A bent arrow needs to go.

Set up the bulls-eye.

Stand back.

Pull back on the string.

Send off the arrow.

One thing you learn, early on,  when wanting to have a successful shot in archery, is,  the condition of the arrow matters.

Does the arrow keep missing the mark?

It could be more than simply a bad aim.

Is the shaft straight on the arrow?

Are the fletching (feathers) correct?

Is there an index vane?

All of these things come into play in order to shoot a bullseye.

Words are like arrows.

Words carry energy.

What’s the condition of the arrow?

Yet, before the word comes out of the mouth, it’s the state of the heart that matters:

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, Luke 6:45.

“They . . . ” or,

“It’s all their fault!“

“This situation is hopeless!”

“This is the way things will be forever!”

Warning: Bent arrow.

Is there a repair for a bent arrow?

No. A bent arrow needs to be renewed.

When the arrows of my thoughts are bent, they aim at the ground, or to the left, or far right. Things just don’t fly right. This brings discouragement in every direction.

It’s time to think straight. It’s time for a new arrow of thought:

” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Hebrews 11.
Fear thoughts are easy to come by. Listen to the news everyday.  Open medical bills that insurance won’t pay.  Drive a car that is worn out in need of repair. Step outside your door.

Fear is a temptation we all have come our way.
But faith in God is a remedy of hope. No matter what.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you, 1 Peter 5:7.

 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 12:5,6). 

” Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Hebrews 11).
Fear thoughts are easy to come by: listen to the news everyday,  or open the accumulating bills that continually come your way.
We might not speak, but thoughts flow inside: “I’m worried about this.  I’m not sure about that!” 
But God’s word brings great repair to the ‘arrow’ of fear: “Cast all your cares on Me,  because I care for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5: 5-7).
God has a plan, and it is for good. To prosper and not to harm.
“God, help me believe and agree with You and Your thoughts toward me today.”
“Man aught always to pray and not lose heart.”(Luke 18:1).
Fear and Doubt thoughts are so easy as the bow of life gets pulled back and the arrows of our thoughts fly here there and everywhere and bend and the fletching falls off, and even the point breaks:
“I can’t go on!” or “I’m too tired. It’s too hard for me.” or “Everyone’s against me, Nobody loves me!”
But the hand of the Archer, He hears the cry, “Help me!” (Psalm 119:86).
The cry is also heard, “Revive me!” (Psalm 119:88),  when the ‘words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts’ need to change from ‘fear to faith.’
Jesus speaks and has remedy to our bent and messed up ‘arrows of thought that ‘miss the mark’: “Deny yourself…” 
Deny yourself thoughts that bring fear and doubt. “Deny yourself ...”
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24).
These words are repeated three times in the Bible. Perhaps we think on these words:
“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23).
We need to ‘deny ourselves’ the depressive thoughts and look to God and His word.
We need to deny ourselves the ‘fear’ and ‘doubt’ and pick up the ‘cross’ as Jesus prayed, “Not  My will but Yours be done.”( Luke 22:42).
We need to put off the  thoughts that are continually defeating us, depleting us, paralyzing us. Even in a third gospel are the words: “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34). 
Not ‘my’ will, that is ‘self-destructive, but God’s will be done. God’s will is that we think on what things are true, and noble and pure and lovely and just and of a good report. (Phil 4:8).
“Your will be done, our Father in heaven.”
“Be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:6).
What words are we thinking?
Let’s,“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving , let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ( Phil 4:6,7).
Let’s repair the arrows.
“All things are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
 God’s “grace is sufficient, for when we are weak, His strength is made perfect.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
“God did not send His Son in the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved! (John 3:17).
Words Power for good or bad.
God’s amazing Word has power to save and heal and restore and wash and light and feed – and even so much more – now that’s hitting the bulls-eye.
Struggling to find the right words to think, perhaps speaking in this hymn will straighten that arrow for God’s amazing grace:
Turn Your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
vs. 2:O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free.
vs. 3:Thro’ death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion For more than conqu’rors we are!