Prone to Wander, Heart Remember

I really started hearing from God during my junior year of high school.

His voice was in the form of soft whispers to my heart that I would jot down in my notes app.

A simple voice that gave me a way out of the narrow life I was living.

Yes, many of the things I was doing were good, but they were not best. Some were even part of my purpose- but they weren’t the point.

He was leading me into more + showing me that there was life beyond achievement.

He was teaching me that my life wasn’t all about me. And it’s a journey I’m still on.

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The truth is that the Lord has given us a role in this world.

By coupling our natural gifts from Him with the talents we’ve trained for, we are able to accomplish this role.

No matter if we were born with a talent or obtained it from years of practice, we have something to offer one another. God can take our abilities and use them for His purposes.

Key part of the statement above- for HIS purposes.

This is what we, and especially myself, must come back to.

It is so easy to get into a self-seeking mindset. especially when we fail to take our thoughts captive and remind ourselves of what God desires from us.

From my experience, self-seeking doesn’t usually lend to long-term success.

Instead, it leads to self-obsession, and then, inevitably, self-loathing as we find out just how flawed we are.

Ridding ourselves of self-centeredness is not something that happens overnight.

Our hearts are so prone to wandering.

So it takes consistency because, in a day’s time, we are faced with a myriad of opportunities to believe negative things about ourselves, our circumstances, and our future.

Comparison to another person can cause us to believe life is a competition.

Rejection can make us believe we will never be chosen.

A grade that didn’t meet our expectations can tempt us to believe we are dumb.

Interrupted plans can make us believe our day is ruined.

Societal pressure can make us fear missed opportunities.

Mistakes can make us feel as though we “aren’t Christian enough.”

Rain can make us believe it will never be sunny again.

An argument with a loved one can make us believe we are a bad person.

Acknowledgement of mismanaged time can make us feel like we are incapable of focusing.

Praised performance can make us believe perfection is where our worth is.

Diet culture can make fear weight gain.

Anddd there are many other examples I could give.

We all have our own individual triggers that can set us down a tailspin of negativity if we are not careful.

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Last week, as I was facing some negative thoughts that were causing me to feel as though I was losing my footing, I felt God leading me back to level ground .

He told me that I just needed to remind my heart of a few things.

Taming our soul is as simple as reminding our hearts of the Truth.

When faced with comparison: Heart, remember God says sizing ourselves up against other people is ignorant.

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

When faced with rejection: Heart, remember that, although I am trying so hard to be seen, right now, God may want me hidden.

At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.”

Isaiah 60:22 (NLT)

When faced with a bad grade: Heart, remember that I don’t have to be perfect.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

When faced with interrupted plans: Heart, remember that, although I make my plans, the Lord determines my steps.

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

When faced with societal pressure: Heart, remember that my timeline doesn’t have to match someone else’s.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

Psalms 138:8 (ESV)

When faced with mistakes: Heart, remember His power is made perfect in my weakness.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

When faced with rainy days: Heart, remember the Lord has a purpose for every season.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

When faced with arguments with a loved one: Heart, remember we are both imperfect humans, and grace is available for the both of us.

"Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye."

Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV)

When faced with awareness of mismanaged time: Heart, remember the Lord has given me a sound mind and the freedom to move forward without guilt.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)

When faced the spirit of perfectionism: Heart, remember I am free to be known, not just admired.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:16 (NIV)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;

Revelation 12:11(KJV)

When faced with diet culture: Heart, remember my identify is not in jeopardy when my physical appearance changes.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 (ESV)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

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Clearly, guarding our hearts is a daily endeavor. By using Scripture to combat the lies our triggers tempt us to believe, we can walk through any fire unscathed

So, if you find yourself wandering this week, know that returning to the Savior is as simple as saying

“heart remember…”

with love,

bailee chavez <3

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Prayer:

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

(Lyrics from the song Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing)