Update 10-10-20 – Mindset Hacks Part two

You guys!!!  You have blessed me so very much! And your prayers and encouragement have made a difference! Guess who got off oxygen today? Uh huh. And I might be going home tomorrow!!! I cannot thank you all enough for what you have done, helping me to hang in there. The best thing I know to do is to pay forward the sweet lessons learned in here. Ok, we know how the “Big Buts” go, right? I shared yesterday how God intervened in my pain and granted victory. Today I want to share a final update, with some more mindset hacks learned from COVID that God has taught me in this holy place.

I also want to thank you and give you one of my songs for free, “Praying for You” because you guys have all prayed me through:

https://denisepass.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/04-Denise-Pass_Praying-For-You.mp3

Jesus is there When Life is Interrupted.

Mindset Hack # 4 – Surrender is Not Defeat

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” —James 4:7

Today was supposed to be my oldest daughter’s Bridal shower that I was supposed to throw for her.

But I am in the hospital instead. (I think the shower guests are probably grateful for that at this moment, lol, I would never have wanted to get them sick.) God had other plans. Was I ok with that? With God sending me on a mission and also healing my body?

We can idolize our plans and be mad when things don’t go as expected. But surrendering to God can teach us so much in the midst. We never were in control, anyway. And perhaps those interruptions in life were blessings, after all. When we resist the temptation to feel sorry for ourselves or fight the battle instead of surrendering to God, we gain the victory.

The Pain in this Life Just Might Be Jesus’ Rescue

Mindset Hack #5 – Being in the Center of God’s Will is the Safest Place

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.” —Psalm 37:39

Today I had a respiratory therapist walk in while I was making laps in my room and coming out of the bathroom. I told her I would really like to be off of the oxygen and go home tomorrow if that seemed best. She checked my vitals and took me off oxygen! (Insert happy dance!)

As we talked about how hard COVID is on the workers and the patients, she told me about her sister’s fiancé who just died of complications from COVID in the inflammatory phase—just like I just came through. Two other family members died. She lost three precious family members and could not say goodbye. We had a moment to share and my heart breaks for her. Please pray for her. God knows.

But I realized at that moment that if my husband had not acted quickly, I might not be here right now. The pain right in the middle of hard was the safest place to be as I received care and fought the inflammatory phase of COVID. (Days 10-14 of COVID are about the most dangerous for people with autoimmune diseases).

We can trust God when life hurts. Being in the center of His will is our refuge and safety.

Some other truth bombs were delivered by my precious children in the midst of this time and have pointed me to the mindset of Christ, and I thought they might bless you, too.

Jesus is there when fear fills us and lies to us.

Mindset of Christ Hack #6 – Jesus gets the final say.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” —2 Peter 1:3

One night, as I was afraid to go to bed because of not being monitored and my body temperature was still fluctuating and dropping – I felt so cold and honestly afraid that the infections raging my body would win.

But my daughter Annalise spoke the truth boldly, “Mom, the doctors, and nurses, even this infection do not get the final word. Jesus is the One Who determines when you are going and you are not ready yet.”

Okay then. I told fear it was a liar and I wasn’t going to listen. We have divine power, friends, that we so often forfeit as we cave to fear, instead. Through our knowledge of Him, knowing the One Who is over all and in complete control, we gain the victory!

The Blessings of God are More Than the Comforts of this World

Mindset of Christ Hack #7 – Gratitude kills complaints

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” —Philippians 2:14-16

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19

As the burden of suffering and separation was bearing down, I was feeling discouraged.

But my daughter Annalise also said, mom, count your blessings. Start naming things you are grateful for right now. Don’t give in.

There is SO MUCH to be thankful for, but we don’t recognize those blessings because they don’t look like what they thought they should. God helps us to recognize that His blessings meet us in life’s pain and hardships. It is not just fluffy religiosity, that can’t help us – it is knowing God, friends. Right now you can know Him if you do not.

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” —Romans 10:9

Jesus Saves Us—Not Meds, Not man.

Mindset of Christ Hack #8—Choose Jesus

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12

Frantically typing on my phone a message I desperately wanted to get to my loved ones, while the room around me spun and my phone was dying, I told my son, “I can’t breathe, son. I can’t warm up. I can’t think. I just want you to know I love you.”

But my son Daniel told me, “Listen, mom, you’re not going anywhere. I want you to calm down and breathe. Concentrate. You have a choice. God is with you.”

When I kept wanting to focus on fixing the problem, Daniel pointed me to the Savior. “Fight, mom. You’re a fighter!” Jesus has you in the palm of His hands.

Worshipping Jesus is our Weapon

Mindset of Christ Hack #9—The Battle is Not Ours

“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” —Deuteronomy 20:4

As I was struggling with the pain last night and started to develop an attitude, my daughter Abigail reminded me to worship through the pain.

God wants good for us. We have to believe that. That does not mean we will not struggle or face pain, but believing He is good helps us to trust His heart. Let down the resistance and doubt. God loves you, friends. He has already won the battle.

How We walk Through Trials Matters

Mindset of Christ Hack #10—Fighting For Others

“Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” —2 Corinthians 1:4

My daughter Deborah and I both struggle with autoimmune struggles. When she called me to check on me, she said, “Mom, what you are doing is helping others. My friends tell me the impact you are having on them. Keep fighting, mom.”

Our struggles aren’t about us. But about those around us. We comfort others with the comfort we have received.

Jesus Makes Our Problems Smaller

Mindset of Christ Hack #11—The Art of Distraction

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

My little Ruskie son, 16, ok, not so little anymore, thought distraction might help me. Hack #1 from yesterday (what we focus on) is part of that, but sometimes we just need to stop thinking so much about the “what if’s” and rest.

But while my mind was busy, Sam texted and asked if we could play some games on his phone.

It’s ok to admit we don’t have the answers. Jesus does. And it’s ok to let go of worry – it doesn’t help anyway. Letting go of control is gaining control as we place it back in Jesus’ capable hands.

Love Makes the World Go Around

Mindset of Christ Hack #12—Love

 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13

Being separated from my Honey Bear was hard. So hard. I could not be there to help him as he suffered, too. But he would call or text or send a love song right when I needed to hold onto some normal. Sometimes we just need to be loved and held.

Jesus did not want us to be separated from Him, but sin ravaged our souls and caused us to doubt the only One Who loves us more than anything. Trust God’s love for you, friends. He will not let you go.

This past week God did many miracles while He healed me. Precious friends and family messaged and texted and called out of nowhere. Each one reminded me of who I was in Christ, of God’s precious promises and plan for me. People stepped up and filled in the void that I left and God was glorified in it all.

God is enough, friends. Thank you for helping me keep my gaze upon Him.

I don’t want to forget what God did through these circumstances. Below is a slider of FB posts with lessons God infused even as many prayed to encourage us. Thank you is not enough. God is so good!

Need encouragement? One of the greatest helps to me as a mom and a wife and a daughter of the King of kings is time in His word. Join me in a Bible Reading Plan.

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