Picture Jesus!

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report;      if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,                          think on these things.  

Philippians 4:8

So for the last few days I have been dwelling on the words of a good friend.  She and I had been a little frustrated (ok, a lot frustrated) with some things going on and we didn’t react very well to the situation.   We both felt bad and knew that we shouldn’t let things get to us like this, but sometimes we both would give in to the flesh.  She told me after thinking about everything, she thought I will not let things and/or people frustrate me to the point of me losing my witness---so she said I am going to start picturing Jesus in my mind when I feel the frustration rising up in me.  Starting at his feet and moving to his face I will think about Jesus.

Now I have put this to the test and when I start picturing Jesus in my mind, I couldn’t help but think about who he truly is and what he has done for me.  It is impossible to get upset, frustrated or mad when I do this.  I go back to a lesson that I learned a long time ago----‘Just Say the Name of Jesus’ was the name of the message and it was about when you found yourself in a situation that you didn’t know what to do, you didn’t know what else to say, you couldn’t find the words to pray---just say the name of Jesus, there is power in the name.  In fact, Matthew 1:21 says, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Even before he was born, we knew his name and knew that he would save us. 

So why do we slip so many times, why do we allow ourselves to get so frustrated with the woes of this life?  I may not have all the answers, but I do have this one… Satan.  He is the root of all evil, he is the author of confusion, he is the father of lies and he will do whatever it takes to get our eyes off Jesus, which includes getting angry and frustrated with things that really don’t matter.  So why wouldn’t we want to picture Jesus, when we are visualizing Jesus, our eyes, physical and spiritual, are on Him.

So as I begin a new week I will put this idea into action even more, but I have added something to go along with it.  I have found a couple of scriptures that I will focus on this week as well.  Psalm 37:8 says, ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret---it only causes harm’ and ‘Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God’ I Corinthians 10:31.  These scriptures remind me that anger, wrath, and frustration can and will cause harm and that no matter where I am or what I am doing I am to do it with honor and glory to God. 

I know in my heart and spirit that I am a true child of God, that I am a chosen child of Jesus Christ---I just have to get that straight in my mind and act like it! I have to let go of the flesh that is trying to control my actions and allow the Spirit of God to overtake the flesh and guide me to living a life that is pleasing to my Father and a life that speaks loudly in promoting my wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ!