The Chameleon

Who or what do you surround yourself with? Do you think that changes you at all?

I’m such a chameleon! The longer I’m around negativity…complaining…criticism…sarcasm, the more those traits stick to me, weighing me down like a millstone hung around my neck. Soon I feel like I’m drowning in depression and despair. Focusing on that which I’m trying to escape, every movement pulls me deeper into the quicksand, like the snare I’ve stepped into. The struggle to break free becomes more and more difficult…when I think I’m on my own. Even crying out to Jesus, describing to Him what I’m feeling, makes me feel like saying along with the apostle Paul, “Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)

And then…

My eyes shift from the life-sucking snare…to Jesus…fixing my eyes on Him…focusing the gaze of my heart on the beauty and TRUTH of who He is…and who I am in Him! With Paul, I say, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:25)

And as I live close to Jesus, refusing to surrender to the negativity surrounding me any longer and, instead, immersing my heart, mind and spirit in that amazing truth, I shout the victory cry of Romans 8:37, “No! In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!” (Emphasis mine)

Jesus, on my own I am weak but in Your strength I can do all things! Let Your joy be my strength today, changing my chameleon colors to look more like You!