You're bigger and better than your fears

Without the distraction of daily activities, I had time to think.  Confined to a hospital room, weakened by sickness, I felt anxiety rising and knew it was time to speak to myself.  Before you conclude I am in need of psychological assessment, let me assure that I know from past experience when my emotions are running high, it is time to ‘take charge.’   Remember Jesus' disciples who were in a boat with Him as a storm rose on the Sea of Galilee?  They gave in to fear and soon were accusing Him of not caring for them! Graciously, He stood and quieted the storm and then He "reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?" (Mark 4:40, The Message)  In other words He is asking them when they gave into fear so quickly? Why didn’t you stiffen your spines and deal with the storm?

Fear can become a panic, running wildly through our thoughts, if we do not speak faith to it. Anger can turn into a roaring blaze of rage if we do not restrain it. Desire will turn rapidly to all-consuming lust, greed, or gluttony if we do not invite the Spirit to rule in us. So, David teaches us by example when he talks to himself! He says, "Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me." (Psalm 103:2, NLT)

Do you believe that myth of our time that insists that every thought must be spoken, every feeling explored, every desire fulfilled?  Self-discipline, that wonderfully valuable tool for successful living, means that I can curb my tongue, redirect my emotions, and restrain my desire! I may cry but I will not die.

Ever see a fully grown adult throwing a tantrum? Not pretty, is it?  Then, too, some make poor choices to satisfy some urge today and in the process sabotage tomorrow, immaturely blaming the mess they create on someone else. We try to excuse ourselves by saying, “I just could not help it,” but in this we lie.  People enslaved by ‘living in the moment’ are often unaware of the deepening chaos they are creating.  So we must learn to speak to our own soul with the voice of reason and in the power of God's Spirit.

Spirit-filled Christians who speak Truth to their inner storms gain greater freedom with each victory. They grow in godliness. The Spirit produces a wholeness of life that makes them the overcomers God desires them to be. They do not gain this victory by ignoring the inner tumult, or by denying negative emotions, or by repressing unpleasant feelings. They know what they feel, but they also know that God gives a gift of a will, empowered by His Spirit! We can fully acknowledge our emotions without letting them take control.

Jeremiah, called 'the weeping prophet,' faced calamity and felt the crushing weight of sorrow. His example is powerful.  Here is how he spoke to himself -  "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD." I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:18-23, NIV)

Meditate on this powerful word from the Word.  

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 
(2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

The Message sets that into a larger context. Read and rejoice!

"The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. 
But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. 
The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity." 
(2 Corinthians 10:3-6, The Message)

Let My Words Be Few

 You are God in heaven

And here am I on earth,

So I'll let my words be few.

Jesus, I am so in love with You.

And I'll stand in awe of You.

Yes, I'll stand in awe of You;

And I'll let my words be few.

Jesus. I am so in love with You.

Beth Redman | Matt Redman

© 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055