A New Way of Thinking
Living in a state of confusion? Perplexed? Anxious? There is an antidote that provides relief from the ravages of the enemies of the mind. The what if’s that cause restless nights, the list of to do’s, regrets and angst’s. God, who created heaven and earth, He cares for you. He never created us to carry the burdens of this world.
I Peter 5:7 AMP says this: casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully.
God has given us a prescription here in His word to treat the pain that we suffer from the weight of mental distress. But as you know, and you do if you’ve ever been prescribed a medicine by a doctor, you must take the prescription prescribed if you want to see the desired results. Why we don’t take as prescribed can vary from person to person. Maybe we think we know best? Perhaps we don’t believe in its power? Or, we may secretly fear the change that it could bring.
The scripture from I Peter 5 gives clear instruction on what to do with those unwanted worries, concerns and anxieties. When you’re cleaning out your junk drawer in your home, sifting through it deliberating between what’s worthy to remain in the drawer and what’s trash you can find those decisions tiresome. But we don’t have to cautiously sift through the worries that weigh us down mentally. We are given clear instruction about what to do with them, cast them out, cast them on Jesus!
Philippians 4:6-7 is another excellent prescription for relief, it says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heats and minds through Christ Jesus
This scripture is followed by giving us replacement thoughts. When you have cast your cares, prayed and thanked the Lord then begin to become conscious of your thoughts. What are you thinking on? What thoughts have taken up the space formerly occupied by worry, concern and anxiety? Verse 8 gives us specific instruction on our thought life, it says to think on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy ----meditate on these. It may take some time to discipline your mind to think on these things, but the Holy Spirit is there to help you. Give yourself to His Word today. Let the truth of His word penetrate every corner of your mind. His prescription is powerful and works every time. Trust him with every concern, He cares for you!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you care for me, that you love me unconditionally. I give you all that concerns me today, every anxiety and worry. Forgive me for trying to handle them myself. I trust you with them. Let your peace rule in my heart as I ingest your Word and meditate on it. In Jesus Name, Amen.