“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”—Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
When I start to feel anxious, I call on the Lord. We all have the gift of the Holy Spirit infused within us that can bring an inner calmness. It is a matter of shifting my focus from my problem (whether it is real or perceived) to God. If I am not careful, I can let fear and worry rule my head and heart.
Fear and mistrust can determine your actions. Trust brings peace. The best weapons against the current unknowns in the world today are praying and praising. If my thoughts turn to worry, It becomes a barrier between me and God. I can’t receive God’s promise of strength and peace in Psalm 29:11 when I am filled with anxiety. I need to remind myself that whatever I am thinking about is out of my control and trust that God’s got it.
While I need to be imprinting scripture on my heart, I also need to keep them there so that when those thoughts pop into my head that I can counterattack them with His Word. When I declare verses such as Matthew 6:34,Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” and 1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” it helps me control my thoughts. The enemy CAN NOT stop God’s Word.
When I am weakened by worry, God can give me the power if I will just give it to Him. The blessing I receive when I do this is peace. The problem may still be there but my anxious thinking is replaced with an inner peace. It is okay for me to question the unknown. That’s normal given what is going on in our world today but letting it consume me is not.
If you were to ask me if I was worried about my salvation, I would day, “No.” The Bible tells me if I have accepted God’s gift of salvation, love God, love others and obey His Word then I will one day see my Maker face-to-face. Having a personal relationship with Jesus gives me that comfort.
So why is it that I can say that with such certainty that I am saved, but question if God will provide for me and my family? When I worry, it is about the “what-ifs” in life….things that may never happen. I don’t want to live in a state of not appreciating today because of what might happen tomorrow.
What negative thoughts and attitudes do you wrestle with on a daily basis? What can you do to fill your mind with His Word to replace negativity? Spending time in God’s Word and knitting are two ways I have been redirecting my thoughts upward. If crafting isn’t your thing, try tuning into some Christian music, a podcast or or watch a funny show. I was thankful to be able to get some laughs last night on Facebook Live by Micheal Jr. Comedy.
When I worry, I am not in harmony with God because it puts a wall between us that blocks His peace. When I repeat my memory verses, it helps bring me back, but not always. If I am speaking it out but not believing His truth, it isn’t going to help me. Do I always choose worship over worry? “No,” but I am thankful for God’s grace and mercy that I have a chance tomorrow to get it right.
Dear Lord,
I trust You to guide me during these uncertain times. I ask for the Holy Spirit to control my thoughts and words I speak. Help me to unburden what is troubling my heart. I ask You to bless those with Your peace and transform despair into hope. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You and not what is happening around me. I praise You that Your Word tells me, You keep in perfect peace those who trust You and keep their thoughts fixed on You. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.
March Memory Verse
“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”—Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
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