QUESTION THOSE ASSUMPTIONS

READ: PHILIPPIANS 4:12-13

MEDITATION VERSE

“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Have you ever wondered why you react to situations the way you do? Anytime you encounter a particular situation, a chain of events take place inside us. You first interpret or give meaning to what occurred and develop an attitude about it. The attitude then affects your feeling and emotions, which in turns affects the thoughts that build up inside you. Your thoughts affect the actions you take in response to the event and the actions you take affect the outcome achieved. If your interpretation of the event was a negative one, the attitudes you develop about it will be a negative one and this will trickle all the way down to the outcomes you get. If on the other hand the interpretation or attitude was positive, it will trickle down to a positive outcome. It therefore follows that the greatest determinant of your level of joy and fulfillment in life is primarily determined by the meaning you give to the happenings in your life.

The story is told about two ladies who were suddenly laid off from an organization. The first lady said “how can they do this to me after giving 30 years of my life. What am I going to do? I am done for”. The second lady said, “Oh I have learnt so much in these 30 years, I look forward to deploying all the knowledge to starting my own business”. Life will always happen, but your interpretation of what has happened will determine whether you bounce back and succeed or whether you remain stuck in a mud.

You can choose the meaning you give to situations. The way you perceive an event is not the only way. Nothing means anything except the meaning you give to it, and the meaning you give to it is not the only meaning. Options are always available and the more in control you are of your thoughts, the more the options will be. If you have only one option, take a pause, because your emotions may have overruled you. When you feel overly stressed by a situation, ask yourself, “how is my current interpretation undermining me? What am I assuming that is not serving me? How else can I view this?

Learn to question the assumption behind your interpretations, and change your perspective about yourself, others, and your environment. The glass may be half empty, but excuse me, that same glass is also half full.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.