Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Psalm 66:10: “You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.”

How would you describe the reality of your faith? Has your faith and endurance been tested lately? I think of Job in the Old Testament who was the biggest example of a godly man tested by horrendous trials. Yet, he declared, “When he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” Job 23:10. God uses suffering to refine us, as Peter offers faithful believers hope and comfort in 1 Peter 1:7, declaring, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

God says our faith is more precious than mere gold. Gold represents earthly treasures – material wealth, status, health, and achievements that come and go. When you look at any fine jewelry made of precious metal, remember this:

Explanation from Kenneth Wuest (Biblical Greek New Testament Scholar) of God’s refining fire:

“The picture here is of an ancient goldsmith who puts his crude gold ore in a crucible, subjects it to intense heat . . . The impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed off. When the metalworker is able to see the reflection of his face clearly mirrored in the surface of the liquid, he takes it off the fire, for he knows that the contents are pure gold. So it is with God . . He puts us in the crucible of Christian suffering, in which process sin is gradually put out of our lives, our faith is purified from the slag of unbelief . . . and the result is the reflection of the face of Jesus Christ in the character of the Christian. . . Christian suffering is one of the most potent means to that end.”

Look at a tea bag. You have to heat the water to a boiling temperature for the proper steeping time. “. . . like the boiling hot water that steeps the tea out of the bag, trials draw out the issues of life that reside in our heart. The trial is not the problem, nor does it create the issues of the heart. They are already “in the tea bag,” so to speak.” The Refiner’s Fire, Paul Tautges, September 18, 2020.

When you find yourself in a trial, you are in God’s refining process. Think about the refining process of gold and silver, stay with me, and then a simple tea bag in making a calming cup of tea to drink. When you find yourself in that situation pray Psalm 139:23, which says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

When you make your next cup of hot tea watch the process in your cup, much like the gold and silver jewelry you may have on your ring finger or around your neck, or in your jewelry box. How can you reflect more vividly the beauty of Jesus from the sanctifying, refining process God is using in your life? Not every hardship however is necessarily caused by God, as there are consequences for choosing to sin. Trials are associated with God’s refining work in our lives, whereas temptations are the enemy’s trap in our own sinful desires (James 1:14-15).

Reflect the beauty of Jesus today in living a cross-centered life due to His grace. He is at work in your life, refining you for His glory.

Listen to Matthew West – Hard Season (Official Music Video)

Psalm 121:5-6:“The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.” NLT

Do you have any unmet expectations causing you to feel alone and feel like you are in a situation that has sucked the sunshine out of your inner self due to the daily stresses, and pressures of life? “The brutal rays of the sun in the world of the Middle East could assault the traveler, such as the pilgrim on the way to one of Israel’s feasts in Jerusalem. God promised care for the traveler . . . . in the wilderness from Egypt and shielded them from the sun.” Blue Letter Bible Commentary. Safety was an obvious concern, along with the brutal daytime sun and the cold desert nights. So, the writer feels alienated, surrounded by conflict, and far from home among pagan people. Sound familiar? “Here the psalmist is saying that the Lord is a shield in that area that is vulnerable to attack.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. We can then apply that to our own vulnerabilities, despite our weaknesses God is our protector, even in our unmet expectations.

 We see God’s omnipresence in Psalm 121, as it declares that God watches over us and stands beside us, for He is always present in the fullness of who He is. However, that doesn’t mean we are exempt from physical or emotional pain. But whether it is hot or cold, day or night, God never leaves us and stays alert to any dangers around us. Hold onto that thought. Now look at Psalm 112:7: “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.” That points to God’s omnipotence – His sovereignty (1 Chronicles 29:11-13), omnipresence, and omniscience.

When you need that emotional shade over you, rest in Psalm 91:1-2, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty: This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust in Him.” There is God’s promise for us to trade our fears for faith in His protection.

In my prayer list notebook, I have 4 things written down that only God can solve. I look at them and wonder how they can ever turn out right and change, but I trust, have faith, and have placed Jesus as Lord over my life. Have you done that?

One thing I had been asking about for God’s answer, He abruptly did recently. God closed that door, and His answer was not my plan, as He has other blessings in store for me now, in this unmet expectation. So, my friend, whatever you need emotional shade for in your life remember, God is watching over your life; He is alert to any danger and is ready to help with your needs, so find rest in the shadow of the Almighty – He alone is your refuge and place of safety and has given you round the clock protection.

New Hope to put into action:

Whatever may be your presenting problem pray, “God give me peace from trusting You to protect me and give me Your grace that comes from my hope in You despite anything that comes my way unexpectedly from uncertain circumstances. I give You the praise and glory by abiding in your protective shade, as it says in Psalm 121:5-6.” That is the lesson to achieve of having contentment due to the sufficiency of our great God.

Listen to Matthew West You Tube- Hard Season (Official Music Video)

Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” ESV

What do you need hope for right now? What three things can you think of that only God can solve? I have my three on my prayer list, how about you? God is the source of hope. This verse was part of Paul’s benediction for his letter in Romans 15 reminding his readers that God gives us hope. He isn’t talking about looking at things “through rose colored glasses” or assuming tomorrow will be better than today. No, he is talking about God’s gift to us of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Hope comes from Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, and resurrection for those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. We have the already but not yet of our completion in the ongoing process of our sanctification. No area of our lives is untouched by God. He is not restricted by time, and His Sovereignty has no limits.

Roles OF The Trinity:

God the Father sent His Son (Galatians 4:4-5; 1 John 4:14), draws us to Christ (John 6:44), is judge (Hebrews 10:30), protector (Psalm 18:2), and provider (Matthew 6:30).

Jesus Christ, the Son, serves as Mediator between us and the Father (1 Timothy 2:5), satisfied the Father’s wrath toward the sin of believers (John 3:36), sympathizes with us (Hebrews 4:15), and asked the Father to send the Spirit to dwell in believers (John 14:16).

The Holy Spirit distinguishes us as children of God (Romans 8:9), fills us (Romans 8:11), convicts us of sin (Galatians 5:16; John 16:7-11), helps us in our weakness, prays for us Himself (Romans 8:26-27), guides us into Truth (John 16:33), Sanctifies us (Romans 15:15-16), and raised Jesus from the dead (Romans. 8:11).

Hope involves believing in something you/I don’t yet have. What is that for you right now? May Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus be your prayer as well: “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe in him. This is the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:18-20 NLT. Pray for the people involved, on your list that only Jesus can solve, that they’ll see Jesus. That is the root issue.

May joy and peace flood your soul as you trust God to meet your needs and lift your burdens. What is one promise of God that you can focus on today in putting off worry, bitterness, anger, despair, anxiety, and putting on joy, peace, love, gentleness, love, and kindness in their place due to God’s gift of hope? Mine is now Romans 15:13. Hope is the heartbeat of the gospel. We have HOPE in Jesus Christ that genuine change is possible, and Christ Himself is present and the truth from His Word is sufficient in every circumstance.

Listen to Leanna Crawford – honest (Music Video).

Psalm 84:5-7, “What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.” NLT

God’s living presence is our rock and shield. We know that, as Psalm 18:2 declares, “The LORD is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” We know we are to trust God’s sovereign will over our lives, but what do you do when things turn out differently than you maybe even prayed for? What do you do when circumstances seem to work against you – yet are they? You know God knows best, and His answer is not what you expected. So how do you navigate going through your own time of being (metaphorically) in the Valley of Weeping?

In ancient Israel times, the pilgrimage to the Temple, in Jerusalem, passed through a location that was referred to as the Valley of Weeping. However, the location was not identified because the Hebrew word baca can mean “weeping.” “Yet the psalmist’s description points to God’s power to turn spiritual deserts into overflowing springs. Even when dryness and need seem overwhelming, faith can stir divine grace that brings forth blessing, mirroring how the early rain signals God’s provision (James 5:7).” Blue Letter Bible Commentary.

We may go through several valleys, such as the valleys of grief, loneliness, health issues, disappointment in people, job downturns, rejection, and circumstances beyond our control. Did you ever think going through your own “Valley of Weeping” that the Lord has His sovereign control over, could be a time of blessing and sustenance by relying on the Lord’s presence to sustain you and to reveal and turn away from the sin of anger, pride, control, and/or complaining? God pours His heart into those that pursue Him. Sometimes one’s tears are the pathway to finding God’s comfort, guidance, wisdom, and direction. It is another time, in our sanctification, of growing in godliness, to solely rely on God and not anyone else.

Many years ago, after going through a multitude of trials, I discovered this verse, which I still call my banner verse: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Psalm 119:92. Then my prayer became, “Teach me Your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place.” Each adversity allows us to draw on and experience God’s faithfulness more deeply and to root out any false idols we may be worshipping.

So, if you are or in the future going through a time of the “Valley of Weeping” bring your pain to the Lord. Psalm 9:9-10 states, “The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.” Reach out to Him, seek Him first above anyone else. He is our hope, even while going through the “Valley of Weeping.” There will be an end, and it will be for God’s glory as you begin to grow stronger in God’s strength, as you seek Him with all your heart, soul, and mind (Deut. 4:29). Then rest in Psalm 84:11, “For the LORD God is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”

Listen to Matthew West “Chosen” (Lyric Video)

Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Jesus Christ.” ESV

How has your week gone? Anything made you angry? What made you discouraged? Have you been going through a trial of suffering? If so, take note of your emotions during times of anger, discouragement, suffering, and disappointment. Did you realize that all of this brings out the idols that are in our hearts?

Do you have the idol of performance, especially for significant others? You try to please a person rather than God. We fear more what others think rather than obeying God.

Another common idol is performance for self (perfectionism). We try to perform up to standards we have set. When we meet those self-projected standards, we feel good; when we don’t, we feel bad, because we follow our own list, which is higher than what God says. So, the new way of thinking biblically needs to emphasize contentment, self-control, humility, and honoring God through our actions and reactions. We should live out Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the LORD and not for men.” We need to seek God’s approval and not human praise. Our devotion should be to God above anyone else.

Now, taking this a step further, what new ways of acting in this area do we need to start? Oh, those words of affirmation from human lips- praise- don’t we all crave them, since they feed our ego? However, we don’t necessarily need words of affirmation or praise if we have God’s approval; if we do, we should be thankful. God is, after all, sufficient for all of our emotional needs. So, acting with a new way of thinking about the idol of self-performance is not chasing compliments. If God is pleased, then that is His plan of exalting us at the proper time, which is promised to us in 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” It requires putting on humility, putting off pride, relying on God’s guidance rather than our own strength, and trusting in God’s love and sovereign plan for us.

Yes, recognition and awards are nice, but they are temporary. When we dwell on our mistakes and imperfections, we become despondent and start wanting to be somebody. What about wanting to be needed, appreciated, and recognized for our input? We worship people, hoping they will give us flattering words to serve our own self-glory. That is idolatry and calls for repentance. Proverbs 1:7 instructs: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Reverential fear of God gives lasting peace and confidence in God’s protection, unconditional love, and faithfulness. Can anyone else fulfill this in our/my life?

I have to ask myself, are you holding your treasure in – man’s praise or God’s and what new ways of thinking and new ways of acting can you begin to do biblically instead?

“If you simply uproot some idols and fail to “plant” the love of Christ in their place, those idols will grow back, and those idols will bring some others with them because your heart is still not delighting in and satisfied with Christ.” Brad Bigney. Change your thinking, change your actions, and ground yourself in Colossians 3:1-2 NIV: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

God knows what you are facing this morning. He knows how to fix the troubles you don’t know how to fix. Engage biblically in new ways of thinking and acting in the idols of your heart you have identified having. Remember, God is sufficient and His approval is eternally supreme.

Listen to Anne Wilson’s new song. – Who I Am To You (Official Music Video).

Mark 4:37-40, “But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. The he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

We all face trials that are indeed storms, whether in our own lives or in the lives of someone very close to us. So often, we feel as if we shouldn’t have to deal with any difficulties because we want peace. What is currently in your boat of fear, like the disciples had in this situation? What do you fear? How many unmet expectations were involved? What caused your fear and anxiety?

Notice Jesus was in the storm too, along with the disciples. He was in their presence. Side note, this storm was so severe it took the properties of a hurricane, so no wonder these men were frightened. The disciples thought He didn’t care because He was sleeping, so they woke Him and complained, shouting, “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” How did they know they were going to drown? They obviously expected the worst and panicked. Don’t we do that too when we’re in our own boat facing a storm and maybe make similar accusations toward God? Anxiety distracts us, keeps us from having a clear focus on our vertical relationship with God. It causes us to only see what is right before us – our current circumstance, which is our horizontal – the things of this world.

Jesus encouraged the disciples and showed them compassion, reminding us that His patience remains with us even when we falter. Notice He rebukes the wind and the waves, but not the disciples. Who was the creator of the wind? That is who gave the order for this storm to cease immediately which it did! Jesus does not condemn them for their lapse of faith in God’s power. He wanted them to remember what they had learned from Him. He wants the same from us.

When facing life’s storms, believers can choose to trust God’s sovereignty instead of grumbling, “God, why didn’t you give me something better?” which reflects idolatrous discontentment. The better choice is to put off fear, resist it, and trust in God’s responsibility to provide His sovereign will and His intended result: shaping us more into the image of Christ (progressive sanctification), not merely relieving our pain. Then put into practice Philippians 4:6,7, which states, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Next time when anxiety and fear hit, ask what the cause of your fear is. Then remember, God is in this storm with you. When troubling and scary things happen remember what you’ve learned about God because He is teaching you again to rely on Him. So, ask Him, “God, what do you want me to learn out of this? Give me Your wisdom and calm this storm, because I know that You are right here with me in this boat.” The disciples’ lesson was to learn something about Him they wouldn’t have known otherwise: God is sovereign over everything that comes our way. It seems I need to learn that lesson over and over in my own life. Put your name in Mark 4:30, “Then he asked ___________, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Listen to Matthew West – Truth Be Told (Official Video).

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV, For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

What have your thoughts been about recently? Our minds never shut down, and we often keep talking to ourselves about what is going on or how we are being treated. Then our motives influence our emotions. These emotions are one way our hearts express what we crave, treasure, and serve. Our emotions reflect what our idols are – what we worship. They reveal what has captured our hearts. Paul taught that we are to take every thought captive to obey Christ in our battles. Jesus declared in Matthew 12:34b, 37, “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. . . The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

How about when you are waiting in line, and the line doesn’t move? Impatience, right? How do you react to computer problems? Perhaps fear, disgust, or outbursts come out due to receiving a poor customer service representative in your plea for the correct solution. Our frustrations and unhappiness show in our thoughts. For example, you arrive on time for an appointment and have to wait 10-15 minutes or longer for the other person to arrive, or sitting in the Doctor’s waiting room can be annoying because we have other things to get done that day as we wait. Or maybe you dwell on, as I have, “I did it again! I can’t do anything right!” Or you fall into judgmental pride, and you wonder, “How did that person ever get a driver’s license? What an idiot!” That is a common reaction here in So. California. We have all been there, caught up in our own tornado of anxiety.

But what if we stopped and ran our thoughts through Scripture’s filter and asked ourselves, “Do my thoughts honor and glorify God? Is there anything I can thank and praise God for here, as every moment of my day He has sovereignly permitted, as Romans 8:28-29 states”. We so often quote, but do we (I) live it?

Paul’s defense (2 Cor. 10) was that he was powered by divine authority. His goal and purpose were spiritual transformation to destroy strongholds of the bad fruits/roots in life, which are: idolatry, anger, quarreling, selfishness, pride, lack of self-control, envy, not trusting God, jealousy, bitterness, and not trusting God’s sovereignty and justice. And to put on instead the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, and is defined by joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, trusting God, and honoring God through our actions, thoughts, and emotions (Gal. 5:22-23).

Remember, God doesn’t waste anything. He uses all things to conform us to be more like Christ, called progressive sanctification. When our thoughts become more Christlike as God transforms us into a new person by changing the way we think (Romans 12:1-2), we are redeemed, and our aim is to please God rather than ourselves in learning God’s will for us.

So, the question to ask is, how am I doing at taking every thought captive to obey Christ in captivating my emotions to make me obedient to Christ? Write down verses such as Ephesians 6:13-17 (the armor of God to put on) in your journal or on 3 x 5 cards, or even in the Notes app on your cell phone. Assault errors in one’s thoughts with God’s truth from His Word. That is where the victory will come and stop those tornadoes brewing and to “always be full of the joy in the Lord (Philippians 4:4a),” by taking every thought captive to obey Christ.

Listen to Matthew West – Come Alive (Lyric Video).

Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

We all go through trials and suffering, and that is when we are tested in if we truly trust God or not, yet God’s love and protection remain steadfast. This is when we have the opportunity to ask: where and in whom do we place our ultimate sense of security? Do we really trust that God loves us and is our shield, refuge, and stronghold in times of trouble, as David wrote in gratitude for God’s justice and deliverance in Psalm 9:9, which gives us hope? Fears can creep in as Satan throws his darts of doubt and may inflict us with insults and setbacks from people we didn’t expect. Then we may give way to feelings of failure, frustration, shame, and maybe guilt. Does this sound familiar?

The tornado of anxiety can erupt if not checked by our faith in God’s sovereignty over our lives, which is essential for trusting His plan instead of trying to control everything ourselves. Scripture guides us to “put off” the bad roots in our hearts that lead us to seek self-desires. We try to work harder to control our fear, and all the “what ifs” flood into our minds. The next usual reaction is that we start to feel angry, alone, depressed, might have bitterness, resentment, pride, envy, and jealousy towards others, and seek false beliefs in coping techniques. These bad roots start to grow in our hearts, which Scripture warns us to “put off” in Galatians 5:19-21. Bad roots in our hearts produce bad fruit, leading to anxiety, frustration, and disappointment as we try to control what is God’s responsibility, such as others’ feelings, behaviors, choices, actions, and responses. We can control only our own emotions, thoughts, words, and responses, not others’.

When something troubling comes up and the future looks bleak, I’m tempted to react with those bad roots found in Gal. 5:19-21. We must ask ourselves: Whether these circumstances look bleak or hopeful and does my trust in God last only as long as the threat seems distant, or do I trust God first? So, it comes down to relinquishing control of what is God’s responsibility versus what is ours. We need to “put on” good roots/good fruits, found in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the Holy Spirit produces the kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Suffering and trials expose what is in our hearts. Adversity enhances our need for the teaching in God’s Word, as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

What do you need right now? Talk to God, seek Him and trust in Him rather than people. Put on Philippians 4:4-7: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Who or what do we (I) need to seek first for any situation? It is found in Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Listen to Hope Never Fails – Zach Williams, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Daigle, & Chris Tomlin.

Philippians 4:8, “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.”

Anxiety is the most common and biggest struggle people deal with. When anxiety takes residence, worry and then depression normally result. Be alerted to recognizing Satan’s tactics. It is a sure sign that Satan has used his weapons of temptation to play havoc in your life with guilt, shame, frustration, and failure. He did it first with Eve in the garden, and he hasn’t stopped ever since, planting divisive seeds of doubt in our mind, will, and emotions, which is our heart. As Louie Giglio has said, “Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table.”

During my lifetime, I have only known three men who never had any problems with anxiety. One was quite well known, who was John MacArthur. He even said he and his wife, Patricia, never argued because he believed so strongly in knowing and understanding God’s sovereignty. Honestly, I find that amazing. He taught that if one wants to be free from anxiety, one’s theology needs to be grounded in God’s sovereignty and repentance and having an active trust in God’s providence. Food for thought.

Everything starts in our heart (mind, will, and emotions). We must examine our motives and think biblically all the time. We have biblical examples such as David prayed to God in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Paul taught in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Then Peter declared in 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” And now look what Paul transparently wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:28, “And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” Paul carried strong compassion, empathy, and concern for the young churches, worrying about whether they would stay true to the gospel and free from false teachings and inner strife. Then in 2 Corinthians 1:8 we see that Paul experienced despair as he states, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God.” Note that Paul doesn’t talk about all of the details, just that they thought they were going to die and realized it was out of their control. They stopped relying on themselves and recognized that their hope was in God’s rescue (2 Cor. 1:10), which did take place.

So, the next time you feel ready to panic instead of first running to your best friend and complaining, as I have been guilty of, try praising God for His faithfulness, grace, and mercy. This shift can help one feel hopeful, reminding of His loving kindness and promises, which can bring comfort during anxiety. Then put the expected results of your burden in God’s hands.

I don’t have all the answers and fail many times. Old habits are hard to break, as anxiety is the most common struggle we all face from time to time. But work at being God-dependent and not people dependent. Transform your thinking by God’s Word; be set free, as it declares in Philippians 4:8: “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.”

Listen to Charity Gayle – I Speak Jesus (Lyrics) ft. Steven Musso.

Psalm 62:5-6, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence. For my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. ESV.

What causes you to have anxiety? We’ve all been there throughout our lifetime, and I believe that it is the most common struggle suffered. Is it your schedule of things you are responsible for getting done by a certain time frame? Is it physical stress on your body, or is it more emotional stress – or maybe both? Have you ever had someone tell lies about you and were jealous of your role? David wrote Psalm 62 when his son Absalom was throwing a rebellion against David. He had political strategy to steal the hearts of the people against David as king. 2 Samuel 15:13-14 states, “A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!” “Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!” David urged his men. “Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster.” I would say David had reason to be anxious for his life and the safety of the city’s innocent inhabitants, wouldn’t you?

David spoke to God about all the emotions he felt in this threatening situation, and it was with his own son. The band of men, along with Absalom, told lies against David, and all of them were trying to kill David. But David reaffirmed his faith in God. Prayer can release our emotional tension in anxious moments. What if, instead of running to a family member or best friend, we did what David did in Psalm 62 – waited quietly before God, prayed, and believed victory would come from God (Ps. 62:1)? David’s hope was from God, and his strong God-based foundation was built solidly upon his trust, faith, assurance, and hope in God. He called God “my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”

We say we know God is in control, but do we live it during those excruciating emotions when we are stressed out physically and emotionally? I fail at this so many times. David further declared in Psalm 62:7, “My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” David gave gratitude and praise to God for protecting him, answering his prayer, even though it was painful to lose his son Absalom.

So, you have another new problem? Read Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” This reminds you that God’s presence is a steady source of comfort, helping you feel supported when facing challenges.

What has caused you anxiety this week? Have your next step be Psalm 37:7a, NLT: “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.” Don’t be shaken. God is in control; He is omnipresent, which means He is everywhere, and He is with you right now and loves you completely. We cannot control other people’s thoughts, desires, words, choices, actions, and responses in the outcomes of any situation. But we can control our thoughts, desires, words, choices, actions, and responses in our emotions. So, give it to God. Wait for Him to answer you. You can trust Him. Remember, when we attempt to control what is God’s responsibility, it will result in anxiety, frustration, and disappointment. Pray Psalm 62:5-6 out loud. Let that quiet your anxious heart as you read that passage and others in the book of Psalms, as David became one of the greatest hymn writers in writing out prayers to God. God used music in David’s life as he sang to God often. God knows the answer. Be encouraged. Have hope. Be an encourager.

Listen to Cece Winans – Come Jesus Come (Official Video)