‘What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.’ Job 3:25(NLT)
‘Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.’ Psalms 23:6(NLT)
‘While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.’ Mark 5:35-43(NLT)
‘Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. ‘ Romans 8:5-7(NLT)
‘And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ‘ Philippians 4:8(NLT)
‘Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. ‘ Colossians 3:2(NLT)
‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.’ 2 Timothy 1:7(NLT)
When we live in seasons of anxiety, we sometimes find ourselves focusing on only the negative aspects of our lives. Our minds become cluttered with unwanted thoughts. We do not have to stay in a spiral of despair. God gives us the ability to overcome our negative thoughts and change them into truth.
God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control (2Tm 1:7). Using the power within us, we must set our minds on who we are as God’s children. When we turn our thoughts from fear and dwell on the truth, of who Jesus is and what He is doing, our faith can move mountains.
Let’s continue to seek the things of God even in seasons of fear. We need to dwell on what is true, right, noble, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. We can train ourselves to dwell on these things through prayer, time in God’s Word, and fellowship with fellow believers.
Father God, thank You that through Your Son, You have called me to a life of peace. Lord, help me find peace in You. I praise You for giving me a mind that can focus on You. Give me the heart that seeks You above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
from Love God Greatly: Fear & Anxiety