Changing tide

Lately, I have been pondering the idea of personalities and living with a joyful and peaceful spirit and heart. The Lord gave me this image of the sea. I saw the waves washing up on the shore throughout the day. I saw the way the water carried shells and other sea creatures onto the dry, sandy beach. I saw beauty, but I also saw power and rage. Other people viewing this scene may describe it in other ways, like viewing it through an alternate lense. I came to the realization that our lives can be lived through various lenses. We can choose to live like Christ, as outlined in scripture, or we can choose to let the world and circumstances around us cloud that lense. When thinking of how scripture outlines it I came upon these verses:

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2

My mom and I were discussing this, and the idea of how we often use our "personalities and labels" as a crutch. We make excuses to justify the way we act. For example, in my life I make the excuse that I have the tendency to have a fast tongue and be competitive. I can also be very prideful. Does this make those tendencies right in any situation?--definitely not. In no way does the Lord wish me to be this way with my friends and in my future family or in my personal time. What will dwelling on these thoughts or acting in these ways do for the Kingdom? Absolutely nothing. So often, I have seen those around me say, "Well that's just how I am. I like to complain. I have no reign on my tongue."

I want so much more than that. I want to chip away at those negative tendencies about myself, and glorify the Lord through the testimony of how He has changed me. I want to be continuously moldable and I want that molding to be evident. I want to "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:2

I want to strive towards becoming a Proverbs 31 woman everyday. I want challenges. I want to defeat the enemy's ploys. I want to love those around me more than myself on a continuous basis. I do not want to see the world and myself through a clouded lense, but I want to see beauty, color, and good deeds pouring forth through my faith.

Yay, for changing tides and for encounters with the Lord! Yay, for open eyes and am open heart!