Flesh problems

When my flesh takes over, I regard no one according to the flesh, including myself... This is how it's supposed to pan out anyway.  I will be honest with you though.  I am having a total flesh day today.  You ever have those?  I have them often.  So this post is really for me; I am just sharing with you what God is speaking to me. 

Lately my life has been marked by fleshly traits such as fatigue, insatiable hunger (breastfeeding mama here), toddler tantrums, impatience, irritability, poopy diapers, more toddler tantrums... You get the idea.  I am not complaining about how all I do is stay at home with needy kids all day and how I need some sort of out or something.  What I am saying though, is that I am made up of flesh.  My children are made up of flesh.  Flesh is everywhere, and I can't escape this reality.  So with that comes all the wonderful realities that flesh carries.  And I am faced with a decision multiple times per day: Do I define myself by who I am in the flesh or by who I am in the Spirit?

Let's take fatigue for example.  I have found myself going on and on about how tired I have been.  Someone asks me how I am doing, and I respond with, "I'm tired."  Being physically tired is a flesh issue.  And while it may be entirely factual that I am tired, there is a greater truth from which I can draw strength.  Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  

It's all about the power of my mindset and words really.  I have to remind myself many times daily who I am in Christ and what is available to me.  Often times, I begin my day with 1 Corinthians 13.  I am talking to myself (my flesh) and it goes something like this, "I am patient, and I am kind.  I am not easily angered and I keep no record of wrongs.  I bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things.  God's love in me never fails."  I do this because I know how unruly my flesh likes to get.  And I know how good my kids are at pushing just the right button at just the right time.  So it's like I'm calling a meeting with Me, Myself and I.  Just letting everyone know that the Spirit will be guiding the ship today.

I am not perfect at this, but I do recognize a difference in my day when I regard myself according to the Spirit and not according to my flesh.  And according to God, I am seated in heavenly places with Jesus and I am a co-heir to God's kingdom with Him.  I am more than a conqueror through Him.  I am the head and not the tail; I am above and not beneath.  I prosper and I am in health, just as my soul prospers.  I am His beloved daughter, and He loves to give me good things.  He gives me the desires of my heart.  

 So here is my challenge to you, Beloved daughter of the King... Next time you find yourself feeling too tired to go on, I dare you to declare to your soul that God gives you rest!  And then see what happens!