As I was out on my walk early this morning, I was listening to a song by TobyMac called “I Just Need You” and it really resonated with me. I’ve had a lot of people on my heart lately, where I end up waking up in the middle of the night filled with the urge to pray.
I Just Need You Lyrics
“Last night put the heavy on me, Woke up and I’m feeling lonely
This world gotta a way of showing me (showing me)
Some days it’ll lift you up, Some days it’ll call you bluff
Man, most of my days I ain’t got enough
And all I know, Is You’re my only hope
When I’m up when I’m down (uh, huh), When the wolves come around (tell me)
When my feet hit the ground, I just need, I just need You
On my darkest days (uh, huh), When I’m losing faith (tell me)
No, it ain’t gon’ change, I just need, I just need You
Lord, I need You, Yeah, I just need You”
There’s so much truth in the lyrics… God is who we need, when we are in need. Lots of days we don’t have enough, but He is our only hope! What an encouragement!
So, I was walking this morning, listening to TobyMac and I thought about different ways that we can honor our bodies and our Heavenly Father.
Listen To Music
This is one of the ways I love to treat myself. If I’m in a bad mood, some music can cheer me right up. If I’m in a good mood, then music makes my mood even better! Often times, I find myself singing along to songs on my walks or moving & grooving in the house! Which brings me to my next point:
Get Your Move On
Did you know just a few minutes of movement every day can cause UNBELIEVABLE health benefits? It gets your heart rate up, releases a whole bunch of good hormones into your body, and makes you feel AMAZING! So, what are you waiting for? Throw on some tunes and start moving and grooving.
If you have time, going for a walk can be an awesome way to release some energy, de-stress, and you will be amazed at how great you feel afterwards. But, if you don’t have time to go for a walk, then just put a song on and dance for 3 minutes… that’s literally all it takes! So do yourself a favor and Get Your Move On!
Renew Your Mind
In Romans 12, the apostle Paul tells us to Be Transformed by the Renewing Of Your Mind. So what does this mean? From my experience, you can renew your mind in a lot of different ways.
Check out my book: Renew Your Mind: Maximize Your Potential
Bring Everything To The Lord In Prayer
God wants a real relationship with you, not just a fake, surface level one. This means that He wants to know what you are up to… what is troubling you. Jesus says in Matthew to Ask, Seek, and Knock. This creates a pretty powerful acronym: ASK!
We need to bring everything to God and ASK him about it. Not just the big things… not just the “really important” things. Let me say it this way… do you have a girlfriend that you can talk to for hours at a time? You tell her everything, and it usually turns into a conversation about it?
That’s the type of relationship that God wants with you. He wants you to bring your requests to Him.
Listen To Podcasts
This is another type of renewing of the mind that I love to do. Podcasts are a free resource out there, and there are literally thousands of podcasts available. If you have a subject that you want to learn more about, or you want to be encouraged and motivated, you’ll find a podcast about it. I love that I can learn while I am driving or walking!
Listen To Music
This one is so important that I had to list it twice in this blog! Music makes me feel so good, no matter what mood I am in. It helps me stop worrying about the little things, relax, and renew my mind. Give it a try! Find an artist that you like, and turn on some music!
Dive Into The Word
This one is also really important for renewing your mind. Dive into God’s Word… I promise that He will speak to you! Focus on each word of each verse. ASK what God is trying to teach you in this passage. Reflect and journal on this passage of scripture.
Open Up The Journal
The last way that I love to renew my mind is by journaling. Every morning, me and my hubby open up our gratitude journals and write down what we are thankful for. When we start each day with an attitude of gratitude, life seems so much easier. Being thankful for everything that God has provided for us really does change our outlook in life, even during the hard days.
Who We Need, When We Need
God truly is who we need, when we need Him. No matter what your circumstances are, I believe that God will be there right beside you to walk with you through it. Work at staying consistent and being persistent in your journey!
One of my mentors, Raymond Aaron, says to “do these things that work for your body.” This means that we need exercise all the different aspects of our body: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual. It means eating healthy, wholesome foods, moving your body, renewing your mind, ASKing… it means doing whatever your body needs to be truly healthy.
Tell Me What You Do To Renew Your Mind
What do you do to renew your mind? Let me know in the comments below!
I recently read a book by Craig Groeschel, titled “Winning The War In Your Mind.” It’s all about renewing your mind, and I highly recommend it. Check it out here:
Remember, You Are A Woman Chosen For Greatness,
Ruth Verbree
I don’t take enough time to renew my mind. But when I do, hymns and worship music are my go to.
I find also going for a bike ride really helps. I’m usually praying throughout my day. I often don’t take enough time to spend with God.
Thanks for sharing, Yvonne! Worship music is always uplifting for me, and bike rides are great too!
I just love this blog. I will put some of these ideas into practice. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks for the encouragement, Jane!
I strongly believe that we all need a good balance in our live. I am thinking about spiritual/mental and physical health and if we miss one of them, we simply don’t function well. Personally, I have to be active, active in a lot of ways…physically (daily exercise, learning how to change/ameliorate my health) and also spiritually (praying , listening to the ocean, music. I love to travel and explore, the nature is always somehow healing me. Lately we went to Vancouver Island, we explored a lot of new places and I feel great ! I love ocean, the sound, movement, colours and the smell. Walking on the sandy beach is one of my favourite things to do. I also like to meditate. Balance, so easy to say, but one of the most difficult things to do…. Renewing my mind is necessary and very important for me and I am trying to do it, with God’s help on regular basis.
Oh wow! The ocean has so many different ways of exercising our senses. I love how you described it – the sound, movement, colors, and smell! Absolutely breathtaking <3
Very good word Ruth! I also find music is beneficial in my day. I love how the Lord uses music to uplift. The Word tells us to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I find as I sing God’s praises I am so lifted up. In His presence is fullness of joy! The book of Psalms also has much encouragement.
Thank you for sharing this!
Amen, Sharon! Singing has an amazing way of lifting our spirit of heaviness – it truly is amazing and a gift from God!
To renew my mind I’ll usually try to find a quiet place to be alone and talk to God. I may just sing some favorite hums that come to mind.
Other times a drive just to get away from the stress. or a visit with a friend to listen to another’s problems instead of dwelling on my own!
Driving is another great way to renew your mind! Thanks, Margie 🙂
Every morning I get up early and the first thing I do is read Psalms Chapter 91. It’s so powerful. When I’m feeling down about myself I usually write in my journal. It helps me to write my feelings down and go back and read it. And of course prayer always makes me feel better .
Thank you, Patricia! What a great Psalm. I also love writing in my journal – I find it really puts things into perspective.
Look forward to reading his book and if we do a Bible Study group. I also purchased his workbook / My style of learning is to read and write what I need to ponder on or ,re- enforce previous learning. I have A Standard of Grace, a guided journal. I also got the colouring book to match. I loved to colour as a child and find it very relaxing. I will have my own dance party at home, or sing along in the car. for driving in the country.I have more conversation now with some Christian girlfriends. I am attending Life group at the church every Wednesday afternoon from 1-3:30 pm, We pray for each other and church leadership prior to starting ,have a lesson to view and discuss. we all get the topic sheet for the day and specific questions to discuss, Sharing our Highs and Lows of the week and pray for each other. With Affirmations-Christian Affirmations for Sleep….Night with the Holy Spirit on an app on my phone. I have had no night terrors and my anxiety appears less frequently.
I needed this in this moment. I am going to write “You are a woman chosen for greatness” in areas of my home as a reminder. Music and journaling is a beautiful part of my devotional time with the Lord. Appreciate you, Ruth!
I read the Word of God. I take walks. Crochet. Swim when weather permitting. I’m composing my book .I love beautiful music .
When Its warm I like to sit on my porch in my swing and just look at Gods beauty and listen to the birds!.
I love to dance and I will do this consistently from now on the begin this journey of self awareness. Listening to worship songs has always uplifted my spirits- I'm going to dance to them too and kill two birds with one stone! Thanks for sharing!
talking with a friend and who in return choses to tellme scripture about how God is with us and knows our desires and wow I am encouraging myself already today lol.Have a great day ladies