Commit Your Work to the Lord and Your Thoughts Will Become Established

Proverbs 16:3 AKJV
(3)  Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.

In my business, occasionally a problem will arise that I really find troubling. The fact that I’m troubled by something that’s really a minor problem in the big picture is troubling in and of itself. That’s because I know better. And yet, deep down on the inside, I find myself concerned as though a bad end result is almost a certainty.

When the Bible warns against being double-minded, it points out the real issue or root of double-mindedness as being within the heart.

James 4:8 AKJV
(8)  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.

The writer of the Book of James, most likely the half-brother of Jesus, says to purify your heart if you’re double minded. In other words, part of you is fearful while the other part is looking to God. One eye is on God while the other is on the problem. Another way of putting it would be, the natural mind (the computer) spits out data separately from the inner you (the spirit on the inside). That’s why your head can suggest one course of action while your heart suggests another. There can be a conflict between the two.

For example, your head might tell you, “There may not be enough money next month to pay all the bills.”

That kind of thought can come to anyone.

On the other hand, you can make a choice to stand on God’s Word and trust in His love and faithfulness and move on with your day. Worry, or commit the situation to God in faith?

Recently, I was dealing with troubling thoughts. I received some negative news just as I was sitting down at the dinner table. I told myself I’d deal with it later but negative thoughts made it difficult to think about other things.

Afterward, I took the Bible and went to a quiet place where I could focus on God the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus without distraction. I mention all three because be I wanted to fill my mind with as much truth as possible – including the details. The right details can untie the knot of worry a lot faster than generalizations can.

After going over a few scriptures, I talked to the Lord about the situation. I was completely honest before God. As I prayed, the problem seemed to become less formidable and less intimidating in my mind. Shortly afterward, the feeling of worry lifted from within me. The problem seemed to transform from a living, multi-colored, three dimensional image to a faded black and white image. The negative feeling or emotion was gone, too.

Have you ever seen one of those motorcycles with a side cart? The real “you” is like the driver. The natural, carnal mind is like the person in the side cart. The passenger often gives negative advice and expects the worse (Romans 8:7).

Commit your works to the Lord. Don’t try to carry the load with your own strength. Once you do that, your thoughts will start to settle down and you’ll heart will become encouraged instead of discouraged.

Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37) and all things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23). Repeat those simple, straight-forward truths over and over again.

You can’t worry and believe at the same time. That’s what being double minded is. You have to deal with worry. Identify the lies that Satan uses to discourage you. Maybe it’s fear of loss, fear of pain or fear of being powerless in and of yourself.

The easiest way to overcome fearfulness is when you have a revelation of how much God loves you. That revelation can come to you while praying or while thinking about God’s Word. The Bible says we love God because He first love us (not the other way around) 1 John 4:19.

So whether we’re talking about worry or confusion (not knowing what to do next), begin practicing committing your work to the Lord. That doesn’t just go for the big things or the small things… that goes for everything. If you’re having problems on the job, commit that to the Lord and stop worrying. If you have a problem and have seem to come to a fork in the road – once again, commit that to the Lord.

I don’t know about you, but I like it when every challenge or problem has a quick resolution. Life doesn’t work that way, though, does it? No, sometimes situations seem to test our patience to the fullest extent. The good news is, the Bible already gave up a “heads up” about that, too.

James 1:3-4 AKJV
(3)  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.
(4)  But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Wanting nothing sounds good to me.

A quick reminder – the cross answers everything. Whenever I feel that I’ve blown it or I’m suffering from problems I’ve basically created myself, I consider Jesus on the cross who died and took on the curse so I could be free and part of God’s family and kingdom. Whenever I feel at a loss for what to do next, at the very least, I consider the cross and the grace of God. I don’t just think about it, I open my mouth and proclaim freedom, victory, healing or anything else I may have need of through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Yes, the bible says we’re seated with Christ in heavenly places. It says we have power and authority against the devil, demons and evil spirits in the name of Jesus. But it’s the cross that makes all these things possible. Consider these words the next time you face an obstacle –

Galatians 2:19-21 AKJV
(19)  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live to God.
(20)  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(21)  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.