Where God's Word Meets Our Mess
Although Shawn Mendes' song "Stitches" is several years old, I didn't really get into it until recently. I was drawn to the sassy lyrics, the catchy beat, and Shawn Mendes’ voice—of course. But as I listened to this song over and over, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. Why was I listening to this depressing song about a difficult heartbreak with no resolution except…well…death?
When I was struggling with anorexia—but particularly when I was struggling with recovery—I let myself succumb to the victim mentality. This mentality believes that I didn’t choose anorexia but it, unfortunately, chose me. This mentality involves the notion of a cruel God who leads His children into eating disorders and doesn’t help them fight against Satan’s crippling lies in order to recover. But frankly, this mentality is wrong.
My day started out normally. I was proud of myself for eating a relatively light breakfast of cereal and milk because I knew that the cafeteria was serving a special dinner later that day. Thus, I was busy giving myself a pat on the back—until I stepped into that little coffee shop alongside my sister and a college friend.
I have a really bad habit of thinking these terrible, mean thoughts. I have a thought life that would make your skin crawl. Why are my thoughts about others so ugly and dirty?
During the sermon at church, I think about where we’re going to eat lunch after the service. As I read my Bible, I worry about my new job that’s starting soon. When I sing praise songs, I stare at the girl leading worship and wonder if she’s prettier than me. During prayer, I think about my blog stats and how to get more “likes” on my posts. Why can’t I simply think about the sermon that I’m hearing, the verses that I’m reading, the songs that I’m singing, or the words that I’m praying?
That's why we need to be careful about what we choose to look at and listen to. Maybe we’re not affected by every word we hear and every image we see. But when we continually fill our minds with immoral things, they begin to corrupt the way we think, speak, and act. But God calls us to be changed by the renewing of our minds.
That is why we must be very careful when we choose what to look at and listen to. Maybe we’re not affected by every word we hear and every picture we see, but when we continually fill our minds with those immoral things, they start to corrupt the way we speak and act.
Hi, friends! I hope you're having a wonderful winter and enjoying the weather, whether you live in the snowy mountains, the breezy beach, or somewhere in between! If you’re looking for some more great Christian resources to explore (like the five I shared in the fall), check these out.
Normally, my focus during church worship services isn't actually worship. But why do I struggle to focus? Why can't I ponder the words that I'm singing? Am I the only one who has trouble concentrating on God?
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 