Which Way to Turn

Lately, it’s confusing knowing which way to turn. Leaders disagree, plans cancel, and life as expected changes in a blink. But I’ve noticed something about knowing which way to turn. It’s a conscious and/or subconscious choice made thousands of times a day. And it begins with our thoughts.

With every thought leading to action, we choose. Do we turn and listen to this person or another? Do we turn toward the bad thoughts or the good? We have and do make all these choices, all the time. The important pivot point is which way do we turn?

I just finished the book Get out of your Head by Jennie Allen and it really resonated with me. How we manage our thoughts is something I’m passionate about not only for my own well being but also as my core approach at MemoryMinders. So I dug deeper and found Biblical references for how we manage our thoughts and actions. Ironically, it all has to do with turning.

The Process of Turning

Turning is often referenced in the Bible. It was the message of John the Baptist and Jesus. But it began in the Old Testament which is where my thoughts on this started turning. 😉

While currently much is out of our control, we always control one thing-how we think. This often involves not one choice, but many. How we think and which way we turn is a process.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the process is outlined:

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

The process of turning involves humbling ourselves (seeing God and others before self), praying, seeking God, and THEN turning from our sin and back toward Him. Continuing to peruse all the Biblical references, I found that turning accomplishes many things.

Turning:

• Opens things– like doors, or Peter’s eyes when he betrayed Jesus. Ironically even before Peter betrayed Him, Jesus told Peter to turn back to him!
• Changes things– like Lot’s wife into a pillar of salt , Moses’ staff into a snake and back again, or as Jesus says when we understand His resurrection, our grief into joy.
• Leads to forgiveness from God and each other
• Leads to the Holy Spirit & salvation –as Peter tells us it’s the best part of knowing which way to turn!

This is the same Peter that Jesus turned to in his exact moment of betrayal. What a difference in turning! Betraying Peter turned back to the Lord and proclaimed His resurrection the rest of his days!

Which Way to Turn

So how do we apply thinking and turning to our lives? Everyday, especially in these stay at home days, it’s a choice. To whom will we turn for help, safety, or comfort? When bad or worrisome thoughts crowd our minds, how do we turn them around? When uncertain futures rob us of the present moment, how will we get back to what’s important? When grieving losses, missed events, people, or opportunities, which way do we turn?

We don’t’ simply turn a way but to The Way, The Truth, and The Life. We turn to Jesus and in Him, we receive open doors and open eyes. He changes our thoughts and our lives. He gives us hope, forgiveness, and most importantly, eternal salvation.

Matt Maher has song about turning; an anthem to help us remember. God doesn’t need to turn to us. He’s already facing us, is within us, and coming back for us. We simply need to turn to Him.

There is always a choice. It begins with our thoughts and which way we choose. We can choose to have a good day, even in the worst of days. We can turn our thoughts, lives, direction, and eternity around. Don’t wonder which way to turn. Turn to The Way-our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy to link with Crystal’s #HeartEncouragement