Where Do I Dwell?

We usually think of where we live as being a physical place. However, sometimes we can be in that physical place, but our minds are a thousand miles away!  We are bodily in that place, but our minds and emotions are in another place and even in another period of time!

I think it’s safe to say that any of us who are old enough to be reading these words have had experiences where we have gotten stuck in anger, fear, worry, or any number of other negative emotions.

Might it be safe to say that we’ve dwelt there? Perhaps just for a couple of hours, perhaps overnight, perhaps for days or weeks or months or even years….? 

Where do I dwell?

Where do you dwell?

The place we live on the globe is not so important as the place our hearts dwell in determining our state of mind, and ultimately, our happiness.

God has a good reason for telling us such things as:

• “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.”  (Ephesians 4:26)
• Forgive.  (Ephesians 4:32)
• Fear not, for I am with you.  (Isaiah 41:10)
• Give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good.  (Psalm 136:1)
• Give and it will be given unto you.  (Luke 6:38)
• Practice hospitality.  (Romans 12:13)

When we don’t do those things, chances are really good that we are doing their opposites, in which case, we would be:

• dwelling in anger,
• dwelling in unforgiveness,
• dwelling in fear,
• dwelling in unthankfulness,
• dwelling in stinginess,
• dwelling in self-serving attitudes and behaviors.

God knows that

     dwelling in these negative mindsets will be

          harmful to us

               and to those we love.

We cannot be dwelling in these things

     and

          truly be dwelling in the Lord

               at the same time.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty…

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,…

For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.”  Psalm 91:1,5,9  NASB

In order to dwell in a place, we have to go there.

In order to stop dwelling in a place, we have to move or go to a new place.

Where are you dwelling?

Where am I dwelling?

Do we need to move away from the mental and spiritual places in which we have been dwelling?

Let’s leave behind the harmful places where we have been dwelling and run into the arms of Him who loves us!  ❤

Lord,

We want to stop dwelling in harmful negative emotions that are fueled by lies we have believed.  Please help us to understand and believe Your truths and to come to You to dwell in peace and safety.

For more on dwelling, click here.

Or here.