Protect the Heart

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

*We have to guard our heart from negativity at all times, otherwise we will become that negativity. There are some things we have to deal with, and pray our way through while others are unnecessary stressers or distractions. Ask God to provide wisdom to know the difference. You are not entitled to put yourself at risk with people and situations you don't have to deal with. You also have to be aware of people and environments that can taint your heart, and create poor behaviors and mannerisms as well.

Spiritual Discernment

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. I John 4:1 NKJV

*Don't believe in everything someone says, and don't allow everyone to speak into your life just because it sounds good. Some people are sent to distract you, while others are sent help you. Ask God for wisdom to know the difference between the two.

His Will

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5:14‭-‬15 NIV

I think many times we assume that God knows what we want,  we ask one time and let the be the end of it, or we ask things outside His will and become upset when it isn't received. The first measure in obtaining a desire is knowing whether it lines up with the word of God.  Then, ask Him to come into your life and show you what His will is for your desire as you ask for it. What we expect may not be what we should be looking for... Most importantly, don't give up. Keep asking until you receive an answer.

Keep the Iron Sharp

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

In any relationship, we are suppose to serve a purpose in helping to grow that individual with the guidance of God. If you are experiencing everything in that relationship, but God and growth then there's a good chance you are with the wrong people. Even more so,  if you stay,  you have now personally chosen to stifle your own growth and purpose. Is having a good time for a moment, an easy time for a second, or holding on to people who do not mean you well more important than God's will for your life?  Let God guide you to people who will sharpen you,  and not just people who make you feel good... There's more to life than that...

Discernment and Clarity

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 NIV

*You can't believe everything you hear. If it doesn't agree with God's word, then it's not an idea or thought sent from Him. Choices and options are out there,  but it's  important to distinguish whether they come from God,  your own desire, or are from the devil. Ask yourself if what you do and think is approved by God, or have you turned it into a possibility that your hoping God will bless?... Yet, His word and guidance never confirmed that in the first place..

Elevated Thinking

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:1‭-‬2 NIV

*There is so much more that God wants us to focus on that goes beyond the norm, or drama that the world tries to distract us with... Have you ever sat back and thought about how much you dwell on the negative more than the positive? How one thing you didn't like overshadowed the good of the day, or in a person? If we learn to focus more on heavenly thoughts such as our purpose and what guidance God is trying to give us, we will notice more positive and even potentially be able to avoid negative Nancys  all together.  People who are of this world will try to distract you subconsciously and consciously, but those who are in your corner will elevate you... BUT,  it all starts with you and who or what you choose to focus on and deal with. The tasks from heaven and the blessings God has for us are much greater than things and people who were not meant to be a part of the process in the beginning. Let's pray for elevated thinking...