Students on college campuses across the country were so filled with fear and anxiety following the presidential election that exams were postponed, cocoa was served, crayons and Play-Doh were given out, and counselors were made available.
Fear spills out of every news channel as well as our Facebook news feeds.
So many people are worried about their future, their children’s future, the future of our country and the world.
Yet, Jesus said in the midst of very tumultuous and troubling times… not unlike ours…
“Don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
When relationships, jobs, things close to home, and the world as a whole seem to be spiraling out of control… remember…
there is nothing to fear… because God is with you.
But. But. But.
I know…
Do not allow your mind to go off on all kinds of tangents.
Instead… focus on TRUTH. God’s word.
Do not be afraid—I am with you!
I am your God—let nothing terrify you!
I will make you strong and help you;
I will protect you and save you.
God is our strength. God is our help. God is our protector.
The battleground of fear is not our relationships or the media or whatever happens in the world.
The battleground of fear is in our heads.
Fear is a head game. The enemy knows it and knows that as long as either of us maintains our focus on fear and what we fear we’re withering imbeciles.
Strong language, I know.
Consider how fear reduces our ability to think straight.
Consider how useless we become when we are overcome with fear.
When we are fearful we have a choice to make.
- We can give in to our fears and allow them to overtake us… set up camp… and render us totally useless. OR…
- We can choose to trust God. It may take every fiber of our being to do that… but we win (and fear fails) when we do.
This verse is short and sweet. And if you struggle with fear it’s a great one to memorize and write on a small business sized card to keep in your wallet, at your desk, or in your coat pocket.
When I am afraid,
I will trust you.
Fear is an awful thing. I have areas in my life where I especially struggle with fear. Especially fear of the unknown and winter driving.
Where does fear repeatedly strike you?
A special friend was recently given this index card prayer that her mom had written for an elderly friend. It doesn’t speak directly to fear, but it does speak to having complete trust in God. This elderly friend knew that my friend was struggling and so she sent wrote another copy of the prayer for herself and sent the original, well-worn index card, penned in her mother’s hand to her as an encouragement. I’m blessed that she shared her mother’s index card prayer with me.
I Believe that with You, Jesus living in me today by the Holy Spirit, my life can be calm, restful, happy and peaceful… I believe that You will order the affairs of this day if I hand control over to you. I do that now and refuse to take anything back into my hands… I commit myself and my day to You. In faith, I go into this day with quiet (godly) confidence as my strength…. In Jesus Name, Amen.
I encourage you to write this prayer down on an index card, too. Place it in a somewhere you can refer to it often, if not daily, like in your car. You might pull it out just after you pull into your parking spot at work and prayerfully read it out loud before stepping out of the car and into your workday.
It’s a centering prayer. One that helps us center our hearts and minds on the Lord. It reminds us Who is the source of our ultimate trust. When God is our center, fears will still come our way, but they don’t have to take camp in our minds and souls.
And then when fear sweeps in… remember to let fear hear you say this to your loving, strong, protecting God…
When I am afraid,
I will trust you.
It’s JoyDay!
And time to get our joy meters soaring!
Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful. This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.
I’ll start…
Thank you, God…
- for being our strength, help, and protector so that we can say, “NO!” to fear.
- for this incredibly beautiful and mild November.
- for my loving, caring husband who puts my needs before his.
- for that surprise cup of hot chocolate. I love the way you work.
- for how quickly you healed the burn on my thumb. It really was a miracle.
- that You are faithful, loving, kind, and always with me.
- that You are our redeemer, restorer, and rebuilder. Trusting you for good things ahead.
Now…it’s YOUR turn!
List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below. You’ll be glad you did.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.
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I looked for Joy Day but I did not find it. I feel better after reading this. No. I’m not afraid. Just filled with a deep sorrow. A heavy burden AM I. I forget. I need extra work. I’m constantly being scolded and feel in trouble everywhere. With Mom gone I don’t feel I have one place to not weigh my words.
So as sun goes down so early I weep and try to in secret.
To feel a burden to everyone is –just a horrible thing.
To forget conversations.
To be spoken to in a harsh manner by nearly everyone I know I must be living life wrong. I was not in trouble in life. So where do I for joy
1, I have for now a place to live. I do not know who will care for me when Curt has surgery. He’ll be hospitalized at least four days.
2. I’m glad I don’t get hungry during the day for that saves on the food bill. Yet I’ve gained 50 lbs in 8 years since this injury.
3. I got to see my grandson for a quick bit. He was fun
4. Many birds and hummingbirds linger in my orange vine
5. I have no pressing demand
6. I like my furniture
7. I’m hungry but tonight Curt agreed to cook. Grateful I am.
Dear, dear Gwen… praying for you and wondering when Curt has his surgery.
I’m sorry for the hurt and loneliness you’re experiencing with your mom gone now. Praying for God to bring someone into your life who understands and listens and cares.
May God overwhelm you with His love and grace this week. {{hugs}}