Climate Change

Climate Change

My mood can shift faster than a cheetah at dinner time because of one, negative interaction that lasts only 15 seconds. And before I know it, I've let that 15 second conversation control my thoughts and attitude for the rest of my day.

It's amazing how quickly moods can shift. It only takes one negative interaction with one person in a 24-hour period to dramatically change the climate of our minds. 

But, should it be that easy? Should it really be that simple to change our moods on a dime if we are truly walking in the Holy Spirit? Shouldn't He be the One to whom we are surrendering every thought, every reaction and every attitude? And if it really is that simple to let one negative interaction control the attitudes of our hearts over Christ, than how can we proclaim that we are surrendered wholly to Him?

I struggle with this. This being the attitude of my heart, and how easy it is for me to surrender my thoughts to the obscurities of this world vs. "hav[ing] the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16b).

I'm defensive. I'm cynical. I usually (...ok...always...) want the last word in an argument. I seek people's approval in little ways in just about everything I do; I don't always want public affirmation for those things, but in the depths of my heart I crave it.

I am filled with a lot of negative attributes. But one thing is for sure...

I am Christ's. And He is mine. He has made me (and continues to make me...day after day, after day...etc. into eternity) into a new person! A person who is no longer bound by negative thoughts, or the evil ways of this world, but one who is made alive in Christ! I am no longer enslaved by my sinful nature, which wages war against my soul day in and day out; but I am saved by the grace and mercy of my Lord, Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!

Paul says it perfectly,

"But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." (Romans 7:17-25 MSG)

So I will take another step towards becoming more like Christ. I anticipate fumbles and stumbles, but one thing remains; I am saved. And I have a savior who is ready to pick me up in all my messes, bandaid in hand, to lift me up and push forward in His path- where the climate is consistent and the son shines brightly.