When I first got sober my denial was thick. I can remember thinking, yes I have a problem with alcohol, but I don't have a problem with pot. Or, I know I can't stop smoking pot but I'm able to stop drinking. Truth be told I was completely controlled by both. But the back and forth in my head on whether there was actually a problem with either was the thick part. I probably spent more time thinking about whether or not I had a problem than I did focusing on the solution. That is where my brain was at the time. However, that was 25 years ago, and what I called denial then and what I call it now are almost two different things. Now, I still have a denial problem but it looks a little different. I deny the power of the Holy Spirit in my life, which in my mind is worse. When I became a Christ follower, the instant I asked Jesus to come into my life the power of the Holy Spirit was there. What wasn't there was my willingness to surrender certain things to Him. I thought I could control these things, but really I discovered I had virtually no control over people, places, and things. Over the past 25 years I have learned to surrender my thoughts to Christ. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 it reads, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." [NIV] When we apply this to our life and surrender our thoughts to Christ we receive His power in our lives and can overcome things that we once thought impossible. It is when I quit denying God's power in any area of my life that change comes.
Taking it to the street;
1.) Ask God to control your thoughts.
2.) Make a list of areas in your life where you need God's power.
Pressing on with excellence!! Keith
