| Thursday, March 30 |
Romans 8:6 |
Jesus said to him, "If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes."
IT IS POSSIBLE
As a psychologist, I’ve spent a lot of time studying why people do the things they do and what influences the decisions they make. One of the things that I’ve found is that what we believe has a big influence on the things we do. The things that we believe to be true guide our decisions.
Our family recently went skiing. While it had been nearly 20 years since I had last been skiing, I believed that I could do it. Overall, it was a successful trip, although there were several times as I headed down the mountain that I had to tell myself, “You can make it. You can do hard things.” The same was true with the kids. Dallas and I both reiterated to them that they are strong and brave and can also do hard things. We helped them to believe that they could learn to ski and that they would have fun. And you know what, they all did.
Our inner monologue guides our outward behavior. How many times does that inner voice tell us we can try something new? Or how often does it tell us the opposite? How often are we held back by our beliefs about ourselves?
In this verse, Jesus literally tells us all things are possible, if we believe. As Christians, we profess that the Bible is inspired by God and is his word to us. But internally, many times we do not fully believe what it says and do not embrace its words as truth. We let that inner voice get in the way. Instead, we listen to the things we see on social media, in the news or hear from others. If we are not vigilant, our inward beliefs begin to develop based on accepting these messages.
But what a promise we have in Jesus! He has told us all things are possible. Throughout this Lenten season, I am challenging myself — and I challenge you — to replace our inner monologues with these words from Jesus.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you peace. May it shape your beliefs and affect your behaviors. May you become more and more like your Father in thought and deed. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Dulcinea Rakestraw
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