Setting New Intentions
I have a deep desire within. A prayer that often rattles off my tongue in the early morning hours, while children are fast asleep, and darkness covers the earth. It is a prayer for great peace and joy, to cover the women I know and love.
Fear, anxiety, expectations, discontentment, perfection, these thoughts and emotions come from within the mind. We are being robbed daily, from the peace and joy Christ said was ours.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)
With 2020 a few days away, my heart aches and groans for the women around me. I hear tales of false belief, rumors of sorts, areas of change that are driven by the outward world, by others thoughts and desires. But what about what God would like to see in 2020? How would your life be different if you allowed Him to cultivate your thought life and constantly relied on Him, casting all your cares at His feet? I am talking about the ordinary spaces in your life, the thoughts within, that you simply surrender to- day in and day out. The thoughts that steal God's daily blessings and gifts from you. God's intentions for you are to be filled with great peace and joy, so that the light of Christ illuminates your very being. The light is not for selfish gain, rather for you to carry into the world and share it with others, so that they too, may be set FREE!
I like to talk about INTENTIONS this time of year. I want to hear what you are aiming for, how will you renew your mind to line up with Christ, and what your game plan is to get there.
Intention: a thing intended; an aim or plan.
When you have a plan, a purpose, and your very own road map, the "thought patterns" you desire to see change actually stand a chance, because intentions for your year, help you set intentions for your week, which lead to intentions for your daily life.
If you long for deep peace and unwavering Joy, you FIRST start in a place of GRATITUDE, which will lead to a place that is quiet, a space that reflects, and ultimately leads to a reset.
Setting New Intentions for Peace and Joy
1. Grab yourself a notebook or journal, pen, maybe a bottle of Frankincense Oil and your Bible.
2. Find a quiet space, carve out an hour or two.
3. First- Gratitude. What can you praise God for in 2019. List it all! Everything that comes to your mind.
4. Begin by reflecting on 2019, by opening in prayer- asking Christ to reveal areas, things, situations, people and anything that HE would call you to ponder on, and then- to give great grace.
- What were some areas of victory in your thought life?
-What are some areas of struggle in your thought life?
-What did your Bible study time look like?
-What did your prayer life look like?
-What circumstances came into your life? Did you respond or react to them? HOW?
-What default thoughts did you have? How did these affect your actions?
5. Pray again, acknowledging everything that came up, the good, and the hard. Recognize- are you running from circumstance, are you seeking relief, over knowing Jesus more? Are you able to express Gratitude in ALL things (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)? Ask Christ to show you how He would like you to grow you in peace and joy in the New Year.
-What is coming to your mind as you spend time in prayer?
6. What are 3 intentions you are going to set in the NEW YEAR that will aid in relying on Christ to provide PEACE and JOY?
-Write them down.
7. Remember Intentions.
-What are you going to do weekly and then daily to see these intentions through?
A life that is rich, is a life that is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Don't rely on yourself to change your thinking in 2020, surrender to Jesus and ask Him for help and guidance. You don't have to do this alone!
"And my lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed." (Psalm 71:23)