Blog Archives

What's in Your Pack

1/22/2015

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” ESV

                There are times to be critical. Backpacking is one of those. You need to make wise decisions about what you’re going to stuff in your pack when journeying through the wilderness for any extended period of time. The finesse is when you have enough gear to get through, balanced out by not being weighed down to the point you’re miserable, and the trip goes great.

                Your mind is like the backpack for the journey of life. I was reading about ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts patterns) that really mess with, if not ruin your life. According to Dr. Daniel Amen there are nine ANTs to vigilantly watch for: Always/never thinking, focusing on the negative, fortune telling what you think will happen, mind reading what others are thinking of you, thinking with your feelings, guilt-beating yourself with “should-must-always-ought to” kinds of thoughts, labeling, personalizing, and blaming.

                Negative thought patterns are like cramming rocks into a backpack. When I read the ANT-list, I decided it was time for every single ANT to be out of the backpack of my mind. All they do is weigh you down and make you miserable for this wonderful adventure of life God has given us.

                Many times negative thought patterns stem from and are strengthened by deeply held wrong beliefs people have about themselves. These are lies (that feel like truth) people cling to because of past hurts/wounding. Ask God to show you if there are any wounds that fuel present negative thought patterns. John Eldredge has a free resource for this kind of healing at www.ransomedheart.com.

                You’re in the jungle. What thoughts are sandbagging your mind? Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 will help you pack.

0 Comments

It's in the Pantry

1/1/2015

1 Comment

John 6:68-69 “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’” ESV

                My wife said, “I’m going to the grocery store. We’re out of milk and everything else. I’ll be back in an hour. Please have the kids make cornbread.”

                “No problemo.” I replied.

                Ten minutes after she leaves the kids yell, “Dad! We can’t make the cornbread.”

                “It’s a box mix!”

              “Dad we can’t. It says we need two-thirds cup of milk.”

                I’m thinking to myself, “Maybe we’ve got some powdered milk in the pantry.” I look and don’t find any. I give up the search; and with that…the cornbread.

                Then my wife called and I told her that the kids weren’t able to make cornbread because we didn’t have any milk. Then she said, “Why don’t you use the powdered milk? It’s in the pantry.”

                Now my search took on whole new meaning. I knew there had to be powdered milk in the pantry! My tenacity gained teeth to tear into that pantry armed with knowledge and belief.

                The cornbread was fantastic.

                The moral to the story is that God has a promise and an answer in his pantry for every single battle, struggle, circumstance, and problem that you would ever face. Don’t lose heart and give up by not knowing what God’s word says about your situation. Peter could’ve said it like this, “Jesus, we know you’re the pantry of life. Where else could we go to find life but you?”

Get Tenacious about finding life’s answers in God. Healing, provision, and victory are in God’s pantry built with by his promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”

1 Comment

What's in Your Pack

It's in the Pantry

Aaron Jeffers

Archives

Categories