"God, The Lifter of my Head"

"God, the lifter of my head"

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." ~Psalm 3:3

Do you ever have days that you don't want to lift your head...you would rather stay in bed than face the outside world? I'm pretty sure we all have days like that! The cares of life can weigh us down at times. It can be anything from pressure on the job, relationship issues, stress of running a busy household, financial burdens, sickness...so many things can bog us down if we let it! And when we allow those feelings to take control, it's not pretty and it's definitely not a good place to be!

I've noticed in my own life, when I "allow" myself to get to this place, I start thinking about all the negative things that life has tossed my way. And let me tell you, my mind can bring up some past hurts and ugly messes real quick if I let it. Then before long, I'm in a sad, discouraged, poor pitiful me mindset. That's when I do not want to lift my head at all...I just want to wallow in that mud hole...and that's not good!  Do any of you relate?

Now, we can say, it's satan that's causing us to have those negative feelings, however, I kinda think we give him way too much credit for things we bring on ourself. Oh, he's lurking out there alright, but, as a child of God, we have control over our feelings, our desires and our thoughts! "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~Romans 12:2. We have a choice everyday between good and evil, joy and sadness, peace or discontent!  We can choose to stay in that negative, downtrodden mindset, or we can get up, crawl out of that muddy pit and say "not today!". “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!"  ~Deuteronomy 30:19.

So how do we change our negative mindset?  "Pray First" as my bracelet I wear everyday says! "Pray first" before you get out of bed, when the morning is new. I promise, when you start your day with God, just a 5 minute prayer will make for a much better day! "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  ~Psalm 16:11.

Next,  take the time to get in the Word! You will be surprised what a few minutes in His Word can do for you! "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." ~Hebrews 4:11
 
One more thing...find a scripture that ministers to your situation and memorize it. Then every time those negative thoughts pop in your head, quote that scripture, say it over and over every day until you have victory over those negative thoughts! My go-to scripture is Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you [me] declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". I claimed this scripture many years ago for my son and I will continue to cling to it every day for myself and my family!

Remember, it's a choice...what are you choosing today?  

Father God, thank you for giving me hope and a future. As Your Word declares You are the giver of life and life more abundantly. You are my strength and my source! Today, I choose to lift my head, I choose blessings, I choose joy, I choose life and life more abundantly in You. I give you all the praise, the honor and the glory, in Christ Name I pray, Amen.