change your focus...

now james shows us what we should do next in our temptation, he changes direction. james 1:17 (cev), every good and perfect gift comes down from the FATHER who created all the lights in the heavens. HE is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. he refocuses.

if temptation begins with our inner thoughts then changing what we think about is the key to overcoming it. don’t fight temptation just simply refocus your thoughts. change your attention. shift your thoughts. change your mind. refocus.

philippians 4:8 (ms), i'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst. focus your mind on the goodness of GOD.

why? because the more you fight the feeling the more it will grab you. don't focus on what you don't want, focus on what you do want. turn your attention, be refocused. get your eyes off of the negative and get your eyes on the goodness of GOD.

are you a chronic worrier? it's because you're doubting the goodness of GOD. whatever gets your attention, gets you. whatever you resist, persists. stop fighting it, just refocus. turn your back on it.

how do you get out of depression? not by looking at what you are and telling yourself what you are. that never changes you but focus on what you want.

this is the day that the LORD has made, i will rejoice and be glad. it's a choice. i will bless the LORD at all times…his praise will continually be in my mouth…i can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.

get GOD's word in your mind and refocus. quit fighting the feeling. what you resist, persists. you can't fight a feeling but if you ignore it, you weaken it.

listen, don't try to argue with the devil. he's a lot better at it than you are. he's had thousands of years of experience. when temptation calls, drop the receiver and forget it.

now when you refocus it may mean physically removing yourself from the situation. if you don't want to get stung, get away from the bees.

maybe you need to change the channel on the tv. maybe you need to walk out of that movie. maybe you need to get out of that chat room. maybe you need to change jobs. maybe you need to change a car pool.

joseph was in a tempting situation and he left his coat and ran. if you have to leave your coat, leave your coat. walk out. 1 corinthians 15:33 (niv), bad company corrupts good character. you know your weakness and GOD does too.

just some thoughts here on the front porch…