his presence is the cheat code

MINDSET.

This is one of the biggest hurdles for so many people including myself. Most of the time I have realized that it's me and no one else.

Getting my head together has been a challenge. Especially when I have been tossed by the waves of life.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Romans 12:2 is a foundational Bible verse in which the Apostle Paul calls believers to resist cultural conformity and instead experience internal change through the renewing of their minds, enabling them to discover and live out God's will. This sounds really good but what is keeping me from accomplishing this command?

I have discovered that the presence of God is a cheat code. For those of you who don't know what a cheat code is, let me explain. In everyday language, cheat code refers to a clever shortcut, lifehack, or hidden advantage that bypasses the usual hard work to achieve success.

When I intentionally immerse myself in the presence of God, I find that what I am trying to accomplish comes with a level of ease.

The anxiety is reduced.

The blockades are removed.

The creativity flows without hesitation.

I truly experience EASE.

Now don't mistake what I am saying here. Life is going to have its own daily challenges. However, in the presence of God we have access to what it is that we need for the day. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). I am not saying that life will become roses and rainbows but what I am saying is that because of what God provides, we do not have to be overrun by the trials of life. We do not have to allow the challenges of life to keep us from accomplishing the task that has been placed before us.

As a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, creative....I have no idea what I am doing sometimes. I am going to keep it 100 with you. The awareness of this helps me. I have learned that when I open my eyes each day I need to be seeking Him. He knows exactly what I need for the day ahead and I don't. I may have an agenda or task list created but the Lord knows more than I do.

I need Him to accomplish said tasks. I need Him to be the wife my husband needs, the mother my children need, the sister they need, the friend they need; so on and so forth.

This is where Proverbs 3 comes in.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

When I attempt life without Him, this is where I produce my own challenges and where I erect my own hurdles.

Chelsea, what does this have to do with mindset?

EVERYTHING!

The posture of my heart and the state of my mind is predicated on if I spend time in the presence of God.

When I make it a priority to spend time with Him and spend time reading His word, I am fortifying my heart and mind.

A friend said this in a blog post about self love, "Intentionally setting time aside to conduct spiritual maintenance and develop your relationship with God is biblical. Reading and meditating on the Word of God, prayer, praise, and worship are all things that pour strength, peace, stability, growth, and joy back into a believer of God." (London Anderson Santiago, As You Love Yourself)

From this I gather that as an act of self love and devotion to my Heavenly Father, I must be intentional about my time with Him.

The enemy is going to do everything he can to keep you from accomplishing anything positive in your life. He wants to keep you as far away as possible from the promises of God. The enemy knows that if he can win the battle in your mind, you will never get to where God desires you to be. The enemy's objective is to steal, kill and to destroy everything associated with you (John 10:10). Let's wake up to this!

With this understanding, we must move different as Daughters of God. The bible says in Proverbs 11:9b, "Through knowledge the righteous will be delivered".

Allowing God to shape our minds in His presence will bring us the knowledge, understanding, hope, ideas and strategy we are seeking.

His presence is the cheat code!

Chelsea, what do I need to do differently?

1. Repent for taking Christ off your priority list

2. Carve a spot in your morning routine for Jesus

3. Begin speaking the Word of God out loud, daily

Jesus is not mad at you Sis! Please know that. He desires to be with you because He knows what you need. He knows that the enemy has been feeding you lies and the Lord desires to feed you truth.

Positive affirmations are beneficial, I am not gonna lie. However, the word of God is what we truly need.

Begin today building your mindset by (1) Using the cheat code and getting into His presence, (2) fortifying it with the word of God and (3) remain consistent.

God is the one who created each of us. He is the manufacturer and has the expertise to fix specific issues. Why won't you let Him?

I love you. God loves you more!