For the past 4 years I have been battling Parkinson’s Disease and I have discovered that I can choose how I think of Parkinson’s and its effects on me. First of all, Parkinson’s does not have me. I have it. What I mean by that is that I believe God causes all things to work together for my good…even Parkinson’s…so I plan to use it for the kingdom of God and to bless as many others along the journey as I can.

I can either see PD as a mountain or as a molehill. From my earthly point of view, I see a mountain, but from the Lord’s point of view I see a molehill. In the grand scheme of things, PD is a blip on the screen and basically an annoyance. What it is not is, it is not a death sentence; it is not what determines my happiness; it is not going to deter my choice to be joyful; and it certainly does not define me.

I recently released a new book called Parkinson’s & Recreation: One Man’s Journey Through Parkinson’s…So Far. It’s a humorous look at my life since I was first diagnosed and was, for me, a means of using laughter as a medicine for my soul and as a means of renewing my mind…of taking my thoughts captive rather than being controlled by my thoughts.

In addition to the new book, I released a brand new 16 song album called Might As Well Be Happy: A Worship & Ministry Song Collection. If you read all the way to the end of this blog I’ll tell you how you can receive a digital version of this recording for FREE. Why did I create this recording project? Because God has used music and intimate worship to infuse my mind with His Word and, in the process, I have found healing for my soul long before I ever had PD…but have found the same level of intimacy and joy with Him as I live with the reality of PD and I thought letting you know that might encourage you to do the same.

Today’s teaching is called I Will Think On This and it is based on a song by the same title which I received it on May 26, 1993.

In early 1993, I was feeling a deep stirring in my heart and needed a break from all the mental turmoil I was in. At that time, I had served at a church for 8 years as God taught me how to walk in my true identity. In my heart, I knew something needed to change - that perhaps I was being called to spread my wings and fly.

Reality was that I was still struggling with pleasing others and performing for my affirmation and Father wanted me to stand on the firm foundation of who He is and who He says I am. Soon after, I asked to take a sabbatical to rest my mind ... and that sabbatical was granted. It was during this time that I realized I still had strongholds - lies I was believing - concerning my identity.

I was led to meditate on Philippians 4:6-8 and the Lord gave me this song as a personal go-to song to use as a weapon in the battle for my mind and thoughts. The lyrics have been altered slightly from the original to make them appropriate for everyone in every situation of mental battle. I still sing this song today and it has anchored my mind on the truth of God’s Word in an unforgettable way.

Philippians 4:6-8 NASB

Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:6-8 NASB

God’s Word says that as a man thinks in his heart, so he is. What that means to me is that I can choose the way I think about things. Even hard things. Even painful things. Even things out of my control. I always have a choice as to how I think and I always have a choice as to how I will respond to any given situation. I use God’s Word as the anchor for my soul and make the choice to think about my life from God’s point of view. This is how I renew my mind and take my thoughts captive. The bottom line is that every feeling I have begins with a thought I have just had. If I want to change the way I feel, I change the way I think about things. It doesn’t change my circumstances but it does bring peace, and joy, and gratitude to my heart and mind. May it do the same for you.

Dennis Jernigan

To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog and to hear the song, I will Think On This, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/i-will-think-on-this-1677605366/

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