Calling all Over-thinkers

The biggest enemy we fight is between our own two ears. Let that sentence soak in your mind for a minute. My pastor said that while he was preaching a few Sunday nights ago and it really hit me. The biggest battle I fight daily is contending with the lies that Satan tries to put into my head. In a matter of minutes, I can think that everyone is mad at me; when in reality, I am just over analyzing the conversations I have with people in my mind! Is anyone else like this? You let Satan get in your mind and twist reality. Really, the truth is no one is mad or upset with you but for some reason you cannot get past your own mind and wondering thoughts. Overthinking can kill your happiness in a matter of minutes. I am sad to say that I am an over thinker by nature. I can overanalyze a situation or conversation I have with someone until I am sick at my stomach. I have realized lately that this is not the life that God wants me to live. I am putting too much of my time and energy into things, that in the grand scheme of my life, are miniscule. So I ask myself, Maci, why live like this?

Lysa TerKeurst, in her book Uninvited says, "If we allow our thoughts to stink, that smell will leak out of every bit of us- our words, our actions, and especially our reactions."

This is so true. I am the person who lets my own thoughts ruin my day. Then eventually, it leads to ruining how I talk to people and how I react to people. Maybe I am not the only person who does this. Maybe we all get a little lost in our own thoughts sometimes. However, we have the power to overcome it. This is where I answered my question why live like this? The truth is I don’t have to life this way. I have the power of Jesus living inside of me to overcome every overanalyzing, negative, and unwanted thought that may try to come in my mind today. As believers, we must fix our thoughts on Jesus and He will change our perspective. This powerful song has been on repeat in my car lately. "But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand, that's when death was arrested and my life began" (Death Was Arrested, North Point Inside out). Jesus gave us freedom from any thoughts that may be consuming us. Jesus gives me freedom to live everyday consumed by his love. Jesus didn't die on the cross for us to live a defeated life; He died for us to live in victory. Today, I plan to stop letting my thoughts be my own worst enemy and I hope you do the same. I plan on "living loved" and choosing to trust the moments of clarity in the midst of chaos. Remember, God has got this!

P.S. Take a minute to listen to this song. I promise it will be worth it! :)