Mind Your Own Business
I grew up as the oldest of 4 girls.
Yep all my life I have been referred to as “the oldest”. Funny how that used to be a badge of honor, control and authority over my little sisters—today it just makes me feel OLD. However, I digress, that is for another post.
Where I was going with this is the frequency of girl fights that occurred between me and my younger sisters or them with one another.
Every fight led to someone squealing in distress to our Mom, “tattling” on another sister and hoping for parental intervention and support on their behalf. My Mom rarely took the bait. More often she would respond with the clear PASSION EMOTION KILLING instruction to “Mind Your Own Business” and you will stay out of trouble.
As a Mom myself, I have often heard MY Moms voice coming out of MY mouth to MY own kids—“Mind Your Own Business and you will stay out of trouble”.
In my quiet time I have been studying about the life of David. Today, I was reading 2 Samuel 11 about David’s temptation turned tragedy and began to consider the serious seduction power that can go on within that fist sized body part called the brain AKA, the MIND.
While I am studying this broken place in David’s life, I am dealing with some stuff in my own life.
Aren’t we always?
Maybe you can relate.
I am struggling with some things that are NOT MAKING ME HAPPY! There are some people in my life who are not doing what I want them to do. They are not being fair. I am even dealing with a few who are not being good “Christians” and are not treating me right. I am telling you right now there are quite a few areas right now where I am not getting my way.
Again I ask, can you relate? (Now don’t you go acting all innocent with me!!)
In this encounter with Bathsheba, David allowed himself to make some REALLY bad choices.He let his mind, his thoughts, his personal “rights”—lead him into places he should not have gone.
I have some Bathsheba thoughts going on today.
I see some things I want and my MIND tells me I should have them..
I have made some life changing “Bathsheba” choices in my life but as I get “OLDER” I am learning to draw from the MIND OF CHRIST that is in me–hang on by the skin of my teeth and MIND MY OWN BUSINESS!
I determine to keep my thoughts under control by journaling; writing scripture on 3X5 cards and keeping them in my face; sharing my struggle with a few close prayer partners who will agree with me for victory but mostly, I am renewing my MIND with good Bible teaching and worship music.
Here are a few scriptures God lead me to this morning as I work my way once again through taking some thoughts captive!
If you are dealing with some “Bathsheba thinking” I hope they will help you too.
Matt 22:37
Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all your soul and with all of your MIND.
Ephesians 4:23
Be made new in the attitude of your mind.
Romans 12:2
Be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your MIND so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
1 Corinth 2:16
But we have the MIND of Christ.
What I am learning, I offer to you.
What is your “Bathsheba” struggle today? Where does your MIND need to focus on it’s own business?
I shared with you, will you share with me?
Needed this today! Same here! Thank you for the encouragment!
Marty I am honored to know that God used my words to bless you my friend!!!
p
Transparency….that’s what makes Pat so REAL. Like Jesus, who was tempted in every area…that’s what makes him so REAL to us. I am dealing with some Bathsheba thinking. Dealing with some Christian leaders who have disappointed me and my instinct is to run and hide, far, far, away. But I know the Word says that my Body needs me and do not forsae the gathering together with the Saints and so much more in the last days. Thank you Pat, for being a REAL leader to us!
Cindy, thank you for sharing. I had a lot of visitors yesterday but no comments.
I have been praying that someone, somewhere was encouraged whether I knew it or not.
Thank you for letting me know that you were!!
xoxo
p
Cindy and , thank you for sharing. I had a lot of visitors yesterday but no comments.
I have been praying that someone, somewhere was encouraged whether I knew it or not.
Thank you for letting me know that you were!!
xoxo
p
Oh how this spoke to me! My daughters “ex” is getting remarried only and it’s only been 10 months since he left her. I am trying to not let this become an “idol” in my life – angry thoughts want to consume me. I just need to give it to God. But oh how I struggle!!thank you !
Thank you for sharing Anita. UNFORTUNATELY–I “get” the angry thoughts want to consume me! Trusting God with you. HE is has us HEMMED IN!!
blessings.
p
Hey Friend! It is tough stuff to be hurt, mistreated and usually with that, misunderstood. Satan wants you to stew and take great offense! I’ve been struggling with a hurtful mistreament of a ‘by marriage’ relative since Christmas…took me totally off guard, broke my heart. Everything I tried, nothing changed. God, keeps reminding me that He can be trusted with everything!!! And I, praise God, have come to know Him so well, that He IS who I run to! That is the best place we both can go. He doesn’t always change my offender, but always reminds me of His love and what I can truly count on! I love you and as I read through your post began praying for you. There is no one who loves us more than our Saviour. Take courage and comfort there AND read through the Forgiveness chapter of Surrendering the Secret 😉 And listen to Matthew West’s FORGIVENESS…. It is GREAT! Satan’s bait is Offense! Don’t get hooked, even if you are right about everything! If your offender prays, he/she will be in the Prensence of One who loves you so! “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength!” Is 30:15.
Good stuff lady 🙂
xoxo
p
I hope whoever reads this can follow me:
Years have gone by where areas of my past (testimony) have been hidden and almost sealed…I just think I wasn’t ready. A website by April Allen who had a link to “Surrendering the Secret” helped me so much which brought me to this website. Anyhow, today my husband, very led by the spirit, told me he shared a part of my testimony and that it truly ministered to the folks present at the meeting….. Okay, let me breathe… So my mind and emotions were leading me to this type of thinking…
“That was MY testimony, not yours..”
“You weren’t being led by the spirit, you don’t know when to keep your mouth shut…”
“I am going to be rejected”
“How can I stand up there on Sunday and lead worship!?”
“I’m going to make people uncomfortable”
Bathsheba thinking……I began to build a case against my husband…..but, then it came back around to “innocent little me”, because I wasn’t just building a case against my husband but the authority figures God has placed in my life, so ultimately I was building my case against GOD! My Lord…
Just yesterday God pointed out, corrected me (ouch) of the contradictions regarding submission to the authority figures in my life….Today, the matter with “MY” testimony pinpointed an area of shame that I have not dealt with and not only that, but how the wrong thinking associated with needing the approval of man will have me do things that are not of God. This cannot remain.
I am glad I took it to God in prayer and he led me into His thoughts towards me and He led me to this very website. I am so grateful that although this is an old post, this is hitting home with me today.
Melissa, I am so glad you stopped by for this particular “word”. My website is being redesigned so I have neglected updated my blog post. I guess this was being saved just for you 🙂
Blessings!!
Pat