That Is a Trashcan, Not a Food Bowl!

Dogs will be dogs! (I realize the actual saying is, “boys will be boys,” but around my house it applies to those pups.) As I was recently fixing my hair at the bathroom mirror, Beamer entered the room and proceeded to snoop in the trashcan for something to eat. (He is always searching for something to eat!) Immediately these words departed my mouth, “Stop Beamer, that’s a trashcan not a food bowl!” He reluctantly backed away from the trashcan and went to pursue his second favorite past time, sleeping.

Considering this incident, I wonder how many times the Holy Spirit speaks the same words to me and to you. So often we are willing to listen to lies about ourselves. These lies can come from a variety of sources. Media is constantly placing before us all that we “should” be. Others may have expectations of us or remember our past failures. Our own minds can constantly berate us for all the ways that we do not feel we measure up to some “necessary” standard. Seeking our identity or allowing it to be affected by these lies is like seeking food in a trashcan.

The word of God is our necessary food! It should be the first, last, and only place that we receive the truth about who we are as children of the Most High God. “The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.” (Psalm 119:160 AMP) Jesus prayed for His followers, “Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.” (John 17:17 AMP)

Our identity is a major area to be challenged by erroneous sources. Regardless of anything we may hear or feel, we can be confident that we are children of God. “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.” (John 1:12 AMP) We are no accident. He has carefully formed us. “For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb.” (Psalm 139:13 AMP) And we are each specially designed for a unique purpose. “For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)

Circumstances and the expectations of others will also flood our minds. These may tell us, “You don’t have what it takes to succeed.” But Scripture clearly tells us “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” (Philippians 4:13 AMP) These circumstances and the opinions of others can also shout that we should worry about our problems. Yet the nourishing truth of God’s Word tells us, “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP)

Emotions can also be an enemy that attempts to fill our minds with trash. Although we may feel unworthy and find it hard to believe that God can forgive our every sin, the truth is that we are forgiven. “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].” (1 John 1:9 AMP) When these same feelings scream that God can no longer use us, the health giving Scripture declares, “And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMP) God has a plan to love and use us and He will complete this plan.

There are so many more examples. We have an opportunity to eat from trashcans each and every day. For every lie there is a promise in Scripture that will counter it with truth. We must seek out that truth like the nourishing food that it truly is.

Even as I was in the midst of creating this post, I was again at the bathroom mirror fixing my hair as I got ready for work. Multitasking as I often do, I had a sandwich with me at the time. Beamer again entered the bathroom and looked into that trash can. When I gently told him, “No that's the trash” he turned away from it and looked eagerly at me. Of course, my heart melted and I broke a piece of turkey burger off from my sandwich and gave it to him.
Likewise, God is eagerly waiting for us to seek Him to find the truth. We must step away from the trash and lies that we have been believing and be fed by God Himself.

Turn away from the trash that would fill your mind with harmful lives. Feast on the word of God and allow your faith and hope to grow.