Seriously On My Heart

2-31pm

Today, I sat and pondered. I had something seriously on my heart. It’s a message mainly for those who are struggling with issues (and I pretty much guess that that’s everyone). Maybe you’re not struggling right now with any issues.  That’s great! Come back here when they next come your way! There are always going to be issues. I got a black khoki pen & just wrote down a whole stack of words that add up to what we see in life, some of us experience in life, what the TV spews out at us in life, what we see others experiencing in life. It was just a hotch-potch of emotions that crowd our minds & impact our lives

Most of them are negative. Some of them were duplicated because they came to my mind more than once. Most of them I’ve seen in others. Some of them I’ve experienced myself. It’s amazing as I, without too much thought, scribbled down different words that popped into my mind, how true they are to life. Amidst the incredible amount of negativity, there a small bubbles of good. There are days of happiness, events that bring pleasure; there’s success and health and joy. But crowding out these good things are a whole artillery of bad things, that negate the positive. We so often focus on all the bad. We see and dwell and talk about all the violence and crime and fear of the future. We fill our minds with all the bad stuff that’s happening to us – we have large, unhappy pity parties that put our woes under a magnifying glass, enlarging them to mountain size catastrophes and exposing them as unreasonably large problems. When we do that, it’s difficult to see things in perspective. The size of the problem obliterates any chance of seeing the bigger picture, let alone seeing God’s hand or ability to resolve it.

Our minds succeed in dragging us into a giant sized black hole, sucked under by the power of darkness.

And so I sat and took another sheet of paper and I wrote down what God really wants for us.

Within the confusion, disorder and ugliness that we often witness within this life, God has a better plan. He wants us to look to Him and see the security and stability that He brings.  In perfect order, He can offer us peace within difficult circumstances. He says to you today:

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your Name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 23:4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff,  they comfort me.

Psalm 55:22  Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Over and over again, in His Word, God pours out His love and assurance for us. He urges us to take note that He is there and He has the whole world in His hands. There are going to be things we don’t understand. But this is not the end. There is more. Our life on earth is brief. Eternity is forever. And that’s the truth. We need not fear. We can enjoy God’s peace. It takes a change of focus. Rest in Him today – dwell on the Bible verses above and let Him change your mind.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude Pic: God brings peace