Feeding your Faith

 

You know I’m finding? It’s super easy to be negative! So I set about looking at some Biblical principles that I could structure into my week, for the sole purpose of feeding my soul. Here’s what I came up with:

Day 1 – Paul wrote “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” So take a walk for the sole purpose of praying. How does it work? You simply take a walk… outside. Just around the block will do … but try to imagine that Jesus is on that walk with you. As you think about that, make a note of all the things that you can see that you want to say to Jesus “thanks”. It doesn’t have to be a big thing .. small works! And then just go ahead and thank God for that thing. Why? Well simply because you can’t be negative and thankful all at the same time.

Day 2 – Turn off the negative news. I know, we’re bombarded right now, so turn it off (don’t worry it will still be there when you return!). If you’re prone to have quite a negative outlook, turning off what is feeding your negativity will help. I think that hope is the energy of our souls. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says that faith (in God) and hope are linked. Faith is the confidence we have that our source of hope is trustworthy (Hebrews 11:1). So as I turn off the negative, worldly thinking that fills my head, and I turn to God in faith – my hope is restored.

Day 3 – Rejoice. I mean … actually immerse yourselves in worship music. For you that could be reading and singing some hymns. It could be that you load your phone with a worship playlist and put it on repeat. Honestly, one of the best ways I know to help me get out of my negative rut is to focus my heart on worshipping Jesus. The Bible tells us to pour out our souls to God (Ps. 42:4) and lift up our souls to Him (Ps. 25:1).

Day 4 – Money doesn’t buy happiness. We know that. However, I’ve been told that having rich friends makes a difference! ha ha! (I’m not sure that’s right BTW!) But .. I do know that “rich” friends help us stay positive. Wise friends who can lift up hearts and rich friends to have indeed! What the proverb says about friends is true – Solomon exhorts us to “walk with the wise” (Proverbs 13:20). So why not schedule a Zoom meeting with a friend who you know will encourage your spirit?

Day 5 – Smell the Roses. Literally this is what I have been doing. I have some beautifully scented roses and jasmine in the garden at the moment and getting out in the garden has been great relieve for me. If you don’t have a garden, just go for a walk and stop to praise God for his creation. As you do, meditate on what Psalm 19 says about God in creation.

Day 6 – Make a Gratitude visit – I love this! Paul says in Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Last month Lorrie spent a few hours making cards for our church members and sent them out via post. Last week I roasted some coffee and took great delight in delivering some all over town. I genuinely hope that the people I delivered it to enjoyed it but you know what? This was all for me! It’s good for my soul to be generous.

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