These few words has enormous significance for me now, actually for since I can remember. How can we not be anxious? Well, definitely not by our own strength. It seems to me that life is a field of carefully hidden landmines triggering anxiety…
When I think of me being a parent, I remember the first “anxiety” gently weaving its way into my thoughts through the responsibilities in pregnancy. It started there, and I’m not sure if my parenting anxieties ever stopped….
Somehow, by God’s grace, we find ways to have courage, be brave and face the inevitable.
Over the last few months specific mindsets or concepts has started to gravitate towards me: The paradigms of “being” vs “doing” (very personal, but very common in this day and age), faith – hoping in the unseen future, not past; AND giving from a state of REST.
At first glance I’m sure these words or ideas can cause you to spontaneously chuckle, and lead to thoughts ranging between: “There is no such thing”, to “gmf”.
I feel you, I really do. Even as I am writing this blog I am fighting to find the peace deep down inside of me. The peace I know exists, but is almost always just out of my reach. Peace that transcends all understanding. Fighting for peace seems like such an oxymoron, and yet that has been our human story since the beginning.
This brings me to the next concept that was blown into my life, opposite to peace, yet the answer to gaining the peace we desire so desperately. SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
Please don’t stop reading! The end will intrigue you !!
The following verse made a tremendous difference in me during the experience of attending my first Life Coaching Course.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” – Prov 23:7 (NKJV)
What I realized was that I never believed this statement, or verse. I am not sure why, maybe it felt a bit humanistic in away. As if you can’t have faith or trust God if you consider your thoughts too much…or maybe the mind over matter “scenario” always bugged me…?
Anyway, two and a half years later I do believe that these words prove to be true. I believe this with every fibre of my being.
Paul backs this up he says in Rom 12:2(NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Apparently my mind is the main playing field for the enemy. He knows these truths therefore this is the place where he wants to destroy. Here he can have an influence on what I do, day after day after day. Please know that his attack is not spectacular, his main aim for it is to be hidden therefore the peace destined for me, stays out of reach. If there is anything he can steal out of our life of abundance, he will.
So then, what drives the roaring lion out of my mind? TRUTH
The truth can never be a lie. The enemy functions out of deception.
How do we fight with truth? We seek the presence of TRUTH, our Savior Jesus Christ. This action must be intentional. In His presence there is revelation and love. We meditate on the TRUTH (the Word of God), this is also intentional. No one will read the Word for you if you don’t. By reading the Word we deposit truth in our hearts and minds and push away deception. We speak the TRUTH, with our words, and most importantly with our thoughts.
Please know; not everyone knows the bible off by heart. It would be wonderful if we did, but fact is: we don’t. That being said, I do not believe that four words of truth has any less punch in the enemy’s face than a whole chapter. Find your four words. God will show you. And use it, repeat it, fifty times a day if you have to, and see how our King sets you free.
My four words: “Do not be anxious…”- and trust me this will be used just about another gazillion times in the days, months and years to come. We will be fighting till He comes, but in the meanwhile let’s own our abundant lives.
Philippians 4:6
DO NOT BE ANXIOUS about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
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AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, will guard your hearts and your MINDS in Christ Jesus.
For more on the gravitated concepts catch the DO NOT BE ANXIOUS (PART 2) blog
Written by Johanni Meiring
Johanni Meiring 