Transformational Thought
I have noticed lately how easy it is for people to share their shortcomings, perhaps because of the struggling economy. They readily confess that they suffer from all types of physical, material, or emotional problems. It doesn’t take much prodding to learn they have lost a job, experience financial struggles, have a bad temper, or that they are self-centered … they will even tell you they are “not that smart.”
But one thing no one wants to admit (to themselves or others) is that they are cowards. No one likes to let on that they are afraid of anything. Of all our human frailties, cowardice seems by far the least popular. Yet we all struggle with feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, so we all experience small and large fears pretty regularly.
Fear gets in the way of so many things in our lives, but this is not how God wants us to live. Fear shows doubt regarding God’s sovereignty, His love for us, and His power over our problems. Remember His answer for our biggest concern: we were headed for eternal damnation because of our sin until Jesus died for us. God has an answer for every predicament, need, suffering, or anticipated suffering.
Pray for and develop courage from God, the only true and lasting source of real and triumphant courage. Then you will free yourself from the fears that keep you from God’s peace and joy. You see, God’s word speaks to us clearly about the need to be brave and “fear not.” This message is contained in virtually every book of The Holy Bible. When we really put on the full armor, then actually use it, bravery is an automatic outcome.
What concerns you? What do you worry about or fear? Why? What do you need to believe differently about yourself and about God for your fear to go away? Usually problems result from distorted views about what really is painful, how much pain we can handle, and the power, promises, and peace God provides when we are in pain.
Today, identify some of your vulnerable or fearful areas. Take God’s promises seriously and see how it affects your vulnerable spots. Again, a decision you need to make many times a day … God’s protection or the world’s. Your decision will either keep you captive to fear and the world … or set you free. So choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, on the outside I am tough, but on the inside I am so stricken with fear. I am such a coward. God, please give me courage. I need courage in all aspects of my life. I need courage to do good and to resist all forms of evil. I need courage to follow Your commandments and to overcome my fears, both rational and irrational. Give me the courage I need, Lord, to win the struggle against neuroses and anxieties. I need Your courage to overcome my addictions and to persevere though the storms in my life. Give me courage, Lord, to give witness to Your truth and to do great things in Your name. Father, I pray that all in the Stepping Stones community gain Your courage and lose their fear. Remove their fear, Father, and give them Your peace … the peace that surpasses all human understanding. I pray in the name of my rock and refuge, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
John 6:20
After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."
Genesis 15:1
Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.
Micah 4:4
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”
Revelation 1:17
Showing posts with label Worry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worry. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Stepping Stones: Eliminate Worry-Time
Transformational Tip
A book written about ten years ago titled the Knowing-Doing Gap. The book’s premise; in general we all know what we should and should not do, but there is a huge gap between knowing and actually doing. We shouldn’t smoke…but we do. We should overeat…but we do. We shouldn’t worry…but we do. At Lighthouse Network, we call that your Intellectual Creed vs your Behavioral Creed.
For many, to try not to worry is like trying not to think about something; the more we try, the more anxious we become. So we even begin to worry about worrying. Trying to fight this battle alone gets to be so counterproductive.
Perspective…how we view ourselves, God, and the circumstances He allows in our live…is the key to good decision-making. Will you have God’s perspective or your own. Big difference. Sometimes it is hard to have God’s perspective, but the more time you spend with Him, the more time you get to know Him and His perspective becomes much clearer to you. Stop focusing on worry and put your energy in communicating with God. This strategy will help you achieve freedom from all sorts of negative behavior, including worrying. The idea is simple; replacing hurtful, self-defeating tendencies with something wonderfully positive – communicating with your Creator and Savior.
Today, don’t just talk to God…listen to Him as well. He speaks to you through His Holy Word, His Holy Spirit, the circumstances He allows in your life, and through other believers. As you give yourself more and more to communicating with Him, you will find your worry-time evaporating and the knowing-doing gap closing. Your intellectual creed will become your behavioral creed. WITHIN REACH will help you do what you know is right. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on eliminating worry-time.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You in prayer with a thankful and penitent heart. I confess that I struggle to find the time to communicate with You…yet I seem to always find the time to worry about so many things that are out of my control. I have battled this worry-beast for years and have made little progress. Help me Father to focus more on You and less on worrying. Help me both speak and listen to You. I pray in the name of the one whose Intellectual Creed was His Behavioral Creed, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Luke 12:25-26
Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me,For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5
A book written about ten years ago titled the Knowing-Doing Gap. The book’s premise; in general we all know what we should and should not do, but there is a huge gap between knowing and actually doing. We shouldn’t smoke…but we do. We should overeat…but we do. We shouldn’t worry…but we do. At Lighthouse Network, we call that your Intellectual Creed vs your Behavioral Creed.
For many, to try not to worry is like trying not to think about something; the more we try, the more anxious we become. So we even begin to worry about worrying. Trying to fight this battle alone gets to be so counterproductive.
Perspective…how we view ourselves, God, and the circumstances He allows in our live…is the key to good decision-making. Will you have God’s perspective or your own. Big difference. Sometimes it is hard to have God’s perspective, but the more time you spend with Him, the more time you get to know Him and His perspective becomes much clearer to you. Stop focusing on worry and put your energy in communicating with God. This strategy will help you achieve freedom from all sorts of negative behavior, including worrying. The idea is simple; replacing hurtful, self-defeating tendencies with something wonderfully positive – communicating with your Creator and Savior.
Today, don’t just talk to God…listen to Him as well. He speaks to you through His Holy Word, His Holy Spirit, the circumstances He allows in your life, and through other believers. As you give yourself more and more to communicating with Him, you will find your worry-time evaporating and the knowing-doing gap closing. Your intellectual creed will become your behavioral creed. WITHIN REACH will help you do what you know is right. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on eliminating worry-time.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You in prayer with a thankful and penitent heart. I confess that I struggle to find the time to communicate with You…yet I seem to always find the time to worry about so many things that are out of my control. I have battled this worry-beast for years and have made little progress. Help me Father to focus more on You and less on worrying. Help me both speak and listen to You. I pray in the name of the one whose Intellectual Creed was His Behavioral Creed, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Luke 12:25-26
Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me,For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Stepping Stones: Half-Minded Living
Transformational Tip
No one has to remind you of the high cost of anxiety. Anxiety, worrying, causes or worsens many diseases, affecting every body system…high blood pressure, heart trouble, blindness, migraine headaches, strokes, thyroid malfunctions, hormone imbalances, asthma, psoriasis, autoimmune disorders, infections, a host of stomach disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety disorders, and even cancer.
Remember, fear and anxiety, being concerned, can be normal responses from your warning system letting you know when potential danger or something wrong is happening. Worry is excessive anxiety/fear in a situation…or anxiety/fear when no reason. We worry when we get deceived, when False Evidence Appears Real(FEAR), and when we stop trusting the promises, character, and instruction of God.
Worry divides the mind. The biblical word for worry (merimnao) is a compound of two Greek words, merizo (“to divide”) and nous (“the mind”). We are divided between the truth and deception…between today’s priorities and tomorrow’s problems…part of our mind is on the now; the rest is on what might happen tomorrow. The result is half-minded living.
Today, remember that worry has never brightened a day, solved a problem, or cured a disease. Examine what you are worried about and identify false evidence you are believing and insert God’s character, promises, and instruction. Your worries will melt when you trust with your whole mind, not just half of it.
Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on half-minded living.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know that worrying is futile and accomplishes nothing…but I still worry. Help me, Father, to stop my worrying and to focus my energy “whole-mindedly” on You. I ask for strength for discipline to be in Your word, learning Your instruction, and experiencing Your character and promises, so I can flush out the deceptions that fuel my worrying. I pray in the name of the one who died for my biggest fear, eternal condemnation, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.
Matthew 6:27
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”
Luke 12:22
Humble yourselves, therefore, 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. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:6-10
No one has to remind you of the high cost of anxiety. Anxiety, worrying, causes or worsens many diseases, affecting every body system…high blood pressure, heart trouble, blindness, migraine headaches, strokes, thyroid malfunctions, hormone imbalances, asthma, psoriasis, autoimmune disorders, infections, a host of stomach disorders, addictions, depression, anxiety disorders, and even cancer.
Remember, fear and anxiety, being concerned, can be normal responses from your warning system letting you know when potential danger or something wrong is happening. Worry is excessive anxiety/fear in a situation…or anxiety/fear when no reason. We worry when we get deceived, when False Evidence Appears Real(FEAR), and when we stop trusting the promises, character, and instruction of God.
Worry divides the mind. The biblical word for worry (merimnao) is a compound of two Greek words, merizo (“to divide”) and nous (“the mind”). We are divided between the truth and deception…between today’s priorities and tomorrow’s problems…part of our mind is on the now; the rest is on what might happen tomorrow. The result is half-minded living.
Today, remember that worry has never brightened a day, solved a problem, or cured a disease. Examine what you are worried about and identify false evidence you are believing and insert God’s character, promises, and instruction. Your worries will melt when you trust with your whole mind, not just half of it.
Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on half-minded living.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know that worrying is futile and accomplishes nothing…but I still worry. Help me, Father, to stop my worrying and to focus my energy “whole-mindedly” on You. I ask for strength for discipline to be in Your word, learning Your instruction, and experiencing Your character and promises, so I can flush out the deceptions that fuel my worrying. I pray in the name of the one who died for my biggest fear, eternal condemnation, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.
Matthew 6:27
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”
Luke 12:22
Humble yourselves, therefore, 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. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:6-10
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Stepping Stones: Anxiety Will Eat You Alive!
Transformational Tip
Anxiety and worry are enemies. Anxiety comes from the word “Fretting.” The definition of fretting is to eat away or corrode the surface of something. It makes sense doesn’t it? Think of the negative effects of worry;
Today, take notice of when you worry or are anxious. Look at the list above. Remind yourself of God’s sovereignty, then ask what God is teaching or telling you. Click here to anonymously share with the stepping stone community the ill effects of worrying that you are experiencing. Help others know and understand they are not alone.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You worn down and consumed by worry. I know that You see this Lord as a form of disbelief in You; forgive me Father. I thank You Father for the Holy Scripture that tells me over and over again that God will provide for all my needs. I want to believe You deeply. Help me Lord to see the difference between healthy concern and futile worry. Help me first seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, fill my thoughts with Your desires and to serve You and obey You in everything I do. I pray this with authority in the name of Jesus, and all God’s people said, – AMEN!
Anxiety and worry are enemies. Anxiety comes from the word “Fretting.” The definition of fretting is to eat away or corrode the surface of something. It makes sense doesn’t it? Think of the negative effects of worry;
- It can damage your health
- It can cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts
- It can reduce your productivity
- It can negatively affect the way you treat others
- It distorts your view of reality
- And most importantly, it reduces your ability to trust in God
Today, take notice of when you worry or are anxious. Look at the list above. Remind yourself of God’s sovereignty, then ask what God is teaching or telling you. Click here to anonymously share with the stepping stone community the ill effects of worrying that you are experiencing. Help others know and understand they are not alone.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You worn down and consumed by worry. I know that You see this Lord as a form of disbelief in You; forgive me Father. I thank You Father for the Holy Scripture that tells me over and over again that God will provide for all my needs. I want to believe You deeply. Help me Lord to see the difference between healthy concern and futile worry. Help me first seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, fill my thoughts with Your desires and to serve You and obey You in everything I do. I pray this with authority in the name of Jesus, and all God’s people said, – AMEN!
The Truth
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”
Matthew 6:25
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:1,2
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”
Matthew 6:25
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:1,2
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Stepping Stones: Stop Worrying and Start Living
Transformational Tip
Today's title is so overused, such a cliché. But worrying is one of the most destructive of all human habits. When we worry it decreases our effectiveness across all areas of our lives. The reality is that we worry about things that haven't even taken place yet...and may never happen. Mark Twain said it well; "I am an old man and I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened."
Worry is excessive time, energy, or resources spent while using distorted negative lenses to evaluate the future, especially things that are out of your control. Concern is using the appropriate time, energy, or resources while using Godly lenses to evaluate the future things that are within your control and really seeing potentially dangerous obstacles to Godly living . Since our time, energy, and resources are finite, worrying is spending resources on our kingdom and detracting from endeavors God wants us to be involved in to impact His kingdom. Worry is truly a selfish activity.
Not only is worry destructive and me-centered...worrying demonstrates unbelief; worry means that we do not believe that God can look after the details of our lives...He will shirk His responsibilities!
Today, stop when you are getting tense, anxious, worried, or spending too much time thinking about something negative. Determine whether you are using Godly lenses and are concerned about the impact to God's kingdom, or worried about the impact to your kingdom. Then look deep into your heart to see where you are putting more faith in your ability to control that which is out of your control instead of trusting God to be who He has promised to be. Observe how God's involved in your details today. You will learn a lot about yourself and His desire for you.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for being the Ruler over all things...and Your omnipotence to take care of anything the way You know is best. Thank You for taking care of all my needs in the way that will help me grow, taking into account my past detours instead of following Your path for me. Please give me eyes that see Your involvement in my life in every detail, and when I can't see, strengthen my trust in Your track record and Kingdom rather than trusting my own track record and wanting my kingdom agenda. Give me the courage to look deep into my heart for the idol I worship above You when I worry, and the power to believe You will take care of that pain more than my idol will. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ - AMEN!
The Truth
So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food, drink and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?
Matthew 6:25
"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not"
Mathew 6:27
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you
1 Peter 5:7
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.
And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."
And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Matthew 8:24-27
Today's title is so overused, such a cliché. But worrying is one of the most destructive of all human habits. When we worry it decreases our effectiveness across all areas of our lives. The reality is that we worry about things that haven't even taken place yet...and may never happen. Mark Twain said it well; "I am an old man and I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened."
Worry is excessive time, energy, or resources spent while using distorted negative lenses to evaluate the future, especially things that are out of your control. Concern is using the appropriate time, energy, or resources while using Godly lenses to evaluate the future things that are within your control and really seeing potentially dangerous obstacles to Godly living . Since our time, energy, and resources are finite, worrying is spending resources on our kingdom and detracting from endeavors God wants us to be involved in to impact His kingdom. Worry is truly a selfish activity.
Not only is worry destructive and me-centered...worrying demonstrates unbelief; worry means that we do not believe that God can look after the details of our lives...He will shirk His responsibilities!
Today, stop when you are getting tense, anxious, worried, or spending too much time thinking about something negative. Determine whether you are using Godly lenses and are concerned about the impact to God's kingdom, or worried about the impact to your kingdom. Then look deep into your heart to see where you are putting more faith in your ability to control that which is out of your control instead of trusting God to be who He has promised to be. Observe how God's involved in your details today. You will learn a lot about yourself and His desire for you.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for being the Ruler over all things...and Your omnipotence to take care of anything the way You know is best. Thank You for taking care of all my needs in the way that will help me grow, taking into account my past detours instead of following Your path for me. Please give me eyes that see Your involvement in my life in every detail, and when I can't see, strengthen my trust in Your track record and Kingdom rather than trusting my own track record and wanting my kingdom agenda. Give me the courage to look deep into my heart for the idol I worship above You when I worry, and the power to believe You will take care of that pain more than my idol will. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ - AMEN!
The Truth
So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food, drink and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?
Matthew 6:25
"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not"
Mathew 6:27
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you
1 Peter 5:7
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.
And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."
And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Matthew 8:24-27
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stepping Stones: Live in "Day-Tight" Compartments
Transformational Tip
How much time and energy do you spend fretting and worry about thing of tomorrow?, next week?...next year? What if you could lay the blueprint of your life right now? Figure you'd love this option and your life would be set, right? Why then is the divorce rate 40%.....the lemon law necessary.....so many returns after Christmas....so many transfer colleges....or switch majors....or change jobs. All these are where we select what we want. We have almost no control of the future, even less knowledge of what's to come, and limited idea of what we really need to grow.
Try to live one day at a time, try to live in "day-tight" compartments. Take what God brings you today and be great with it because it is the perfect gift for you from the perfect gift giver. You don't need to return it...you can't!!! Don't let tomorrow's concerns seep into today. Today is all we can truly need, now.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I thank You for all your blessings. I pray that You help me learn to accept the limitations of living one day at a time, trusting You with all my heart. Teach me Lord to release all worry and problems into Your care. Doing this brings to my life such a beautiful simplicity. I release myself and all my loved ones into Your care my Lord. I pray You will bring Your healing grace to in my life and into the lives of those I love who suffer from sickness, fear and wariness.
I pray to You my God to help me live a life close to You. Contrary to how the world thinks of You, a life lived closed to You is not complicated or cluttered. When I focus on Your presence within me, all things that once troubled me lose their power over me...and life takes on a beautiful simplicity. The world around me is messy and very confusing, but I remember that You have already overcome this world. You have told me these things through Your Word so that I may have peace.
I pray in the name of Jesus - AMEN
The Truth
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
How much time and energy do you spend fretting and worry about thing of tomorrow?, next week?...next year? What if you could lay the blueprint of your life right now? Figure you'd love this option and your life would be set, right? Why then is the divorce rate 40%.....the lemon law necessary.....so many returns after Christmas....so many transfer colleges....or switch majors....or change jobs. All these are where we select what we want. We have almost no control of the future, even less knowledge of what's to come, and limited idea of what we really need to grow.
Try to live one day at a time, try to live in "day-tight" compartments. Take what God brings you today and be great with it because it is the perfect gift for you from the perfect gift giver. You don't need to return it...you can't!!! Don't let tomorrow's concerns seep into today. Today is all we can truly need, now.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I thank You for all your blessings. I pray that You help me learn to accept the limitations of living one day at a time, trusting You with all my heart. Teach me Lord to release all worry and problems into Your care. Doing this brings to my life such a beautiful simplicity. I release myself and all my loved ones into Your care my Lord. I pray You will bring Your healing grace to in my life and into the lives of those I love who suffer from sickness, fear and wariness.
I pray to You my God to help me live a life close to You. Contrary to how the world thinks of You, a life lived closed to You is not complicated or cluttered. When I focus on Your presence within me, all things that once troubled me lose their power over me...and life takes on a beautiful simplicity. The world around me is messy and very confusing, but I remember that You have already overcome this world. You have told me these things through Your Word so that I may have peace.
I pray in the name of Jesus - AMEN
The Truth
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Stepping Stones: Fear Debilitates
Transformational Tip
We spend so much time and energy worrying. I have nights tossing and turning, playing different possibilities for the next day over and over, unable to fall asleep......worrying or nervous about that meeting, confrontation, financial dilemma, job decision, marriage conflict, or issue with a child. Not knowing what the outcome is going to be, or fearing that a "bad" outcome is guaranteed fuel a burning of wasted energy and effort.
Why do we waste time on situations that might not happen and we have no control over. Instead, spend your time and energy on facts and experiences you know.
Think about God, His sovereignty, His love for you, his power over all things, His ability to work miracles. Believe He can bring you peace during the adversity/opportunity He is allowing in your life just like He did for Daniel in the lions den and Shadrach, Meshac, and Abendego in the fiery furnace. Be excited about what He is teaching you and how you will be better after the challenge you will face.
Just imagine a life where you can transform fear and anxiety into productive energy and action. Seek today to achieve the "Mind of Christ". Rely on Your Lord's strength today, not yours.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I trust in You for You are my strength. Help me this day turn my fear and anxiety into energy that I can invest in trusting You and sing your Song. The battle of control for my mind is raging, and the years of worry and doubt make me vulnerable to the enemy. Please take control of my mind Lord. Help me Lord to not worry about my weakness...for I know you will use this weakness to draw me closer to you. Knowing that Your spirit is within me gives me comfort...that I do not fight theses battles alone. Help me build my faith that You can take what looks so often to be bad and make it good. I pray in the name of Jesus - Amen
The Truth
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord is my strength and my song.
Isaiah 12:2
Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!"
And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.
As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!
My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."
Daniel 6:16-22
22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."
25 He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.
27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way."
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:22-30
24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.
25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."
26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Matthew 8:24-27
We spend so much time and energy worrying. I have nights tossing and turning, playing different possibilities for the next day over and over, unable to fall asleep......worrying or nervous about that meeting, confrontation, financial dilemma, job decision, marriage conflict, or issue with a child. Not knowing what the outcome is going to be, or fearing that a "bad" outcome is guaranteed fuel a burning of wasted energy and effort.
Why do we waste time on situations that might not happen and we have no control over. Instead, spend your time and energy on facts and experiences you know.
Think about God, His sovereignty, His love for you, his power over all things, His ability to work miracles. Believe He can bring you peace during the adversity/opportunity He is allowing in your life just like He did for Daniel in the lions den and Shadrach, Meshac, and Abendego in the fiery furnace. Be excited about what He is teaching you and how you will be better after the challenge you will face.
Just imagine a life where you can transform fear and anxiety into productive energy and action. Seek today to achieve the "Mind of Christ". Rely on Your Lord's strength today, not yours.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I trust in You for You are my strength. Help me this day turn my fear and anxiety into energy that I can invest in trusting You and sing your Song. The battle of control for my mind is raging, and the years of worry and doubt make me vulnerable to the enemy. Please take control of my mind Lord. Help me Lord to not worry about my weakness...for I know you will use this weakness to draw me closer to you. Knowing that Your spirit is within me gives me comfort...that I do not fight theses battles alone. Help me build my faith that You can take what looks so often to be bad and make it good. I pray in the name of Jesus - Amen
The Truth
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord is my strength and my song.
Isaiah 12:2
Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!"
And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.
As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!
My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."
Daniel 6:16-22
22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."
25 He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.
27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.
28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way."
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:22-30
24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.
25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."
26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Matthew 8:24-27
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Stepping Stones: Fear and Worry Rob You of Today's Abundant Living
Transformational Tip
The only purpose of fear and worry is to rob you of today's abundant living. Know God loves you and sacrificed greatly to provide for your biggest problem. He is just as faithful to provide for all your smaller problems as well. Trust the Lord to open the way as you go, for with Him, nothing is impossible.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I thank you for the precious gift of today. Help me focus on the gift you have given me today. Help me Jesus, for I am already grasping for and worrying about future gifts. Help me to gratefully receive today's gift, unwrapping it tenderly and delving into it's depths. As I take pleasure in this gift...I find you within it.
I thank you Lord for Your peace. Through your peace I am learning not to give into fear and worry, for their only purpose is to rob me of abundant living. I hold Your hand in trusting dependence, the future looks uncertain and even precarious...but I hear you tell me that this is exactly as You want it to be. Secret things belong to You my God...and future things are secret things. When I try in vain to figure out the future, I am grasping at things that are Yours. Show me the next stepping stone Lord, and the stone after that, and the one after that. I will relax and enjoy this journey in Your presence, trusting You to open the way as I go. I know with You, nothing is impossible. I pray this with a thankful heart - Amen
The Truth
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
The only purpose of fear and worry is to rob you of today's abundant living. Know God loves you and sacrificed greatly to provide for your biggest problem. He is just as faithful to provide for all your smaller problems as well. Trust the Lord to open the way as you go, for with Him, nothing is impossible.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I thank you for the precious gift of today. Help me focus on the gift you have given me today. Help me Jesus, for I am already grasping for and worrying about future gifts. Help me to gratefully receive today's gift, unwrapping it tenderly and delving into it's depths. As I take pleasure in this gift...I find you within it.
I thank you Lord for Your peace. Through your peace I am learning not to give into fear and worry, for their only purpose is to rob me of abundant living. I hold Your hand in trusting dependence, the future looks uncertain and even precarious...but I hear you tell me that this is exactly as You want it to be. Secret things belong to You my God...and future things are secret things. When I try in vain to figure out the future, I am grasping at things that are Yours. Show me the next stepping stone Lord, and the stone after that, and the one after that. I will relax and enjoy this journey in Your presence, trusting You to open the way as I go. I know with You, nothing is impossible. I pray this with a thankful heart - Amen
The Truth
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
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