We tend to believe our emotions or thoughts–they’re inside us, they must be true. But believing them often means not believing God.
This catches me every so often. I’ll be sure I’m right, and then I realize that this feeling or thought is directly opposed to what God says.
I may put too much stock in my own understanding (He’s working on that!) but when I bring it down to “me or God” I have to admit He’s more likely to be right!
The trick is to catch those pesky thoughts/feelings and retrain them by replacing them with God’s true Word. Different verses help different people in their circumstances, but here are a few of mine:
When I despair of ever changing: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV*
When I’m feeling down: “Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” Isaiah 50:10b, NIV*
When I feel inadequate: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3, NIV*
What are some of the verses that help you?
*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
When I am fearful: “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isa. 41:13)
We should fear only if the Lord were not with us. The important thing is not to worry if our grip on the Lord is firm enough to take us through difficult times –remember, it is His hand that has taken a firm grip on ours.
I love this reminder that God is holding onto us! Our own grip can feel pretty feeble, but His is strong.
I like “Be strong, and work, for my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” Haggai 2.
Interesting that many of our verses seem to center on fear. I think that is probably the worst thing we face. Fear is actually a lack of faith. I want to grow in my ability to trust God. Posts like this one help me do that.
What a reassuring verse! As long as we know God is with us, we can be fine. We just need to know it deep in our spirits.
Fear is lack of faith, and that’s such a surprise the first time we hear it. That doesn’t minimize what it is we fear, but it means we’re not sure that God is bigger than whatever it is. And only He can give us that kind of faith. That’s when I pray “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
I just looked at Greg Laurie’s devo for today and it’s a great fit with this topic. GregLaurie@harvestdirect.org. The post about Jesus calling Peter Littlefaith. Check it out.
Greg’s post is called “Spectacular Failure“. Thanks for pointing out this resource, Ginny. It’s new to me, and I like what I see at the site.
Oops. Greg Laurie’s site is not a website. It’s an e-mail. I highly recommend it for daily consumption.
I found it online at Daily Devotionals with Greg Laurie. Anyone who’s interested, you can read these devotionals online or sign up to get them via email.
My verse is an antidote for anxiety: “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.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB).
I don’t know how often I’ve quoted that verse to myself when something bad has happened or I’m fearful it will.
“Antidote” is the word — that’s what these verses are! Antidotes for the lies we’ve believed or the feelings we’ve allowed to mislead us.
Speaking them out loud seems to give them more punch, too.
This verse is actually a command and a promise. It’s not a “don’t worry” like one person will say to another, but it’s a “don’t allow yourself to worry BUT pray”. Very practical.
Oh Janet. That’s a whole mouth full right here. There are so many scriptures that come to mind but I love this one because it keeps me STANDING. Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. That tells me that no matter what I will face in life….VICTORY is already mine…ALWAYS!
Love and blessings,
Gladwell
That’s another strong verse, Gladwell. There are so many. Stand firm in Him!