I read today that one of the greatest gifts given to us by God is the gift of imagination. So, of course, I googled the definition and the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines imagination as the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality. God himself imagined the entire universe and it was created.
Before I get out of bed every morning, I form a mental image of what my day should look like. Before I make a decision about what I’m going to eat or drink I imagine what affects it will have on my stomach. When I am thinking about what I’m going to wear, I form a mental image of where I have to go, how far I have to walk and even how hot or cold it’s going to be. I can’t count the number of times I’ve imagined who was going to piss me off before I ever make it to where I’m going. I have an attitude before I make it in the room because my imagination has already allowed me to play out word for word what I was going to do and say. My actions and my reactions are based on things that haven’t happened yet but have been thought about.
Herstorians, how many of you are honest enough to admit that you do some good and bad things with your imagination. Everything starts with imagination. In fact, our imagination is so powerful that nothing becomes reality unless we think of it. So if our imagination is from God, how do we use it as a gift and not a curse?
USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO CAPTURE YOUR THOUGHTS
2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. What a great idea. But is it even possible? Well if you trust God’s word, we know it is. Changing the way you think changes your perspective which changes how you act. In Philippians 4:8, it tells us to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. My struggle with this is my belief of when someone shows you who they are believe them. I understand that it’s just a quote but it has proven to be true in every area of my life. I believe that capturing our thoughts and fixing them on all of those things does not mean overlooking the reality, it means to love anyway. We have to choose, no matter what, to capture our thoughts. Choose to be calm and work on being impossible to offend. Try to listen much more than we talk. Love everyone, even our enemies. I know this may be difficult but a quick tip is to remember how messed up you are and it will help you let others off the hook. The only way to capture our thoughts is to choose to seek and capture the bright light in all things.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
Imagination has much to do with reality. It shapes the way we see our reality, and therefore, affects our expectations and hopes, our actions and behavior. This means we have to be very careful about what we imagine. Everything starts in the mind, and in the imagination. Your imagination is responsible, to a large extent, for the kind of life you will experience. What goes into your mind now will affect your future later. I hear a lot of people say if you think it you can become it and I do believe this to be true but I also believe that to get the life we imagine we have to be honest and clear about the life we are currently living.
Things just don’t fall out of the air. Are you imagining being a wife and having a perfect wedding? If so is he single with a job and has actually said the words, “Will you marry me? ” Are you visualizing your business and how it’s going to blow up? If so have you researched the market, what you need to start it, and how much time, money, and hard work it’s going to cost? Are you thinking constantly about getting a better job so you can move into the house you drive by every day from work? If so have you thought about how to make some additional income while learning how money works and getting your finances in order? Don’t allow your God-given imagination to turn into daydreams of what could have been. By keeping your images in the future, your choices will stay there; in the future and just out of reach. Imagine yourself being, doing and having that which you intend to experience now.
Herstorians, when you use your imagination, you must focus on what you want rather than on what you do not want. Focus on good health, not on “not wanting” your illness. Focus on wealth and abundance, not on ” not wanting” to be in debt. You get what you think! My imagination is huge, you guys wouldn’t believe the visions I see. They seem so real, so powerful…everything I desire to become. I’m almost positive that you are experiencing the same thing. The good news is God says we can have more than that! Whew, Chile! I receive it, do you?
Let’s Pray Lord, I surrender all! Lord, I surrender all! Your word says I can have more than I can think or imagine. Before I ask for it all God, I pray to be patient when it’s not happening fast enough for me. I pray for the courage to move forward to do it now and not wait around on what I think is perfect timing. I pray for the character to do the work when no one is watching. Help me in my unbelief. Enlighten the eyes of my mind that I may see the hope you hold for me. Thank you for my gift of imagination. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
-HerStory
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