Armed and Virtuous SETX Abstinence Ministry “Change Your Focus”

SETX Abstinence Ministry – “Armed and Virtuous”

One of our biggest challenges as Southeast Texas Christian parents is talking with our children about topics like abstinence.

For many parents and families, local Southeast Texas abstinence ministry Armed and Virtuous has been a blessing.

We have enjoyed sharing their blog posts on SETX Church Guide.

We hope you enjoy today’s “best of” message:

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen [are] temporary, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal (NKJV).

This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, and it’s been speaking volumes to me lately! This verse is the last of a chapter devoted to enduring hardships as a believer, but this last phrase is so hopeful, that it challenged me to change my focus.

How many times do you look around and feel that, for some reason or another, you don’t measure up? Almost constantly, right? We live in a world that is trying to sell us something, and their favorite marketing strategy is to create discontent. “If you only had this hairstyling product, your bad hair days would be over!” “Try this new skin product and never have another blemish!”

We spend so much time thinking about the things that are seen. They seem so certain, so dependable, so important, but in reality, they’re temporary. In the next few days, weeks, months, or years they’ll be gone and another “thing” will take its place to make you feel inadequate.

So what does matter? Our walk with Christ, and how we use the blessings He’s given us to bless others. Instead of stressing out over our reflection in the mirror, we should focus on improving our spiritual reflection. Instead of trying to imitate the latest iconic supermodel, we should be trying to imitate and reflect Christ.

Molding a Godly character is an unseen attribute which is eternal. However, just because it’s unseen doesn’t mean it goes unnoticed. If you begin turning your focus inward, people will detect the change, remark on the change, and you will begin making an impact on the world, rather than being impacted by the world, how awesome is that?

When Christ was on earth, what was the image He portrayed? He was a servant. This is what Jesus said about Himself, in His own words: “. . . the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)”

This week, I’m offering a friendly reminder to change your focus, (and I’m “preaching” to myself as well).

Rather than looking around at the things that don’t seem to be going your way, look to Jesus, your Lord, Savior, Master and Creator. Allow Him to show you how loved and cherished you are in His sight, and change your ideas of what really matters. God Bless!

My name is April M. Anderson, and I’m just a girl with a story. God laid a burden on my heart to pray for my husband when I was in the sixth grade. I prayed and waited for him for six years, dated him for three, and we’ve been married for 15 years. By God’s grace, both my husband and I were virgins on our wedding day and we’ve been living out our “happily ever after” from that day on!

Armed and Virtous Abstinence Ministry encourages young Southeast Texas women to save themselves for the husbands God is preparing for them.