I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Fighting Fear and Trusting God
The list of things to think, worry, and debate about can feel endless: wars, viruses, finances, relationships, politics, religion, job security, natural disasters, the safety and wellbeing of our loved ones … the list could go on forever.
But Jesus told His disciples, who also had plenty to fear (death being at the top of the list)…
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
John 14:1 NLT
It’s a bold statement, but is it even possible to not be shaken by life’s circumstances? Jesus seemed to think so, because He said those words not long before He was nailed to a cross.
Jesus knew…
He's the source of true peace.
He's the source of real joy.
He's the source of freedom from worry.
Trusting in God doesn’t ensure an easy life, but it means we know He’s walking through life with us.
So how do we avoid getting stuck in a cycle of fear? How—practically—do we keep from getting overwhelmed with anxiety?
- We can take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.
- We can prioritize His wisdom by reading, studying, and praying Scripture.
- We can take our honest thoughts and questions to a trusted friend.
- We can listen to music that leads us into worship as we go about our days.
Without doubt, there will be troubling situations that come up. But because we know and trust who’s in charge, we don’t have to be troubled by those events.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
So what is elevating fear in your life, and how will you replace it with practices that draw you closer to God’s presence? Spend some time today determining what steps you can take to place your trust in God more consistently.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, ...
Fulfillment of God’s Promises
Hundreds of years before Jesus, the people of God were in trouble.
They were stuck in life, unable to help themselves, and perhaps beginning to doubt that God would save them. Have you ever felt the same way? If so, you might relate to the original audience of this verse—the exiles in Babylon.
The Babylonians conquered God's people and land, sending them hundreds of miles away. Maybe they thought that God had abandoned them, or that He couldn’t hear their cries. But God is always close—especially when His people call on His name.
Isaiah let his people know that God would provide a way out of Babylonian captivity. And God kept His promise, allowing His people to return home.
Generations later, many of God’s people saw themselves as being in a new exile. They were home, but all was not well. So they remembered this verse and its promise—that no matter how dark or desperate our situation might be, God is able to provide a path out of brokenness, ...
