"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" Phillipians 4:8
I woke up this morning with a sense of anxiety washing over me. I hadn't even sat up in bed yet and I could feel my body conforming to the effects of fear & stress. I squeezed my eyes tight and tried to focus on prayer. I can't figure out where this feeling is coming from exept to blame it on satan because like 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline" I know these feelings do not come from God.
I've said it here before and it makes total sense when I find myself in this situation, THE MIND IS A BATTLEFIELD! What starts as a little thought grows and gains momentum in my mind and if I'm not careful…..it becomes a full-blown distraction! One that robs me of joy & peace. As a Christian, I then grapple with how weak is my faith if I can't control what troubles spin me into an unhappy state of mind. I have to honestly ask myself — Do I really trust God? Do I believe His promises for me? Much like the prophet Habakkuk who didn't totally understand the calamity his nation experienced, I get it that crummy things happen & crippling fear sneaks in. I also believe (like Habakkuk) that God will make my feet like the feet of a deer and cause me to walk in high places.
The world is full of evil & suffering. You can bet that God sees every bit of it. That's why I celebrate my promise of heaven, my real home. Especially at moments that seem too much to handle. Romans 8:18 says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us". For the mornings like the one I've had today, I can be assured….NOTHING compares with the joy that has been laid up for me in heaven.
"Count it all JOY, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds" James 1:2
Lord
Your love for me is more than enough. Help me when my flesh is weak and I can't see the good for the bad. Fill my head with your promises so that my faith can spill onto those around me….looking for you!
Amen