Yep, it’s Monday again. Those weekends go by fast, don’t they? I hope this week is amazing for you. But if it’s not, if today is a struggle, don’t stuff your thoughts and feelings down again to make it through. Don’t just survive until your next day off. When you have a moment, ask God, “Why do I feel this way? Why am I thinking these things? Where is all this stress coming from?”
You may think you know what the source is—a deadline, a massive to–do list, a difficult situation you have to handle. But the problem is rarely the real problem. If you stripped away all your responsibilities, are those feelings still there? If they are, take time with Jesus. Let Him show you where the fear, anxiety, frustration, bitterness, and sadness are coming from. Maybe it’s an old wound in need of forgiveness to heal. It could be you don’t fully trust God, because you’re afraid to not be in control. Perhaps it’s a core belief you’re unworthy of love unless you perform well enough for it.
When you see a root, ask the Lord how He wants you to deal with it. You may need to receive forgiveness. Or give it. Whatever it is, do what He’s telling your heart. Then give it to Him as an offering. Literally lift your arms as if that thing is a tangible object. I know that may sound weird and simplistic, especially if it’s something big. But even if it’s something you need to process again, or deal with in counseling, the act of saying “this is Yours, Lord,” begins to take the burden from your shoulders, and puts it in His arms.
Thank Him. Thank Him until you can see how free He’s made you. Now ask the Lord to show you how He sees your relationships and responsibilities. Ask Him to tell you how He sees you. Instead of letting your circumstances define your mindset and mood, trust Him again with your identity. Let Him replace the dark thinking with His incredible thoughts of you. Let your heart be so full of His love, joy, and peace there’s no room for anything negative.
This isn’t fortune–cookie psychology. This is King David- “Why is my soul so downcast? Why am I so sad? I will put my hope in God” (Psalm 43). This is the renewed mind, that demonstrates the goodness and wholeness of God’s will for your life (Romans 12). This is the power of Paul’s “think on these things” list of meditating on what is “true, honorable, good, right, pure, and beautiful”, displacing everything in your mind that isn’t (Phil. 4). This is the encouraging truth given to Timothy that “God has not given us over to a spirit of fear”. Just the opposite, we are designed to live every day in God’s “power, love, and with a sound mind” ( 2 Tim. 1).
This IS the Gospel—that Christ saves you, not just to barely make it to heaven, but renews, blesses, and empowers who you are here and now. This is being honest enough to stop the “fake it ’til you make it” religion, and let God’s grace actually transform your heart, your mind, your life, your world. God doesn’t budget His grace. He has more than enough to make your Monday amazing.
Equip Your Spirit 