Reset Your Mind

There are days when I don’t have it together or I feel that things are a bit out of control. 

I know that I am not alone.

Some days simply wear down your emotions to where you are more sensitive. At the moment I know that I am not functioning as the best version of myself. I recognize that I need to reset.

So what now? How do we reset?

First, you need to simply allow time to wind down. Rest. Quiet the mind. I have found that the best way is to put my mind on something else.

Vent if you can. Find someone you can confide in without being judged. Many times I just want to let it out without someone trying to fix it. There is a time for advice and a time to be heard.

Write in a journal. If you don’t feel comfortable confiding in someone then write it in a journal. Also do NOT post on social media. People do not need to know everything!

We all need time to reset ourselves when we have days that beat us up. We are not robots. We have feelings and emotions.

Everyone is different. You need to find the best method which works best for you. Just make sure that you have one. Don’t let your depleted emotions defeat you.

“Reload your mind; reset with the right mindset.” Delphanie Frank

Heroes of the Faith

We all need a little help along the way. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I have needed help from others on my journey. None of us can do it alone. For me there have been people who have come in and out of my life to encourage or inspire me in some way to keep running this race.

Romans 1:11-12 says, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."

They are my personal heroes of the faith. When I think about it, these are the people who immediately come to mind:

M.O. Sweat
My grandfather was the first one I recall looking up to and had a deep respect for. He was an old-time preacher man but he genuinely cared for his family and for people. Unfortunately, he passed away several years ago but his impact is still on my life today. I still have a video clip of when he once talked about how proud he was of me for sticking with God. That has encouraged me many times.

Bruce Scotton
My father was a preacher and would often schedule for evangelists to come to our church.  Bruce was an African-American evangelist who came to our church in Villa Rica, Georgia for a revival. This was the first time I recall receiving salvation. When we had other evangelists in our home, I was always invisible but Bruce included me. I remember fondly playing a handheld electronic football game with him.  He wasn't just a preacher but he was a real person to me. 

Eddie Smith
In one of the first churches my dad was appointed as pastor where we actually had young people close to my age, Eddie was the main one of the group and was a leader. I looked up to Eddie and he always someone you could talk to. 

Bubba Cardin
I first met Bubba when he was my counselor in church summer camp. He had an amazing way of teaching and making the Bible come alive. The first impression he made was his version of the song “He’s Alive” which he played on his banjo.  

Gary Lewis
One of my fellow preachers kids I first met in summer camp and other church events. We always had fun and always had a good laugh - many times at ourselves. He has become an inspiring minister.

Jay Thornton
Another fellow preachers kid I grew up with. At church camp we loved playing basketball and we also shared our love for our high school football teams. Jay is currently a pastor and just an overall great guy to know.

Gerald Green
Became my pastor. He was always a friend and came along to encourage me when I was going through some difficult times with my family. He even went to high school football games with me.

Lanis Lewis
Also a preachers kid (Gary’s brother) who I also met in church camp. He always fun to be around and one of the best preachers I have known. His sermons have always inspired and challenged me to be a better person.

Although I don’t interact with these regularly, I have been in contact with some throughout the years thanks to social media. The amazing thing is that when I do, it’s almost like we have never been apart. I also know that if I ever needed them they would support me in anyway they could. Their prayers and encouragement have helped me more than they will ever know. They are truly my heroes of the faith. I have been a better man because I have known them.

Am I Enough?

When you are alone with your thoughts, do you ever wonder if you are enough?

I do and I have.

Am I enough as a husband?
Am I enough as an employee?
Am I enough as a Christian?

I never feel like I am enough. Some of you may feel the same way. Imposter but pretending to have it together. Honestly I never feel like I have it together.

Am I down on myself? No. Just being transparent. Someone told me recently they struggled with "imposter syndrome".  Imposter Syndrome is a persistent self-doubt and a feeling of being a fraud despite evidence of our achievements.  We do enough to get by but never feel totally confident in ourselves.

What if we are exposed? What if people know the truth about us?

Those fears haunt us.

The one thing that we can be absolutely sure about is that God thinks we are enough. That’s the thing that I hold onto. Even those days I don’t feel I am enough, God tells me that I am.

God knows us. He knows our worth isn’t our job or what we do. He’s not impressed with a title.

We cannot let ourselves be weighed down by self-judgment and concern about your ability to make God accept you. We can't make Him love us more. The Creator of the Universe already loves us enough to sacrifice everything in order to be with us. He's loved us since the beginning of time, when He planned for our existence.

God's love is personal. He knows each of us individually and loves us personally. His is a mighty love that has no beginning and no end.

I am reminded of the song “I am a friend of God” by Israel Houghton

Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it's amazing
[Chorus]
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

It’s not about being religious with God. It is about relationship. He wants to have a relationship with us. We are enough when we are a friend of God.