A Beauty-Full Heart

This past week my heart has been, like so many people's, heavy. It's not just a state of mind kind of heavy  but physically I feel a deep sadness over the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

At first, after the shock dissipated, I tried to comprehend what would cause a person to commit such an evil act of violence, but I couldn't. It is totally inconceivable to me and I like it that way.

I really don't want to understand the depth of the depravity. I don't want to let the influences of evil have any room in my head or heart. The lyrics to a Casting Crowns song "Slow Fade" are streaming through my thoughts..."be careful little 
eyes what you see".

Ephesians Chapter 5 warns us about this very thing. When you have a minute ( hopefully today) read the entire chapter. Verse 11 says "have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." 

"Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise as but as wise". Ephesians 5: 15

Scripture warns us to keep the things of evil from our minds and not o exalt them but to expose them for the evil acts that they are. When we focus our attentions on these things it produces anxiety. The events of last Friday brought me right back to the awful feelings I had surrounding the September 11th  attacks.  I felt anxious.

I have had a choice to make this week. I could listen to the endless stream of media reliving every detail of December 14th or I could turn it off.

 I turned it off.  I chose not to give the acts of evil any more attention. I cast them off as darkness

 Not thinking about the evil does not mean that I have forgotten about the event or stopped feeling the grief for the loss of life and the devastation to the families of the victims. But I have chosen to look tot he acts of kindness of people helping each other.   have chosen to focus on how God is using people to love and care for one another.

Scripture also tells us not to be anxious about anything but to turn to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6) and to fill our minds with good things.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8

What fills our minds enters our body and eventually changes our hearts and our hearts direct our actions.  "above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Ladies, if you want to live a beauty-full life than you must guard your hearts and minds. I pray that this Christmas and the year 2013 will find your hearts overflowing with the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. That HIS peace will keep you and His joy will be your strength.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Think Lovely,
ruthann