I had strayed away from some Joyce Meyer teachings in the last year. I did this on purpose. I discovered Joyce Meyer not long after I became a Christian. I really love much of her teachings, but I wanted to explore other writers and other opinions. I am not usually swayed by negative opinions, so those that don't like her really didn't effect me. However, I felt like God wanted me to read other writers also to gather other views and pray about what I believe.
However, I am very happy that I picked up this book from the library. I had gotten myself and my thinking kind of messed up over the last little while. I spend a lot of time serving and teaching at church and haven't gotten to absorb a lot of teaching the way I need. I have been led a lot of different ways recently, and that has helped me in areas that I needed some help in. It has also helped me to see and understand the points of views of other people and other denominations. It has opened my heart to not be just narrow minded about the denomination in which I have raised.
However, I am beginning to realize that I believe what I believe for many truthful reasons. That doesn't shut me off from other points of views, but actually gives me a basis to judge for myself. Certain things in my denomination aren't actually what I wholeheartedly believe, but neither is any other denomination either. Some doctrine is opinion, not entirely Biblically based. However, I am stronger in my own faith in Christ now.
The last few months have been tough for me. I've let my thoughts and emotions run more wild than I should. I have let myself get offended and hurt by actions of other people. I haven't trusted God to handle things the way I should. Even when I pray to Him to take control, I often just pick the worry or hurt about situations right back up when I am reminded of them. This has left me suffering spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. I have been so stressed about some things that I am physically getting ill. That is not something that can continue.
The book Power Thoughts by Joyce Meyer has been wonderful so far. I am about half-way through the book so far, and it is truly helping me to get my thoughts back in order. Joyce Meyer tells it like it is without a lot of fancy mumbo-jumbo. She is blunt in her preaching. She knows that our thoughts get us into trouble. Negative thoughts lead to words we shouldn't say and actions we shouldn't do. It's not just a happy, positive self-help book. Joyce Meyer believes that we should meditate on Scripture. She believes that we can choose what we think. She has seen the proof in her life that our thoughts, when they are Godly thoughts, can radically change our lives. The Bible is living. It is the Word of God. In it contains the words and thoughts of God. To think what it says and to speak what it says is life changing. It brings us closer to thinking and speaking and living like Jesus, Our Savior. The Bible is the Living Word for a reason.
Millions of people call themselves Christians. How many are walking the walk? I want to be one that loves Jesus with all that I have inside me. I want to live a life surrendered to my Savior. He has placed me in this mission field of my home. Am I truly representing Christ to my children? Am I honoring, respecting, and loving my husband the way He has called me to? Am I showing Christ even when situations make me want to run away crying? Am I trusting Him to handle those situations? What can I do to draw closer to God?
The first step is to get my thinking back where it should be. The first step is important, because without Godly thinking in my own life, how can I ever teach my children about Godly ways? That is the purpose in my home for homeschooling. Academics are important, but nothing is as important as teaching my children about Christ's love and ways. They are growing up in a world where being a genuine Christian gets them labeled a fanatic. Many Christians in the world are persecuted heavily, even unto death. In America we have freedom, but slowly those freedoms are being taken away by small interest groups with their own agendas. However, I am not going to live in fear (Power Thought #3). I am going to trust Christ that He has the future in His very capable hands.
These Power Thoughts in this book are wonderful. They have already lifted me up and helped me enormously. When I think them, meditate on them, I see Christ's will so much clearer than when my mind is consumed by the stresses and worries of the world. Normally I won't recommend a book without finishing it, but this is one that I feel can help so many others.
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