How to Soothe Your Anxious Heart (Pt 3)

When Your Church Fails You: A Message For the Disheartened

Anxiety is not that simple because it is often misunderstood to be simply that a person is stressing too much. There is a distinct difference between the sin of anxiety (fear and worry of being caught in your sin) and the mental health disorder of anxiety that is characterized by physical changes in the brain. Anxiety is both a mental health issue and a spiritual issue. 

In principle, anxiety is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. It often includes panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Sadly, anxiety disorders are on the rise which makes it critical for the Church to understand the epidemic on our hands. 

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the world, affecting millions aged 18 and older, every year. It is highly treatable, yet only 37% of those suffering receive treatment. People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders. It is developed from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. 

Today anxiety will creep up unexpectedly. It normally happens when we’ve put, too much, on our plate or we say too many yeses. Our body wants to say no. finally, it shuts down in ways we don’t expect. God didn’t design us to hustle 24-7. He designed us to Be Still and Know. To ‘Be still’ means to rest in God’s presence. This verse wasn’t written in the context of taking a spa day. It was written in the context of war. It means to stop; cease striving and stop fighting and acknowledge God. Daily we should learn to be still before our Lord. That means to be un-busy, not hustle and free your mind. We are to prioritize our time with Him and listen to what our bodies need. Rest, exercise, a good bedtime routine, eight hours of sleep, consume healing foods and meditate on God’s word. This is how we war against the battle of anxiety. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, when I feel crushed by my worries, lift my mind, and help me to see the truth. When fear grips me tight and I feel I cannot move, free my heart and help me to take things one step at a time. When I can’t express the turmoil inside, please calm me with Your quiet words of love. Father, I choose to trust in You, each day, each hour, each moment of my life. 

God, I know deep down that I am in Your grace, forgiven, restored and by Your sacrifice, You have set me free. In Christ’s name Amen. 

How to Soothe Your Anxious Heart (Pt 2)

I could have very easily let my thoughts be on the worst possibilities and worry the day away. Instead, I slowed down to ask myself “how can I overcome my fear and anxiety?” The only biblical way I could see to handle the fear was to choose to trust God, and “bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”. (2 Corinthians 10:5) I had to control my thoughts, rather than letting them run away and paralyze me with fear. 

Jesus teaches acceptance, both of the world and oneself. Acceptance starts by understanding your anxiety further and recognizing the causes and solutions for your anxiety symptoms. 

One of the reasons that people find Christianity helps them overcome anxiety is because at the core of anxiety is fear. Fear over the unknown and the belief that specific things in your life are important. Christianity teaches values that promote less anxiety, specifically because the belief in Christianity runs directly counter to the issues that cause anxiety. For example: 

The bible teaches that fear of the unknown shows a lack of faith in God. Everything is supposed to be the result of God’s plan. If you’re allowing yourself to be overcome by anxiety and fear, then you’re showing that you don’t have total trust in God. The more trust you have, the more confidence you have in God’s ability to turn things around.  

Christianity also teaches that death isn’t something to fear. A life lived in God’s path is designed to help you get to heaven, which is the ultimate goal of Christianity. This is seen in many Christians that adopt the religion after experiencing profound stress. Jesus gives their life purpose, which helps them overcome the belief that death is something to fear. 

Today, many people also have personal fears that affect them. For example, someone may fear embarrassment, or they may fear spiders, or they may fear socializing. All these personal fears go against the belief in God, which is that your fears are selfish thoughts when God has a plan for you. Personal fears can be hard to control, but a healthy consistent belief in God can help you overcome anxiety. The core of believing in God is about trust over every uncertainty and fear in life and so this belief can be used to allow people to stop anxiety. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)  

Let’s Pray Yahweh, I come before You to lay my panic and anxiety at Your feet. Father, when I’m crushed by my fears and worries, remind me of Your power and Your grace. God, fill me with Your peace as I trust in You and You alone. I know I can’t beat this on my own, but I also know that I have You, Lord, and You have already paid the ultimate price to carry my burdens. For this, I thank you, in Christ’s name Amen.

How to Soothe Your Anxious Heart (Pt 1)

Worry and nervousness have gripped our world. Anxiety will present itself, but you don’t have to live there. The answer to anxieties is to go to God as soon as you sense worry. Don’t wait. Pray immediately and ask for His strength to help you. Today’s verse Philippians 4:6 has three steps to soothe your anxious heart: 

1. Pray about everything. if I do what Philippians say and pray about everything, that does include everything. God is strong enough to handle all our worries. If we give all to Him we can break from the pressure that we put on ourselves. 

2. Tell God what you need. Don’t use the excuse that He already knows. Actually, He knows even more than you do. We get so caught up in our wants, that our real needs are often hidden. God wants us to always come to Him about everything. He listens and is glad when we feel comfortable talking with Him. 

3. Thank Him for all He has done (and will do). Gratefulness goes a long way to covering our anxieties. When we keep a list of all our blessings, they often crowd out my anxieties. Add to that a list of hopes and promises, which also will take up the space where fears want to live.  

Today when worry comes knocking, remember that the Lord is your light and salvation. Doubt, fear, and anxiety may seek to surround you with darkness that you can’t move forward. This is Satan’s goal—to stop you from living out your faith in God. But God is always your light, especially when anxiety threatens to darken your path. Why should you be afraid with that much light all around you (Psa 27:1)? 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I thank you that I can come to You always for any reason. Father, I’m grateful that when I pray to You, You answer me. Help me to come to You at the beginning of my fears and anxieties instead of waiting until I can’t stand them anymore. The quicker I go to You the better. God, I know You want to free me from ALL my fears. Help me look to You for help more often so I can be radiant with Your joy. In Christ’s Name Amen. 

Trials Are Momentary

Aren’t you glad that Scripture promises that our troubles and trial are only momentary? When compared with eternity, our troubles won’t last long, they are not eternal! The second part of today’s verse tells us, that when we stand strong in faith during times of adversity, we are building faith, which achieves eternal glory, which will always outlast our trials.

When you confess your trust and reliance on God, you are passing the test for eternal glory!

If you are in the middle of tough times today, look to God. The Bible says that Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith. He is the one who writes faith on your heart, and then develops it to completion on the inside of you, as you yield yourself to Him.

Today, your part is to seek Him. Follow His commands. Open your heart and choose to speak His Word which is alive and active. Remember, your trials are only momentary and light, but His eternal glory outweighs it all and last forever, from this world into the next. Hallelujah!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for preparing me for Your eternal glory. I cast my cares on You, knowing that my trials and troubles are momentary and light, compared to the wonderful eternity You have for me, according to Your Word. Thank You for Your eternal blessing on my life, which begins today and will last forever, beyond this life and into the next, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Something New

When The New Year Doesn’t Feel Like The Start Of Anything

Everybody loves something new, from shoes to smartphones. Today’s verse says God is doing something new with you right now. Can you see the “brand-new thing” God is doing in your life? Sometimes it’s easy to see the hand of God moving, and sometimes the storms of life can cloud our vision. But no matter where you are in life today, meditate on this truth that God is working, even when you can’t see Him.

Just like a seed buried deep in the ground, it may seem dark and lonely, and there may be dirt all around, but that is the place where new springs forth. In your old stale, dark situation trust that God is doing a new thing! You can trust Him because He is faithful! His plan for you today is blessings. His plan is to give you a future and hope. His plan is to do a new thing in your life.

Today, let go of the thoughts of the old past, and push through your dirty life, and open your heart to the “brand-new thing” God has already started in your life. Ask Him to show you what He’s doing. Ask Him to reveal it to your heart and mind. So, seek Him with your whole heart and you will find Him, and see the brand-new thing He’s doing in you!

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for pushing through my stale, dirty life and doing a new work in me, even when I’m not paying attention or deserve it. Father, thank You for the brand-new thing You have promised me. God, I open my heart and put all my faith and trust in You, now and always, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Dream Killers

Over the years in church, I having been the subject of much gossip, I have concluded that one of the tactics the devil employs is the negativity of other dream killers. Question: have the negative opinions of others caused you to water down your dreams? I had to learn that there will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what God has said, and what you say and believe about yourself.

The greatest thing I believe we must learn, is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In  the book of Romans, the apostle Paul is saying, “it doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” Remember, when God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass; it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to believe and follow the voice of God for yourself, and allow Him to order your steps.

Today, God sees the hidden treasures that He has buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of negative people, defeated thoughts and dream killers, and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limitations off your dreams and goals, and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?” (Romans 3:3, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for the dreams and successes You have buried in me from the day I was conceived. I refuse to listen to the naysayers, critics and dream killers that the enemy has placed in my life. God, today I choose take off the limits in my mind and of the people around me, and embrace the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. I beg you God, to empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill Your plans for me, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Keeping Up With The Jones

Growing up in the UK, when people bought something new, we used to say that they were trying to “keep up with the Jones’s (trying to compete with your neighbours).” It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more gifts, instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to my neighbours and friends.” The problem with this unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle.

Did you know there will always be someone ahead of you? But it’s very freeing when you realise, “I’m not in a competition.” I don’t have to have as big a house as my neighbour to feel good about myself. I don’t have to keep up with my co-worker. I don’t have to be a certain size. No, I understand that I’m not in competition with my friend, my neighbour or my co-worker.

Today, say to yourself “I’m going to be the best me that I can possibly be, I’m going to run my own race, I’m going to stay in my lane, I will not compete with anyone.” Now, that’s an attitude God can work with. When you focus on being who God made you to be, that’s when you’ll rise up higher, and position yourself for every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I humbly come to You giving You all that I am. Father, help me keep my eyes on You and no one else. Please work on my heart and mind, so I will learn to stay in my lane and run my own race. God, I want You to be my only focus. I want to be free from competition today, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Faith is Greater Than Fear

How to Deal with Chronic Fear and Anxiety

So many people today are living with less than God’s best, because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the number one negative emotion, and the greatest weapon the enemy uses to try to hold us back. Fear is not from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. Over a hundred times we are told to “fear not.” It’s designed to paralyse us and keep us from God’s blessings.

I’ve got good news! God-given faith is greater than your fear. His power in you is greater than any power that comes against you. Hallelujah! In order to walk in His power, you have to close the door on the enemy, the enemy can’t have access to your life unless you open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, what we say and who we hang with. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy opportunity.

Today, if you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of your life, you can be free, you can be finished with fear. Conquering the enemy starts by making the choice to close the door on fear, and instead, meditate on God’s promises and His sacrifice. For the Word says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! Let His truth and what He has done for you sink down into your heart. Declare it out of your mouth. Let God set you free by praising Him, and watch Him lead you into victory as you close the door on fear!

“Do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” (Ephesians 4:27, ISV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Father, thank You for giving me power, love and a sound mind. I declare I will stand on Your promises and share all You have done for me, because that will make me overcome fear and other negatives in my life. Fill me with Your peace and joy today, as I move forward in victory with You, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

I Want To Live

Today, I’ve noticed that people look sad and down. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to give us abundant life. Not only did He come to give you life in eternity, but He desires that you experience abundant life here on earth. He wants your relationships to be vibrant and alive. He wants your dreams to be alive. He wants your body, heart and mind to be alive and full of vitality. God is the source of all life, and when you seek Him, you will find Him, and the result will be everlasting life.

Are there areas in your life that need to be resurrected? Are there things that you’ve put on the back burner that you need to revive again? Do you need hope or faith for something today?

Today, seek God and allow Him to breathe His life into you. Seek Him with your dreams; seek Him with your plans. Seek Him in all things, and you will find His abundant life, and everything you set your hand to will prosper in Jesus’ name.

“…Seek me and live.” (Amos 5:4, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for giving me abundant life, both now and in eternity. God, I don’t want to just survive, I want to live a powerful, happy and excited life. So God, I give You my dreams and my plans, resurrect them and make them live. I humbly seek You today, giving You all that I am. I ask for Your hand of blessing and guidance in everything I do. In Christ’ name! Amen.

His Timing

The most difficult thing for me in Christianity is waiting on God. I’ve had to learn that God doesn’t always work on our timetable. He rarely does. But in a single moment, God can change your life! In the Bible, we see God instantly turning things around for His people. Scripture tells us He is the same yesterday, today and forever, which means if He did it for them, He can instantly turn things around for us, too!

Right now You may be going through a difficult trial, be encouraged because your times are in God’s hands. Trust that He has your best interests at heart. He wants to pour out His favour in your life. He wants to take you further than you dreamed possible, and work in your life in ways beyond what you have ever imagined.

Today, resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing, keep hoping and keep believing, because He is working on your behalf. Have faith because your timings are in His hands, and He will lead you in the amazing life He has for you!

“My times are in Your hand…” (Psalm 31:15, NASB)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I humbly come before You giving You my all. Father, I trust that my times are in Your hands. I trust that You are working things out in my favour. God, I set my focus on You, knowing that You are working things out for my good, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Imagine

One of my favorite songs starts out by saying, “I can only imagine.” When was the last time you imagined God doing something supernatural in your life? Is there a relationship that needs restoration? Is there a business you’ve wanted to start, but are holding back? If there were no limitations on your life if anything were possible, what would you be willing to imagine?

Remember, the only limits on your life are the limits you have in your mind, and God wants to do exceedingly more than you can ever imagine today! He wants to overwhelm you with His goodness, and amaze you with His faithfulness. But in order for Him to exceed what you’ve imagined, you have to at least be imagining something!

Today, why don’t you take a step of faith and let your imagination come to life? Begin to see in your mind all the possibilities for your future. Meditate on the amazing things God has done throughout history. Let that seed of faith take root in your heart. Hold on to His promises because He is faithful. He is able to exceed your expectations and go beyond what you can imagine!

“For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:11, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Father, I submit my imagination to You. Help me to see what You see for my future. God, please help me to take the limits off of my thinking, so that I can receive everything You have in store for me, in Christ’s name! Amen.

Trust God Not Man!

Just Like Dad

Have others ever labelled your faith as stupid or foolish because you didn’t follow the crowd, or it wasn’t a matter of life or death?  Have you ever thought about why Peter wanted to get out of the boat? Why did he all of a sudden think he could walk on water? Well, you might say, “It’s because he saw Jesus open the blind man’s eyes and cleanse the lepers.” Yes, that’s true. But, the other disciples in the boat saw the same things. Why didn’t they want to get out?

Peter trusted Jesus and believed He would keep him from sinking. He also believed that it was his time to show Jesus, and others, how he trusted Him, so he stirred up his faith. He believed at that moment that he could do what God placed in his heart. Jesus said, “Peter, do you want to get out of that boat?” He said, “Yes, I do.” Jesus replied, “Well, come on out.” Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Peter, stay in that boat, are you crazy, that’s a foolish thing to do.” No, He said, “Peter, I like your attitude of faith. I like the fact that you trust me with your life, and are willing to take me at my word and not follow the crowd, and that You believe you can do great things.”

Today, have Peter’s kind of boldness and faith! Start believing that your time is here to get out of the boat and leave the crowd, risking your life! It’s time to go against the grain and follow God’s Word, so that the dreams that you’ve buried, those desires that you thought would never work out, will come to fruition. Friend, it’s time to start believing again. It’s your time, and it’s time to step out of the boat even, if you have to go alone. Trust God not man!

“And Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come!’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:28–29, AMP)

Let’s PrayYahweh, today I choose to believe Your Word over human ideology. Father, I believe You are faithful to complete the good work You’ve started in my life. I choose to hear Your voice over the ridicule of the crowd, and step out of the boat at Your Word so I can receive my miracle. I thank You in advance for bringing to pass the dreams You’ve place in my heart, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Perseverance

What Do you need from God today? Finances? Good health? Restoration? Deliverance? God has promised all of these things to you in His Word, because it’s His desire for you to live abundantly. If you follow the will of God by obeying His Word and precepts, it opens the door for His promises to be fulfilled in your life. You may be doing all of the right things – don’t give up! Perseverance will carry you to the promise.

When you persevere you are focused, you are believing what God says about your situation. It’s looking away from distractions and any negative, defeating thoughts. Perseverance looks away from discouragement and looks to the Word of God. The voice of perseverance will speak to you, saying things like, “no weapon formed against me shall prosper! If God is for me, who can be against me? I am more than a conqueror through Jesus!” 

Today, whatever you are believing God for, keep believing! Stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. Ask God to give you endurance, perseverance and patience, so that you can see His promises fulfilled in every area of your life!

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your promises to me. Father, I ask that You give me a heart that is steadfast and fixed on You. Fill me with Your peace and perseverance, so I can hold on until all your promises come to pass in my life, and live in victory all the days of my life, in Christ’ name! Amen.

By Hearing

Our Unchangeable God in an Ever-changing World

God’s truth sets us free and causes our faith to grow! Scripture tells us that every person has been given a measure of faith. Faith can grow and increase, or it can be diminished. Today’s scripture doesn’t say, “Faith comes by having heard the Word of God one time.” No, it’s by hearing—present tense. Sure, God’s Word can transform us in an instant, but most of the time, we need to hear God’s truth over and over again in order for it to become active in our lives. 

The more we hear the Word, the more His truth chisels away at the doubt and unbelief that’s been built up over the years.

Today, just as a seed needs water daily to grow, your spirit also needs the Word of God daily. Your faith needs to be watered by His Word. It can be as simple as selecting a few scriptures to meditate on daily. Write them down and carry them in your purse or wallet. Read them out loud over and over. Let His truth sink down into your heart, and move you forward into the freedom and victory God has prepared for you!

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word that is living and active and growing in my life. Father, I submit myself to You today, and ask You to teach me Your ways. God, give me insight into Your Word so that I may know You, and my faith may grow, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Look Beyond The Law

Have you ever asked these questions? “I’ve been a Christian nearly my whole life, but I’m constantly disappointed in myself. Why is it that I always seem to keep doing the things I wish I didn’t do, and never seem to do the things I know I should do? Isn’t God getting tired of me?”

That’s a common struggle that even the apostle Paul experienced in Romans 7:15. I believe many who ask these questions are caught in the discouragement trap. But here’s some good news: we don’t have to stay in that trap of discouragement. To paraphrase Paul as he writes in Romans 8, the key is to stop focusing on the law and start focusing on Jesus. Hallelujah!

Today, remember, the law, or man, can’t do anything about our sinfulness. The answer is not to try harder to be good at keeping rules – that’s the beginning of the discouragement trap. Focusing on the law alone, will constantly remind us that we’ll never be good enough or deserve God’s grace. Instead, we must focus on the One who shows us mercy, and loves us regardless and cooperate with the Spirit who changes us. Then we will trade discouragement for encouragement and receive the freedom that God brings.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15

Let’s PrayYahweh, I sometimes get caught in the cycle of trying too hard to be good, failing, getting discouraged, and giving up. Father, help me to depend on Your grace and to draw near to You, so that You can change my heart. God, I’m so sorry for putting the law above Your love which has allowed me to live by works and not Your grace. I choose to focus on Christ, and trade my discouragement for encouragement. In His Name I pray! Amen. 

The Dangers Of Sexual Sin

“I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.”  (Ecclesiastes 7:26 NIV) Solomon most likely wrote the above verse from Ecclesiastes in his later years. Who better to write about the enslaving nature of sexual sin than the man who had hundreds of wives and concubines? The scripture tells us that Solomon’s love for foreign women eventually led to his plunge into idolatry. Chasing sex, he allowed these women to lead his heart astray: “his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God” (1 Kings 11:4 NIV).


In the verse above, the woman can be used metaphorically as sexual sin in general. As in the first few chapters of Proverbs, Solomon here also warns people to steer clear of sexual sin. Those who do not will be ensnared by it. Regardless of gender, sexual sin can enslave people when they give it an opportunity to do so. It is the type of slave master who does not release its victims once they are ensnared. It seeks to consume every area of the slave’s life.

Today, remember, God created us to have dominion over the earth and to subdue it. At the fall of Adam and Eve, the devil usurped man’s dominion and was given the power of death. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, he took dominion away from the devil. And now those who believe in Jesus rightfully inherit that dominion over the earth, the forces of evil and sin. Paul explained in Romans that we are not to allow sin to reign in our bodies. We have dominion over sin and have the freedom to use our bodies to please God.


…so use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” Romans 6:13-14 (NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for dying in my place on the cross and rising from the dead. Father, thank You for winning back dominion for us over evil, sin and death. God, help those of us that struggle with sexual sin, we confess all our sins to You and repent asking for Your total forgiveness, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

 

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