“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
I pressed my hand on my belly, nothing. I tried moving around, drinking something cold, nothing. My unborn child had either been quiet for quite a while or something was wrong. I had two choices ? panic or faith.
Perhaps you have the same choice right now in dealing with a situation in your life. I discovered in the fourth chapter of the letter to the Philippian church, (verses 4-9), a formula that can help us beat anxiety if we accept its words by faith and put them into practice.
Paul invites us to rejoice in God, not to be anxious, and to bring all matters to the Lord in prayer. Next he tells us to make it a habit of choosing where we place our thoughts, and on what we feed them. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy — that is to be our focus.
When my baby went quiet, I decided to believe that my baby would “not die but live, and would proclaim what the Lord has done” (Psalm 118:17). Then I went to the doctor’s office and was happy to hear her beautiful heartbeat coming through the machine. I am aware that the outcome could have been different, but I decided from then on to deal with things as they came from the point of view of faith, not panic. One step at a time is more than enough for me to handle.
For you, it may be choosing to remember the good in someone who’s hurt you, and choosing to make peace with them. Maybe it is deciding to trust that God is holding the airplane you are about to board in His care and has commanded His angels to watch over you. Or perhaps it is accepting that He loves you beyond what you could ever imagine. So, if you’ve messed up, you can choose to believe it’s not over and turn to Him again, knowing He is not finished with you yet.
Father, I come to you because I need your help. I want my thoughts to be aligned with yours. I want my mind to be transformed. Teach me to choose faith over panic. Remind me of your truth when darkness fills my thinking. Remind me of your love when I cease to believe it. Hold me close to you. I love you, Lord. Amen.
By Caroline Bellemare
Used by Permission
Do you know Jesus in a personal way? Would you like to invite him into your heart where you can place your faith in him in times of calm and in times of panic? You can start a life surrendered to Christ today. This is a sample, simple prayer, but the words are powerful and full of meaning. If you truly believe them Christ will enter your life and start you on a wonderful journey. (not always easy, but never alone)
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
It starts now! He has entered your heart. Let us know on the response form and we can send you some links and even connect you with an online mentor if that is something you’d like.
Further Reading
• Religion Causes Conflict and Strife– No Thanks!
• A Moving Mountain – Have you ever heard of a mountain moving a person?
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