Reader's Question

Dear Moral Revolution Team
This year I am starting to make prayer and my word life a priority. I want to focus on just being in-tune with God. But sometimes my thoughts distract me about a boy. I really like him but I think about him all the time. Is this a problem and is this normal?

Team's Answer

We think this a wonderful question you are asking! We understand learning to manage your thoughts is a big deal ... especially when you are crushing.

Dann Farrelly says, "When you are crushing it is very important to not let go of your wisdom, boundaries, friends, values, principles, and leaders in your life. Crushing is dangerous because it can feel a bit intoxicating. Crushing presents the *illusion* that you are not responsible and not in control of what you feel, think, and do ... that you can't help yourself."

We absolutely agree with Dann's statement above and we are here to tell you that acknowledging you have feelings for someone is completely okay and normal! You were born to be attracted to the opposite sex and that is great! Now, if this guy is taking up all of your brain space and you can not focus on normal life stuff then YES, we'd say that is going to be a problem for you ... ie, not being able to focus when you are trying to read/pray.

Remember, just because you have a crush on this guy doesn't mean you are powerless to this crush. It is your job and responsibility to learn to manage your thought life and not live in a fantasy land.

Here are some practical ways to help you get your thought life in order:

How are you spending your time? Meaning, are you doing things to fuel this crush or are you going after your dreams and the vision you have for your life?

Do you know who you are and where you are going in life? People without vision tend to focus on what is right in front of them and aren't able to look up and dream about the future ...

Are you constantly checking his Facebook, Instagram, Twitter accounts to see what he's up to and who he's with? (This keeps your heart connected to him and fuels the crush)

Are you texting/calling him to try and keep yourself on his radar?

Are you listening to sappy romantic music that fuels this crush?

Are you reading books, magazines, blogs, etc that fuel this crush?

Do your thoughts turn to this guy when you are lonely, bored, tired, or wanting affection or affirmation?

Are you living in a fantasy world when it comes to this guy or do you honestly know him and have a great friendship with him where there is potential for an actual relationship to happen?

Do you trust the Lord to bring the right man into your life at the right time?

These are just some real questions to ask yourself to bring you back into reality.

Here are some versus to help get you jump started and encourage your heart.

"We are destroying every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and *we are taking every thought captive* to the obedience of Jesus Christ." - II Cor. 10:5 You can do this!

Proverbs 16:13 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Be steadfast in your time commitment to the Lord. If you started this year saying you would give more time to reading His word, praying, and spending time in the secret place with Him then DO IT. Be a woman who does what she says she's going to do even if you don't FEEL anything happening or see anything changing in your life. God will honor you and His word says if you commit your works to Him, your thoughts *WILL* be established. Sometimes our feelings take a little bit to catch up and that's okay.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” The Lord sees your heart. He knows you want to give all you are to Him. Continue to give yourself to the Lord and He will not disappoint you.

Here are a few resources you may want to consider:

BOOKS:

*Passion for Jesus* by Mike Bickle

http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Jesus-Cultivating-Extravagant-Love/dp/1599790602/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342651628&sr=1-1&keywords=passion+for+jesus

*Grace Walk* by Steve McVey

http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Walk-Always-Wanted-Christian/dp/0736916393

*Grace Land* by Steve McVey

http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Land-Steve-McVey/dp/0736904638/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339193610&sr=1-2&keywords=grace+land+by+steve+mcvey

PODCASTS:

*Your Head and Your Heart *by Jason Vallotton

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/your-head-your-heart-by-jason/id508515736?i=122915918&mt=2

We hope this has helped and bless you with clarity and tenacity to finish strong this year as you learn to manage your thought life!