A Sound Mind

.

A Sound Mind

We are real people  with real troubles  that want to eat away  at our faith.     We easily get caught up  into imaginations  about how these troubles will be even worse tomorrow  and our despair drags us down.     As we pray about our issues,  all of our thoughts only center on  “the”  problems.     They don’t ever seem  to want to go away.     But,  maybe our prayers need  to be modified a bit.    As 2 Timothy 1:7 says,

For God has not given us  a spirit of fear,  but of power  and of love  and of a sound mind.

Maybe we should be praying  for the strength and wherewithal  to honestly hand the whole problem  over to our Lord Jesus.     We could also pray  that in this process  we would learn  to trust God fully — and to know  that His answer is truly  what will be best for us  in the long run.

In Isaiah 41:9b-10,  God reassures us,

I have chosen you  and not rejected you.   
Do not fear,  for I am with you;    
Do not anxiously look about you,  for I am your God.   
I will strengthen you,  surely I will help you,    
Surely I will uphold you  with My righteous right hand.

God Almighty tells us this,  but it’s easier said  than done.     How can we ever get the faith  to know for sure  God is working mightily  on our behalf?     How can we stop being so afraid  when our hearts  are so sad?     We need more faith.     Hebrews 11:1 defines faith:

Now faith is the assurance  of things hoped for,  the conviction  of things not seen.

We really want this sort of assurance and conviction  regarding the things of God,  but how can we get it?     There is a sure way  that Paul tells us  in Romans 10:17,

Faith comes  from hearing,  and hearing  by the word  of Christ.

We need  to open up our Bibles  and seriously start listening  to what God tells us there.     We need  to learn about God’s trustworthiness  and absolute holiness.     He cannot lie.     He has been faithful  in keeping all  of His promises.     But,  how can we realize that  unless we seek out these truths?     The more we learn  about the truths  of God,  the more we will be enabled  to see and understand  how He is working  in our lives — to bring us  to eternal salvation.

Instead of being fearful  about what will happen to us,  let us go to our Lord and Savior,  prayerfully studying His words  to us.     Then we can find hope  in Philippians 4:6-7,

Be anxious for nothing,  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 comprehension,  shall guard your hearts and your minds  in Christ Jesus.

In peace  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  You have proven Your almighty power and love  in all of creation and history.     Let us keep on seeing that,  so that we may have ‘a sound mind.’”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

.

.

.

.