P.M.S. #4 & #5 Set and (Constantly) Renew Your Mind

Positive Mental Strategy #4 : Set your mind…and keep it set!

 “IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (Amplified Bible)

We have a responsibility and a job to do! How you keep your mind set is to fill it with right things. Write scripture on notecards and place them in places you will see several times a day. Leave yourself notes on your mirror, in your car, on the computer or on the door of your fridge. Make a conscious effort!

Don’t know where to begin? Try Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “

Positive Mental Strategy #5 : Renew your mind.

"Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24 

Note the aggressive nature of the word strip. This is not a polite asking. This is an aggressive, harsh, deliberate action! You can't be soft on your flesh. You must get aggressive if you are going to get victory in the area of your thoughts and emotions.

The phrase "be constantly renewed" indicates that this is something we have to keep doing. Don’t get discouraged. We live in an imperfect world. We have to be constantly alert and active. You are going to slip and struggle. The important thing is that you keep going and keep your focus on the Source of your strength. 

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” Romans 12:2 

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7a

Your thoughts have a direct impact on the person you are. Again, you can’t control the thoughts that come but you can control what you do with them.

 

 

P.M.S. #3: Just Do It!

Don’t wait to feel like it. You can’t control the feelings you get, but you can control what you do with them.

I would have to say that the closet thing we have in the Bible to a hormonal women is King David. :) Just read Psalms. One day he is on top of the world. The next he is the scum of the earth. He is ready to take down nations. Then everyone is against him. But it is a wonderful example because he showed that we will have a mixture of emotions and feelings but that in the midst of (not in the absence of) it all we can still trust in, rely on, and give praise to God.

Feeling depressed, worried, moody? Follow David’s example.

"The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. ⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. ⁵ I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. ⁶ I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land." Psalm 143:3-6

Satan and negativity are our enemies. How often have you felt crushed to the ground? Here, to "dwell in darkness" equals depression. Note the different tone in verse 5. Instead of dwelling on these feelings he began to meditate on the power of God; He says ,"I will!" He makes a choice despite his feelings. Then he doesn’t just chase away the negative feelings, he seeks to be filled up with God.

Look at Psalm 42:5. "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Here again we see David making a choice despite how he feels! We have to stop bowing down to our feelings! We must stand in the power and authority of the almighty God!

Don’t just take it – take action!

P.M.S. #2: Take it Captive!

Positive Mental Strategy #2: Take it captive!

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Take every thought captive… And do it immediately! Don’t wait until you’ve entertained the thought long enough to let it get out of control, wreck your mind and then start attacking others! The minute you have negative, bitter thoughts enter your mind...Take them down! Make them obedient to Christ!

When you take something captive you don’t ask politely, you use force! We are commanded to get aggressive. Satan is not gentle with us. Don't be gentle with him. The Scripture tells us that once we accept Christ we then have the mind of Chirst. The instant something enters your mind which is contrary to the mind of Christ recognize it for the trash that it is and refuse to let it take root. 

 

P.M.S. #1: Be Still!

Think about this…When a tire blows on your car, do you keep traveling down the road at 60 mph and just hope it will work itself out eventually? No! You slow down, pull over, take a look and get about fixing the problem! To keep going would be to invite disaster for yourself and others.  So I believe the answer to our hormonal issues is P.M.S. :)

P.M.S. - Positive Mental Strategy (This is how we will triumph over hormones!) We all need some

P.M.S.! So the next time a man rolls his eyes and says, “Must be PMS." I want you to think about this and say, “You are absolutely right, you wonderful thing you!” And give him a big smile!!

 
Positive Mental Strategy #1:  Be still!

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God," We need to be still not just in body but in mind! Like pulling your car over. Don’t wait to see what happens! As soon as you hear that first thud you’d better pull that thing over! Run to a quiet place. Shut the door, and be still before God. Pour your heart out, and give Him a chance to pour into you all that you need. God knows that we go through these things. He created us! I believe He is sensitive to our needs and ready to help us out. But He won’t force Himself on us.

So go to God and be still. If all you can pray is “Help me! Help me!” God understands.