Taking Responsibility and Authority
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
We have the authority and the responsibility to choose our attitudes, thoughts, and responses to life's circumstances. It is so much easier to put the blame and responsibility on others or even God.
The truth is the responsibility of what we think on belongs to us. Thankfully, along with the responsibility to guard our thought life comes the authority to take hold of our thoughts and emotions with the Word of God and cast down wrong ways of thinking. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Taking responsibility for our thoughts and emotions means we don't depend on others to fix things. We can definitely receive wisdom and sound counsel from others, but the responsibility for what we think and how we act is still our choice.
Taking authority over our thoughts and emotions means that we use the Word of God to take hold of wrong thoughts and cast them down with the truth of the Word of God.
When Paul wrote to the Philippian church, he was in prison, an awful, disgusting, dark, cold prison. He writes to the church and says, "Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8) This is exactly what Paul was living out in his own life.
Most people in prison wouldn't write letters encouraging others. But because Paul understood that it was his responsibility and his authority to choose his attitude in his current circumstances, he rejoiced and believed that he would see God's goodness!
Just because evil thoughts or bad emotions come to us doesn't mean that we have to accept them. We can choose to assert our authority over them with God's Word and declare the truth.
The truth is, God loves us!
The truth is that God shall supply all of our needs!
The truth is, I am valuable, and God has a plan for my life!
The truth is that greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world!
The truth is that I am healed by the stripes of Jesus!
The truth is that God calls me righteous!
If we truly want to live free from past hurts and emotions, we must understand it's our responsibility to take hold of our thought life and use our God-given authority to cast down wrong thoughts and emotions and declare the truth of God's Word!
Remember, we love you, and we are praying for you.
Blessings,
Chloe
