Worry. Someone once told me it was “negative prayer.” I call it exhausting. At 3:00 a.m. it’s as if the switch in my brain has been flicked on and my mind starts to race. It may be words I’ve spoken, words spoken to me, the gas bill that is due, my child’s struggle, or a myriad of other things that have happened, could happen, or will never happen!
As the thoughts in my mind rob me of much needed sleep, I hear his whisper. Take your thoughts captive. I’ve got you. I’ve got this. Trust me.
I remember Paul’s words in II Corinthians 10:5: “For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”
Worry. Maybe it IS negative prayer, focusing on all of the what if’s, should have’s, would have’s, and could have’s. Spending time frolicking in the sorrows and regrets. Sometimes we just need to grab a hold of our thoughts and say, “No more!!” God is good. He has always been good. And he will be good! He already carried those worries on his shoulders when he stretched out his arms on the cross. Those cares and concerns lost their power to consume me when Christ rose from the dead. Our weapon for this battle is his very spirit abiding within me.
God’s words are true in Philippians 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice…have no anxiety 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 passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The next time worry attempts to consume my thoughts, I will remember these words from Paul and Timothy. I will silence the rantings of my mind with praise. I will stretch my faith and take God at his word. I will thank him for he is good and his mercies are everlasting.
And I will breath. Deeply. Drinking in his presence and believing that he is always with me and for me. He’s got me. He’s got this. I will allow his peace to take hold in my heart.
Dear Lord, write your word upon our hearts so when the enemy sets us up for the attack, you can destroy the strongholds. Help us to turn worry into prayers of thanksgiving and worship as we count our blessings instead of allowing worry to rob us of your goodness. And let your perfect peace settle our anxious thoughts. Thank you, Lord, for you ARE good and your mercies ARE everlasting! Amen.
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