Content Yet Still Wanting - Lesson 7 - The Mind's Eye

Introduction

The phrase "mind's eye" refers to the human ability for visual perception, Imagination, visualization, and memory, or, in other words, One’s ability to "see" things with the mind.

I believe our memory gets distorted over time.
Some things we block out and start to eventually forget.
Some things we amplify and make worse.

Do you have a victim mentality?
Is everyone out to get you?
Are you where you are in life because of someone else?

You are in control.
You cannot always control what is around you.
But you can always control how you react to it.

I believe that we allow our mind to control us.
Our mind holds us back.
Our mind reminds us of past pain and paralyzes us.
Our mind reminds us of past failures
And holds us back or even
Sabotages us from future ventures.

Your opening thoughts…





Proverbs 23:7, ‘For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.’

Evil thoughts – you are evil.
Happy thoughts – you are happy.

Agree or disagree?





Happiness never comes when you make it the goal.
Happiness is a byproduct of doing what you are supposed to do.

1Co 13:11, ‘When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.’

I used to believe in Santa clause and the tooth fairy.
I don’t any more.
I used to believe I was going to have a corvette
And live in a log cabin.
I don’t anymore.

Do you see a difference there?
Some things we need to forget.
Some things we forgot that we shouldn’t have.

What do you have to say about this verse?
Is there something you are still trying to put away?
Is there something you put away that you probably shouldn’t have?





Newton's first law of motion is often stated as:
An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Is there any sign that you are a work in progress?
Or are you in the same or weaker spiritual state than you were a year ago?
Are you an object at rest?
Are you an object in motion?
Are you moving in the right direction?

Proverbs 12:5, ‘The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.’

Which are you?
You are right and know you are in line with God.
Or do you go around taking a census with everyone you know
To see if they are in agreement with you?





Proverbs 21:5, ‘The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.’

Diligent and hasty sound pretty similar.
Let’s look at some synonyms.

Diligent: hard-working, industrious, assiduous, meticulous, conscientious, thorough, attentive & careful

Hasty: quick, speedy, hurried, swift, rapid, rushed & fast.

Which category do you fall into?
If you answer diligent, you have to give us advice.
If you answer hasty, you have to tell us what you are going to do different.





Romans 12:3, ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.’

Earlier I spoke about us thinking too low of ourselves
What about here where we are warned
about thinking too highly about ourselves.

What are some examples where we might be guilty of this?





For some people we come across it is hard to find something positive to say.
They are down there letting their kids run around
Like loquacious spider monkeys.

Their kid knocks over our child and they think it is funny.
I can’t even compliment them on their outfit,
I don’t even like what they are wearing.

What advice do you have for me there?





Here is another group of eight (new beginnings)

Philippians 4:8, ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.’

What practical advice do you have to help me apply this to my life?





The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. – Benjamin Franklin


Romans 12:2, ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’

What advice do you have for us here?





Let’s not use this as an excuse,
Yes it is a process,
No we will not ever achieve perfection,
Let’s not use that as an excuse to justify minimal growth,
To not grow.
Or to blatantly backslide.

Transformed, meaning someone we haven’t seen in a while
Should notice a difference in us.
And not say things like,
They are more miserable now than I remember.
They complain more now than they used to.
I can’t believe they haven’t had a heart attack yet.

Renewing meaning:
Renovate, refurbish, repair, restore, mend, make good, replenish, revamp,

Is your mind renewing, in the simplest meaning, to be new again.
Or is it the same as it has been for years,
Just as bitter,
Just as negative,
Just as critical,
Just as cold,
Just as defensive?
Conclusion

Our minds eye is not real.
It is distorted.
Either we distorted it over time,
Or others or situations have distorted it.

Has television distorted it by what we have seen?
Let’s not blame the TV.
We have distorted our mind by allowing it in.

Has my peers at work distorted it.
Again, I cannot blame them as I was there egging them on.

Let’s not be the victim.
If we believe we are a victim to those around
We then believe we are helpless to change anything around us.
You are not a victim.

You may have gone through something traumatic
That we will never understand
You may have been a victim at one time,
But you are not a victim.

You are in control.
You are a survivor.
And you are never alone.

You cannot always control what is around you.
But you can always control how you react to it.

Do not allow your mind to hold you back.
Or to paralyze you to inactivity.
Focus on the promises He has given you.
Focus on what He has asked us to focus on.
He has an awesome plan for you.
Don’t give us as He hasn’t given up on you.

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