“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Our minds often feel cluttered, overwhelmed, and unclear about who we are, what we’re here to do, and how to navigate the day-to-day moments of life. When this happens, it means that our mind is usually full — full of worry, doubt, fear, and uncertainty. The quality of our thought life is largely the litmus test for how we’re really doing and what we really believe about ourselves, others, our circumstances, our future, and our standing with God. Almost instinctively, we tend to look at what’s wrong instead of seeing what’s wonderful.
So, how do we shift from a mind bogged down and steeped in anxiety to a mind that is joyful, optimistic, secure, and courageous? The answer: mindfulness.
Mindfulness simply means to be aware of something. And awareness is at the heart of abiding, which— using our working definition—means “to live in a state of expectancy.” If you’re in a state of worry, that means you’re expecting something to go wrong. You’re actually residing in doubt and choosing to find refuge in fear. However, Jesus showed us how to abide in peace by centering His life, words, and work around mindfulness with God. Everything else flowed from Him being constantly filled with expectancy about God’s goodness.
Our mind is full of whatever we fill it with. The good news is that we can choose to fill it with the goodness of God. This is the reason for tracking your Daily Blessings and committing to seek out everyday goodness. Choosing to see life through the lens of appreciation, affirmation, and gratitude (instead of lack and loss) is how we renew our minds to align with the Holy Spirit. It’s how we learn to see that God really is always with us. This awareness . . . this intentional discipline of holy mindfulness . . . is how we learn to abide.
Because we’re rarely taught how to abide and just told that we should, this concept can end up fostering more stress and confusion. Don’t let that happen here! Abiding is really simple. Breathe that in and embrace this truth for a moment. Abiding is simple, and it’s designed to be enjoyable. It’s not a to-do list or get-it-right type of thing. It only requires one thing: that you be intentional. Understand that abiding isn’t random. It’s specific. It’s consciously choosing to enter and remain in the secret place of God (a promised space with only your name on it) for the purpose of receiving, resting, and resetting.
This also happens when we speak (declaratively) the language of God. Our words reset our world. You see, the brain is an organ, but the mind is an organization. Renewing your mind allows the presence of God to reset and reorganize your thinking (and speaking) so the Holy Spirit can recalibrate every aspect of your life. Our minds are the bridge to seeing either blessings or burdens. Mindfulness enables us to abide.
Lord, thank You for the gift of wisdom. I know You love to give wisdom freely and lavishly. Equip me to see the way You see. As I enter Your presence, renew my mind. I submit every stubborn and misaligned thought to Your Holy recalibration. As I abide in You, help me to think like You. Amen.
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The greatest weapon blocking what God is building in your life is worry. As an ambitious woman daring to believe bigger about who you are and what Heaven has for you, you have much on your mind. Dreams, goals, responsibilities, mission-building, and a to-do list that never ends. Our mental stress can cause our eyes to default to what is wrong or missing versus seeing what God is sending. In her new book, Daily Blessings: A Mindfulness Journal on the Goodness of God, Reinvention Strategist Marshawn Evans Daniels shows how the practice of appreciation and affirmation invites you to exchange overwhelm, self-doubt, perfectionism, and distrust for a spirit-led, limitless mindset. You will see how God’s love moves Heaven and Earth for you every single day and in every single way.
Daily Blessings has a ten-week intentional framework structured to help you practice appreciation and affirmation. Each week is based around one of The Ten Dimensions of Abiding. You’ll kick off each week with (1) an overarching anchor Scripture, (2) a master devotional reading, (3) a mindfulness centering called “Let’s Abide”, and (4) guided Prayer Moxie. You can revisit the kick-off message for the pillar you are in each day if you like. You’ll likely notice that the passage will spark something new each time. Additionally, each day is broken into two phases: Phase One is Morning Gratitude, and Phase Two is Evening Appreciation and Affirmation. This Daily Blessings journal is your daily invitation to abide in the goodness of God.
Pick up your copy of Daily Blessings: A Mindfulness Journal on the Goodness of God… and leave a comment below to enter to WIN one of five copies*!
Then tune in this weekend to the (in)courage podcast as Marshawn talks with Becky Keife about the Daily Blessings Journal! You won’t want to miss this POWERFUL conversation!
Wow! What a wonderful encouragement for my morning!
Love
Daily Blessings
I love the idea of both a morning and evening devotion to bookend each day!
This sounds like just what I need. Lately, I have allowed fear and worry to control my day.
Loved this devotion as a daily reminder to keep our thoughts on the Lord and His goodness.
This is something that I need to remember! I know I tend to worry, instead of focusing on my blessings.
This devotional was God sent for me today: i was feeling frustrated and overwhelmed with to do’s instead of centering on my blessings and being grateful. Would love to win this!
Sounds like a really helpful tool to help our minds
This devo is just what I needed this morning. I started a new journal yesterday because I needed a reset. God provides! I already feel more renewed. Recalibration in process! Thank you!
I’ve been struggling lately with a mind full of worry and anxiety which impacts my ability to fall asleep at night. I will definitely be praying for peace and a sense of “abide” with a focus on my blessings moving forward
Thank you for the chance to win this book. Today’s devotional reminded me that we have a choice every day to “think on the good things.”
Amen!
WOW!! this is me… the ‘monkey chatter’ in my brain, the taunts and attacks from the enemy, ‘you are a mess up’, ‘how could you say that’, ‘ you’re not good enough’…. taking every thought captive and filling my mind with the love and grace of God! I would love a copy and a 10 week opportunity to be intentionally focused to learn how to be ‘mindful’… allowing God to speak LOUDER with the truth of who I am in Him… thank you for the chance to win and writing this beautiful book! God bless you!
Oh I absolutely love the idea of morning and evening devotions and I have really been working at taking my thoughts captive. It is definitely a process
Thank You so so much!
Just what is needed. All of the ‘re’ words in Jesus. & the ‘how to’s’. Perfect timing. Just thank you so much.
“Your Mind Is Full of Whatever You Fill It With” was exactly what I needed for this day. Thank you for the message I so needed to hear. I must reset, and abide in the mindfulness of the BLESSINGS HE has awarded me!!! They are so many. They have to push out all else. Positivity to all today.
daily blessings…we were created by God and are allowed to exist by God. Grateful for the joy he has brought to me daily and praying that i can find it daily….and dwell in it.
This spoke to me today. Recalibrating and learning to abide. So many good nuggets in this for me. Will enjoy pondering and recalibrating to abide more with God.
Thank you for the message today! It was very helpful.
I would like a copy of Daily Blessing please, if there is cost, I don’t have the extra monies, but if you send me a copy, I would be forever appreciative: Gail Mattox, 2200 Kerwin Rd. #411, University Heights, OH 44118
Thanks for this giveaway! The book sounds interesting!
This is so needed! I would love one of these journals ❤️❤️
Daily Blessings!
The timing of this could only be God!
I have a small art piece on my end table.
I must have read it 10X yesterday!
“Always be thankful for the little things”!
Yes! God! Gracious Heavenly Father!
Thank you for all my blessings!
And thank you Marshawn for your wonderful message today!
Joanie
I would enjoy winning a copy of this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
I feel like this was speaking directly to me today! Thank you for this reminder.
Sure needed this today .Thank you sooo much .
Blessings
Carmel x
Thanks so much for this. I am incredibly blessed and needed this reminder that I can choose what to fill my mind and heart with. May God continue to bless you and use you to let others know about Him.
Worry and fear are always around me. I often have trouble focusing on what God is trying to say to me. I could use a resource that helps to guide me toward God. Thank you. God bless.
Thank you for this post. What a well written, simple explanation of what it means to abide in Christ. I will keep this post handy to reread as a reminder.
Blessings to you,
In the book I am currently reading the author speaks about abiding in Christ and this blessings journal would go perfectly with it! Daily Blessings has gotten really good online reviews and I am looking forward to either winning it or buying it.
I listened to the podcast and really enjoyed it! Now I’m so interested in reading the book to learn more!
So many take always from this devotional today.
~”Awareness is the heart of abiding.”
~“Our mind is full of whatever we fill it with.”
~”Choosing to see life through the lens of appreciation, affirmation and gratitude (instead of lack and loss) is how we renew our minds to align with the Holy Spirit.
Would love to win a copy of the book to dive deeper into this subject matter.
Yes our minds are what we fill it with. We have to so carefull what we fill Our mind with. Satan the Old Devil will try and get us to fill it with things that are not of God. Like worry things that will stress us out. Get us to do wrong in God’s eyes look at wrong things if not careful. We don’t want to be filling with wrong stuff we want to be filling our mind with the word of God from the Bible and praying to God. Watching what we say and do. That why I like the kids songs that teach kids about Jesus as they are so good for us as Adults today as well and one that really speaks to me at all times. It is very true not just for kids but for us as Adults to. It is Be Careful Little Eyes What You See There is Father Up Above Who Is Watching. It go on to say be care little eyes hands and feet says the same watch what you do there is a Father up above who is watching. How true that is God our Heavenly Father hears and sees all we do. You get on YouTube worth listening to. Our Heavenly Father sees all we fill out mind with. So we have to be careful what we fill our mind with and make sure it is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. As one day we all give account for everything we do. So our mind is filled with what we fill it with. So before we fill it with thing we see through our eyes. We have say to ourselves would Our Heavenly Father want us watching or looking at that. To fill our minds with that. Is it pleasing to Our Heavenly Father before we look at it. If not don’t look at it or do it. Love today reading. Keeping you all in prayer. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx
Thank you for an opportunity to win! I love this idea of having something to be thankful for in the morning & evening!
Wonderful devotion! Worry and anxiety has been filling my mind lately. This would be a wonderful resource to guide me towards God.
This devotional absolutely spoke to me. I can easily slip from abiding to worry, and overwhelm. Whether or not I win a free copy of this journal,I will most definitely get my own to help me reset my brain into gratitude and appreciation. God is always good and he’s got me!
This sounds like and amazing devotional. I would love to win a copy!
As I read this, I kept thinking “this is really something of substance,” as in Rich, and Weighty.
I realized that on some level, but admittedly, could not concentrate enough to wrap my head around it. Darn!
I would love to enter-into this study, as I think it has my name on it, but I’m not sure I can get from “here to there.”
I feel scattered and daunted. Please pray they I can come through that door to receive what Marshawn has prepared by the prompting of the Holy Spirit of God. Thank you!
My daughter is facing serious stress and is greatly struggling mentally and emotionally. It’s affecting her work and parenting (she’s a single mom which makes it even more stressful!). She’s in jeopardy of losing her job while in the process of trying to buy the house she’s living in. There’s several other factors adding to her stress including negative family drama and she’s at the end of her rope. It’s breaking my heart. I’m doing all I know to help her while encouraging her to seek professional help. She’s been staying with us quite a bit since she knows she needs help. Please pray for her. This book sounds like something that could help her. Thank you!
Sooo beautiful a devotion to read and reread! I printed a copy so I can do just that! Wonderful information for my “organization”!
Blessing to all those who commented! You never know when your words are exactly what someone else needs to hear!
Fear has been ruling my life lately. This sounds like what I need to help me out of the pit.
Thank you for the encouragement.
I would like win a copy of Daily Blessings.
Marshawn,
My first thought when I read the title was “Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little ears what you hear”. Matthew 15:18 “But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart.” We have to be intentional about what we put in our minds & hearts. People should, if possible, listen to Christian music & focus on the words, take time each day to read a devotion & get into God’s word. What a shift it will make in your attitude.
Last fall the devil was attacking me. My job duties changed drastically one day. I was upset & unhappy & it showed. Then through prayer, hours of listening to Christian music my attitude slowly began to change. Now I can tolerate my job.
Blessings 🙂
Thank You! This was so much needed in this cycle of life