I enjoy many modern-day conveniences, and you probably do, too. These inventions have made our lives easier and saved us time. I certainly aim to be comfortable. Unfortunately, we can rely on them for direction and to make life decisions. We can allow them to influence the how, what, when, where, and the who in our lives instead of the Holy Spirit. Be aware that what you are accustomed to is what you elevate.
Just a little bit
What you allow your eyes to see and ears to hear matters. The things you allow your senses to engage in determine what’s elevated in your life. Just a little bit of prayer or studying the Bible can propel you forward for Christ. On the other hand, just a little bit of sin and disobedience can send you spiraling down. Sin always takes you further than you want to go. It’s wrapped in a pretty box with glitter and a bow. You have feelings, wants, needs, and desires that should be fulfilled. Sin makes you feel like you deserve that pretty box.
As a reminder, sin goes way beyond a sexual sin. The Bible is our guide for the definition of sin, and that’s how we must interpret it. I speak about it often, how just a little bit of gossip has pitted people against each other and ruined relationships. Just a little bit of anger, envy, and covetousness has physically harmed and even killed people. The devil wants you to become comfortable in your pride and arrogance and justify your actions. His goal is to get you to the point where you no longer recognize yourself. Your actions don’t identify with Christ. You have elevated what you allowed yourself to become accustomed to.
Product of your environment
Becoming a product of your environment is because what you are accustomed to is what you elevate. The circumstances and habits you continuously expose yourself to are usually what you repeat in your life. Whether or not you were born into it, or due to your choices. From the human perspective, that can be bad or good. If it’s abuse, poverty, etc., it means that’s what will repeat in your life. If it’s love, a good family, etc., that will repeat in your life. Now, because we don’t speak or live by the human perspective, but from the Lord’s perspective. We are a product of God, thank you, JESUS!
If you were exposed to the good stuff, amen. But you have not arrived. God is refining you for His purpose, just like He’s refining those who were exposed to the bad stuff. Although the bad stuff seems permanently engraved on your heart. The scarlet letter on your life. God said he will give you a new heart. You have His power to speak life over your life. God is your Father, and you are a child of the MOST HIGH. Call on Jesus through the tears, fears, and fiery darts that the devil is throwing at you. Christ went to the cross for you. He endured death for you so you can live. He knows you by name and all the details because He made you in His image. You have another opportunity to become accustomed to God’s truth and cultivate and elevate a new environment.
In conclusion
The devil will use people, situations, and even you to belittle yourself. The Holy Spirit will never speak derogatory to you. However, in His compassion, mercy, grace, and love, He will correct you. The scriptures aren’t only to cover someone else; they are for you. Prayer is not only for calling on God for someone else; it’s for you. GET UP and quote a scripture back to your Savior. LIFT YOUR VOICE and call on Jesus. You are His sheep; you belong to Him. And because of that, He said MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME, John 10:27.
How you view the Lord and navigate this life are contingent upon your mind and thought process. Remember, what you are accustomed to is what you elevate. The things you think about and engage in are what’s going to play out in your life. God gave you a mind capable of discerning wisely because the Holy Spirit resides in you. Choose to know who you are positionally in Christ and not be bound by your past.

Action Item(s)
- Read John 10.
- What are you elevating in your life?
- Is there something or someone you are allowing yourself to become comfortable with, and it does not align with God? If so, this is blocking your blessings, breakthroughs, and the Fruit of the Spirit.
- Is there an area of your life that needs refining?
- Are you allowing your hurt past to dictate your present and future? If so, this is blocking your blessings, breakthroughs, and the Fruit of the Spirit.
- Quote scriptures to yourself and back to the Lord. Pray for yourself.
- Have you believed the lies of the devil, who is not your father? You can pivot. Choose to believe your Heavenly Father, the one who paved an eternal way for you, shortcomings and all, Romans 5:8.
Love this Carol. All of it! Thank you for sharing so much wisdom in this. Going to work on some of this myself.
Love you friend
Ashley, Amen! This is a continuous surrendering for me as well. Thank you!