When I was a little girl, my mamma was often working on a project called, “Aware”. The project was an educational resource that uncovered and explored environmental threats that people in Saskatchewan cannot see. My mom felt it was imperative for parents to know the risks and dangers their children were being exposed to without their knowledge.

How aware are you of the threats you are being exposed to today without your knowledge?

Being aware of your own thoughts and the world around you is a mighty way to live in the world. You will make the choices you most want to make when you are most aware of yourself and others.

This means practicing being present. This is a discipline.

Last week, I sat in the pew and the Pastor preached boldly about sin and it’s creeping, crouching nature.

When I become unaware of thought patterns that are not in line with God’s design, I relinquish my protective power in Jesus Christ. Anger, resentment, blame, bitterness, and victim-thinking can invade when awareness fades. Not only do we experience the negative effects of this, but so do the people around us.

The good news is we combat this by practicing presence throughout the day. Stopping is unnatural and defies the inertia of life. However, we gain perspective and connect to the power of God living in us when we pause to acknowledge His very presence with us.

Here are some five-minute strategies to strengthen your Awareness Muscles:

• A quick gratitude prayer

• A quick prayer for whomever you may be in conflict with

• Stopping to acknowledge God’s presence with you

• A short walk

• Focusing on God’s grace to you and love for you

When we do this, we become like Jesus. We are instructed to actually put His character on, like a brand new sweater.

“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

Romans 13:15

No one can see your thinking. That’s why it’s so easy to be unaware of it. Take the Awareness Challenge this week and notice yourself becoming more like Jesus, from the inside out.