Do you struggle with negative thoughts? God’s been hammering an important truth into me over the past few weeks.
I got really sick over Christmas and I think it was (at least in part) a result of stress. So, I’ve been working to address that issue the last several months.
I’ve been reading Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety by Elyse Fitzpatrick. (No, I don’t get money for recommending.) I’m reading it slowly and am about half way through. The main point of the book is that when we are fearful, controlling, or anxious, it stems from forgetting and/or not fully trusting in God. He is all powerful and holds all things in His hands. When we can really root that truth deeply in our hearts and minds, beginning symptoms of fear become prayer prompts to turn to Him and rest in Him, thus relieving our fear and anxiety. (If that’s a new idea to you, I recommend reading the book yourself, even if you’re not sure you agree with this premise. It’s very interesting.)
I have also been working to strengthen and initiate habits which will reduce stress and help me go the long hall in this new stage of life (back in graduate school). These are simple things that are easy to neglect like eating right, exercising more regularly, times to rest, and consistent time in the Word and in prayer.
God’s impressed on me lately the importance of incorporating into my prayer life praising God for who He is and reviewing Scriptures proclaiming who I am in Christ. This is to confront fear that comes from a faulty picture of who I am in Him.
That doesn’t make sense. Let me try again.
I have a tendency to readily believe and rehearse lies about myself. You know the kind. “You’re not good enough.” “You’re messing this up.” “What makes you think you could ever do that?” “You’re a failure. Why even try?” “You will never fit in.” “Who could ever think you’re beautiful?” I don’t need to go on, but I’m sure you could add to this list.
Here’s what I’m hearing over and over again from God lately: I need to fix my faulty thinking. I need a “renewing of the mind.”
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 2:2 (NASB)
I have value in Christ. You do too.
- “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
- “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
- If God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31).
- “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)
God is all-powerful (omnipotent).
- “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).
- “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2, though the context of Job 38-41 is a great reality check when it comes to our view of God).
- God proved Himself more powerful than Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt (Exodus 7-15).
- God proved Himself more powerful than Baal and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 18:20-19:8).
- God heals (i.e. 2 Kings 5:1-14; Mark 5).
- God strengthens (i.e. Joshua 1:9; John 16:33; James 1:2-5).
- God guides (i.e. Psalm 32:8; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 143; Psalm 23:1-4)
- God provided Jesus to take our penalty for sin, to die in our place (i.e. John 3:16-17).
- God provided a means for us to be saved while still being perfectly just and righteous (i.e. Romans 3:21-26).
- God cares for the “little” details of my life as well as the “big stuff” (i.e. Luke 12:1-7; Matthew 6:25-34).
- God knows all about me and you and LOVES us! (i.e. 1 John 3:1)
This hasn’t been a typical blog today, but I hope you take some time to really reflect on some of these verses. Let them seep into your heart and soul. Let them begin to renew your mind to be more like Christ.
I love you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, yet God loves you more!
EDITOR’S NOTE: The day this post went out to our E-Team I found these pictures on Facebook. God is good!
by Becky Armstrong-Woods: https://www.rvkhdesigns.com/artwork/
by Becky Armstrong-Woods: https://www.rvkhdesigns.com/artwork/
