Overwhelmed

Psalm 16:8: “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

Psalm 18:2: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Have you been feeling overwhelmed with what you have to juggle throughout your day? Is there some situation that has  you in exhaustive turmoil? Do you feel like you need a personal anti-fatigue cushion mat?

I have been there recently. I have had a work related problem that has taken up my time and efforts for a whole week. I do not know when or how our perception of the correct answer will be accepted by the other party. Or if it will be accepted at all. So I wait. The turbulence has caught me by surprise. It has caused me difficulty in moving forward. My sense of wellbeing and stability has been interrupted. I hate to admit that my self confidence has been attacked. However, I must refocus my mind on God’s word, rather than my problem.

Memorizing scripture and getting it deeply rooted and planted in my soul, will give me the added endurance and physical strength and intellectual sharpness for this current battle. My thoughts will then be redirected on what Paul exhorted the believers in Philippi to do in Philippians 4:8:“. . . 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,” instead of focusing on an exasperating problem. That is what I am having to do today right now. Have you had the same experience this week? Do I have any “Me too!” out there?

When I am memorizing God’s Word, I am sharpening my mental brain cells with truth and focusing on Him, rather than me. Starting out my day with keeping the perimeter secured (see previous post “Securing the Perimeter”) from my God and I time, will strengthen me for the battles of life. A wise friend recently challenged me last week to start memorizing scripture and expounded on all of the benefits that memorizing does for the brain. I did some research and he is absolutely right. There are significant mental benefits in hiding God’s word in your heart, by memorizing God’s truth. His light will shine forth in our heart and mind by our brain spitting back to us specific verses in the Bible when we need them the most, if we have memorized scripture. That is our needed ammunition along with prayer, and then a time of praising and giving thanks to God for all He has already done, will bring our minds back in proper focus and concentration.

10 Proven Benefits For the Brain From Practicing Memorization:

• Trains the brain to remember.
• Challenges the brain.
• Recall of information takes place in the brain quicker.
• Helps the brain respond quicker and be more agile.
• Has been known to save brain power.
• Learn to have focus naturally.
• Essential in learning new concepts.
• Improves short term memory.
• Frees up the mind to have better creativity.
• Higher cognitive skills and sharper minds for years to come.

Another benefit from memorizing scripture is peace will replace mental chaos. Try committing this verse to memory: Romans 12:1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Paul was declaring to the believers in Rome, that they should be continually changed by the renewing of their minds from reading God’s Word. We should be doing this frequently and on an ongoing schedule of routine. Our conscience will then be sharpened and in tune with God’s ways constantly. We will be better able to discern His will for our lives by being saturated in committing God’s truths in our hearts. This change will then be made radical from the inside out. I want God to radically change and renew and transform my thinking by His Holy Spirit, as it states in Deuteronomy 11:18: “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”

Another verse that I recommend memorizing is Psalm 19:7, I call it my CPR verse: “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Yes! God refresh, and restore my soul and make me smarter in life! Help me not to do and say stupid stuff! I love that word reviving!

God’s love for us never diminishes. Memorize Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” That verse reminds me of the old hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Then the song went on to say: “Morning by morning new mercies I see. Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not. As thou hast been thou forever will be. Great is thy faithfulness.”

Since God is upholding the universe, He is upholding you and I and supporting, defending, confirming, and sustaining us every day and moment by moment. His love for us never stops. His compassion, His grace, His forgiveness, His generosity and kindness, never comes to an end. Each morning starts with a fresh slate with God. Great is God’s continuing commitment and promises to us as Romans 8:28 declares: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” I needed to be reminded of that very verse right now.

Need to push the pause button of your life for a few minutes? Inhale deeply. Exhale deeply. Then pick up your Bible, which is “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) and make a deliberate effort at memorizing some verse, a whole section, or an entire chapter of Scripture. It will cause the brain to be sharper. It will increase your intelligence. Focusing back on God’s power and security will naturally take place. It will help you stay young. It will have significant mental health benefits.

I challenge you to commit to a plan of memorizing scripture. Hide God’s promises in your heart. Let them steep in your soul so they travel from your heart up to your brain. Then when you are tempted to become discouraged, overwhelmed, and have anxious thoughts, specific verses you have memorized will pop up and you will be able to stand firm and combat Satan tempting you with his weapons of guilt, shame, frustration, or failure. I have struggled with feelings of failure, guilt, and frustration this week. Then I felt ashamed for not rising above this crazy problem at work and allowing it to disrupt my week.

I recently discovered a free app called “Scripture Typer.” It has three simple techniques to help one memorize scripture. Type it. Memorize it. Master it. It is now my tool that I am putting into practice in sharpening my brain power by memorizing God’s Word. It even reminds you when you need to review a verse you have memorized and mastered!

My prayer today: God, I thank and praise You for your faithfulness in listening to my needs that I continue to give to You. Yes, even my disappointments that I share with You, alone. You never tell me: “You’ve already said that!” Thank You! I need to trust You moment by moment, and I ask that You help me in the details where I am feeling overwhelmed and replace those emotions with the facts from your precious promises that I have committed to memory. I had forgotten that my battle is not mine but Yours’ dear God. You fight for me as it says in Deuteronomy 3:22 and 2 Chronicles 20:15b (“. . . for the battle is not yours but God’s.”). Give me your wisdom and transform me by renewing my mind radically from Your Word. I realize what problems I face today will not necessarily matter two weeks from now. Give me strength for today and may I replace throwing my hands up in the air with my hands together, and fingers pointing up to You. Now, I am ready for another day as I recite verses that are my sword of the Spirit!

If you have felt overwhelmed this week, please know that I am praying for you and so relate. What verses are you then going to start to memorize? Now it is your turn to talk. Leave a comment about a verse you plan to commit to memory. I would love to hear what they are!

Enjoy listening and watching this special You Tube by Joseph Cheetham-Wilkenson: “One of Those Days Lord. I’m lonely, I want to spend time with Jesus.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtwO1gJ-wk4