The thoughts sneak into my mind like an unwelcome guest. They try to race to my heart and take up residence before I realize what has happened. Doubts and concerns start to make my body react in nervous ways. The only way I can calm my now rapidly beating heart is to take a deep breath and remember.
“Breathe and focus on remembering,” I tell myself.
Remember when Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt? Remember how even though he was trapped and couldn’t leave, he continued to work as if working for the Lord? Remember how God blessed him?
Remember when David literally ran for his life only to see time and time again how God cared for him?
Remember how God has taken care of you over and over again?
Anxiety melts away. Only faith remains.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Where we will work, where we will live, what will happen in six months is all a big question mark in our lives right now. (I’m specifically talking about my family, but maybe you are in a similar boat.) Dwelling on God’s faithfulness and promises instead of worrying about what may or may not happen, has made all the difference. It is literally an anxiety killer for me. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but God does! So I dwell on his promises…
He stays close to the brokenhearted.
His love never fails.
He is a good provider.
He knows exactly what we need.
He see us.
He is our savior.
Over the past year, when it seems we’ve had more questions than answers, God has consistently shown his faithfulness. He calls us to remember how well he takes care of those he has created. Remembering how the Lord has taken care of others and especially how he has taken care of us in the past, steadies our hearts and gives us the confidence to once again joyfully share that God is good, that He has taken care of us and will continue to do so. And it’s for this reason he calls us all to remember.
Time after time, he says “Remember!”
Remember when I led the Isrealites out of Egypt?
Remember when I told Abraham to follow me and I would make him the father of many nations?
Remember when Jesus took the bread and the cup and said, “Do this in remembrance of me?”
Our call to remember, helps us to never forget. When we choose to remember, we remind our hearts who is really in control. We choose to remember that someone greater than our circumstances is in control. If we remember to put our trust in our Lord and Savior, then we will…
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10
And then, we will willingly stand firm and
take up the shield of faith, with which [we] can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 616
Oh, how the devil enjoys it when we let our guard fall and start to doubt and worry. This is not our calling. Our calling is to trust even when we don’t see or understand.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
Hebrews 11:1
Yes, life is difficult. It does not become “easier” because we are Christians. But in remembering who our God is and sharing how God has taken care of us in the past, we will remind our hearts that He will take care of us in this present time as well as in the future. Let’s allow our hearts to be filled with joy in knowing that the Lord has us in His hands instead of letting our anxiety wring all the joy out.
Prayer
Lord, you are good and holy and faithful to all you have created. We lift each person up today and pray over their hearts as they face uncertain circumstances. We pray we will cling to you with all our might.
Lord, help us not to doubt your goodness, but when we are struggling to understand what way you want us to go or what your plan is, help us to be comforted in the fact that you are God and we are not. Help us to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance and keep us from falling into the trap of anxiety.
Thank you for being patient with us as we walk these difficult times. Help us to remember all you have done and your glorious ways of providing for us in the midst of our need. In the One who came at just the right time to save us from
ourselves – Amen!
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
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Thank you. I really needed this reminder today.
There is so much that can keep up in a state of constant frenzy. I hate that state…I can’t think in that state. Remembering who God is helps to keep me from tail spinning into that frenzy. Thankful it encouraged you today, Toni!
Lord, you know exactly what is going on with Toni and all those around her. We thank you for loving them and keeping them close. Help them focus on you as you lead them through difficult times. Amen!
Thank you for posting this is so hard to do.
It is very difficult to do. It took me a long time to realize how to guard my thoughts. I’m sure there are many ways to do it, but this has helped me the most. Blessing to you, Kathy!
Lord, we thank you for Kathy. We pray for her and lift up whatever is going on in her life to you. May she feel your strength as she leans into you. Amen!
Thank you for that encouraging prayer! I definitely needed to read that today.
I love that we should worry about nothing because God will take care of it! I had to remind myself of that lately, or God reminded me of that, and He has brought it to my mind many times, so it’s pretty cool that I came across your post about this!
We often forget sooo many of God’s blessings, especially when we are going through the valley ourselves. t
Such needed encouragement Kristi! Thank you so much for pointing us back to God’s Word.
Thanks, Tauna!
Faith and trust in Jesus has almost eradicated my anxiety. I have my moments but that’s when I lay my burdens to Him. I have been redeemed. I always tell my husband now I don’t worry about anything because I pray about everything. I am a living testimony of the strength Christ has in curing anxiety. I pray others find that strength too!
Thank you for sharing this prayer and for the reminder to choose to remember.