Anxiety: What's the Mind got to do with it?

What's the big deal about what we think about? Don't think there's a connection between how we think and how we feel? There is most definitely a connection between anxiety/worry and what thoughts are going on. And even more so God Himself cares about our thoughts!!
Let's see what the Bible has to say about this:

Submit Your Mind to God

From the very beginning, God told us that our mind matters! Surrender does include our  minds.  The word says to surrender our Hearts, souls, AND MIND to God.  SO from the very beginning, God acknowledges that our minds are to be submitted to him as well. We cannot simply submit in action but not in our minds and think we are obeying Him...we are not...

Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit

It's so easy to think it's just about what we put into our bodies ie food. But our bodies also include OUR MINDS. What do we put inside our minds? What we must remember is that the Holy Spirit Himself dwells inside of us and we are called not to grieve the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can see and hear all that goes on - so make Him comfortable!  We cannot think anything and He not be grieved. We cannot let thoughts of hate or worry or whatever else just linger in our minds and think the Holy Spirit is just enjoying that. He's not, He's grieved!

We must realize that  in us having a wonderful PERSONAL relationship with Jesus it is not just going down the list of ABC's and 10 commandments Mindlessly; We must get personal. And it can be different for every person. And that's perfectly Ok. But what we do know is that God is not concerned only about our actions but also our thoughts.  He knows and loves those tiny details. He's not only grieved by what we think of others but what we think of ourselves. Throughout the Bible God tells us what He thinks of us, what He created us to be and what He wants us to do and He wants us to think in this way. So we need to remember that we must submit our minds to God and not grieve the Spirit by what's going on in the mind.

Why would I write a whole post on the mind? Well because I myself had no thought control. i thought my thoughts didn't matter much and I didn't realize all the things I wrote above. Over time, God began to reveal that to me. And that I was really putting my own self into bondage and keeping myself there because I was choosing to listen and dwell on the thoughts in my mind. But let me tell you that I have seen such great changes in my feelings and thought life when i took a stance against my thoughts. I no longer will not allow any thought to dwell in my mind. No you cannot stop thoughts that just pop up. They can be influenced by your flesh, the devil himself or the world. But if IS OUR job to take every thought captive and cast it down. If a sinful thought pops into your mind you are to cast it down. If you let some thought dwell then repent and cast it down. I came to realize it's not only my actions that matter but we see throughout the Bible our God is omniscient and He knows ALL!

But the truth of the matter with anxiety if you want God to free you from it one of the first steps is realizing that you are participating in this bondage. You must see that each time you let a thought stay you are strengthening that anxiety. If you let anxiety producing thoughts hang out in your mind...guess what? YOU WILL BE ANXIOUS!

So when you're feeling anxious take time to examine your thoughts. Don't accept that thought but challenge it! The first few times you do it , it may seem pointless but I can tell you from experience, strongholds WILL be broken off if you obey Him and choose to submit yourself in mind and honor the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you.



Read More

Meditations for the Anxious : Psalm 23

Tonight * I was reading Psalm 23 (the "Funeral" Chapter) and I realized that so many times we read it and think of it in the future ie we WILL have peace, rest, etc. But I recognize that David wrote Pslam 23 in the present; he wrote that RIGHT NOW "i shall not want" . It didn't matter what his situation was and he didn't wait for "tangible" or "visible" blessings as confirmation that that was true. He also didn't make it his life's goal to chase after peace, rest, comfort and make idols of them because he knew that no sitaution or mateiral possession could fulfill him. When we as followers realize that we have everything we need because we have the Great Reward we will too be able to stand like David in midst of trouble and declare "I shall not want".

** this post was originally written on September 3, 2012 and scheduled to post

Read More

Anxiety : The lack of Peace

Let's be honest and clear here. If we are anxious about something...we are not trusting the Lord. This is a truth that people often love to argue against and twist around. But worrying and anxiety is something that God straight up told us not to do [Philippians 4:6 for example].  But we will never stop worrying /being anxious UNTIL we admit this. Only then can we repent and move towards freedom.

No one LIKES anxiety. What we're really looking for is peace.
But why don't I have it??

Truth : Peace is a byproduct. According to Galatians 5, Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. If you look around at the world, that's what people are always searching for. We see actors and the richest people with no care in the world have no peace. WHY? Because the Holy Spirit produces it. We ourselves cannot produce it!

Practical Application #1:The Spirit-Filled Life.

There's nothing more practical than the Spirit filled life. Only following the Holy Spirit on a moment by moment basis will bring peace. I wish I had an easier answer than this. But peace only comes when we follow the Spirit. That means if you are living a life in rebellion to God then you do not have any LASTING peace [note that there is something called a temporary peace but what's temporary is nothing but a counterfeit] .

Practical Application #2: Taking Every Thought Captive/Embrace Truth.

So what if I am NOT in rebellion to God? Why then don't I experience peace? Well, one thing that I have learned in looking at David is that there is something about our thoughts. In an earlier post we discussed truth being the Gatekeeper. This is the practical "how to" of doing that. Literally we must choose to say "no" to that thought and "yes" to truth. Here's an example. Let's say we're worrying about messing up something so bad and not even the Lord can fix it. So, this is obviously a lie but what truth can we combat it with? Proverbs 3:5-6 promises that if we trust in the Lord He makes our paths straight. IF we cast down that lie we will then choose to think on this truth that God promises His protection and Guidance. This verse speaks on not just guidance and showing us where to go BEFORE we get into a "situation", but also tremendous favor and grace to overcome/plow through/protect us against any obstacles or enemies that might try to derail our path.

This verse shows us that we have NOTHING to worry about. We don't need to entertain the "whatifs". Why? Because He is Sovereign... He is in control. Not me. Not you. Not the President. Not your mom. But HIM. And if deep down in your heart, your motive and desire is to do His will, you will get to your destination because HE will get us there.  Our job is to walk and to trust and not worry and try to figure things out. Even if you make a "wrong turn"...He will simply "recalculate" and get you to where you are supposed to be. Taking every thought captive is simply us walking by the Spirit and choosing His way. If we seriously think on What Would Jesus Do? we would KNOW that He would BELIEVE Truth. That's exactly what He did in the desert when He encountered the Devil. He simply kept casting down those lies and choosing truth. The Word is the Spirit. So we must fight with TRUTH. It's not by our Strength or our own hands. Wield the Sword that God has provided for us! There is POWER IN THE WORD.

Read More