEGATIVE THOUGHT THAT ENTERS YOUR MIND.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LET FEAR MAKE ALL YOUR DECISIONS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING FIGURED OUT BEFORE YOU TAKE A FAITHFUL STEP FORWARD.

And you certainly don't have to depend on your own strength!

FILL YOUR MIND WITH GOD'S WORD, FILL YOUR HEART WITH HIS TRUTH, AND LET YOUR STEPS BE GUIDED BY HIS WILL! ❤️

Y'all, I don't know what dreams, challenges, or decisions you're facing today.

But I encourage you to pray about them, seek the Lord's direction, and refuse to let fear automatically determine your future.

DON'T JUST DREAM ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. PRAY ABOUT WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO — AND THEN BE WILLING TO OBEY!

Have a beautiful and blessed Thursday, family and friends!

CHANGE WHAT YOU FEED YOUR MIND, AND LET GOD'S WORD HELP TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU LIVE! ❤️🙏

— SarahAgape Love Daily