A Sound Mind and Heart

Do you worry?  Are you ever anxious?

I have found when waiting on the Lord I can be quite and anxious person. Not only that but as I wait on the Lord others become impatient with me. 

In both scenarios, I see the level of my trust in the Lord has had to deepen like roots of a tree looking for nourishment, refuge, and strength.   I can't be pushed around by circumstances or opinions of people I have to put all those things WAY under God on the meter of my heart and mind.

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7

Don't you ever wish you could compare notes with God?  I have found we don't have to look far if we are seeking God for guidance and direction.   God often orchestrates events, devotionals, bible studies, Sunday Sermons, the Bible Word of the Day and so on to show He's not only watching us but He cares so deeply for us.  God wants to help us now but also prepare us for what may come in the future.   He is allowing us to see what we need to work on before He proceeds to the next step in our life… whatever that may be.  He isn’t giving us too much to work on but just enough.   

I was a kid diagnosed with ADD growing up.   It was very hard for me to focus.  It seemed like everything pulled on my attention.   Test taking times were horrible.   The sound of the clock, people getting up to sharpen their pencils, the thought of a time restraint seemed to put more pressure on my mind where everything I had studied for hours had suddenly vanished, and when people started to turn in their tests- forget it.   I might as well been on a river heading for a waterfall of not finishing my test in time.  By the time I was in college, they started to let me take my test in another room with no distractions.  I don't even think their was a clock in the room just a window with a pleasant view of the campus.  This settled my nerves and quieted down my mind so I could actually draw out the information I had studied - probably studied more then the average student.     

God knows this about us.  Sometimes He even places in another spot so we are not distracted by others or what might be bothersome situations so we can not just learn His word but mature and walk out in his love.   He’s having me "learn" to take one day at a time not just physically but mentally – sometimes one minute by minute. :)

I have also found just working on myself can make a big impact than if I try to deal with everyone else’s opinions negative or positive.   I don't pay attention to the log or speck in someones eye just myself.  I can't fix people to see me any differently - God is the only one who can do that.    I try to be slow to speak and keep my mouth shut when I want to try to justify myself.  God is showing me how to live more in that real genuine trust in Him.

“Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” Proverbs 4:23

God has me working on staying away from the affairs and empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from people and this world (2 Tim 2:4, Col 2:8), and even my own understanding and the ways I see things so I don’t get caught up thinking God has me doing “this” or “that” because of something I presume which can lead to other internal problems and carry onto other issues within my inner circle.  And sometimes that isn't even a guarantee that there won't be any issues because we aren't the only person in this experience called life.  I strive to continue to trust God and follow his instruction and direction. (Proverbs 3:5-6)   I find I must redirect my thoughts and heart to the Lord continually - sometimes I wish I had a sign around neck so every time I looked down I would see "Put no major emphasis on anything but your God."  

God is truly our burden bearer if we trust him.  I, a sensitive person, have to continually go to the
Lord when I feel as if something else negative is at work or life starts to get heavy.   This sometimes takes time to adjust but once God has helped me switch gears I can drive right through those situations in more a positive manner but again that takes effort and sometimes I must request further prayer - prayer that is simple and unbiased and trustworthy.  I must continually give my burdens to the Lord before they feel like they are about to suffocate me.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah” Psalm 68:19

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28

“It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32

Sometimes perfect doesn't always seem perfect in the midst of difficult circumstances but as God gives you the strength to endure you find you won't do anything you might regret later on.

I remember when I was a kid playing in the woods, backyard or park and I would be some Superhero or Jedi Knight and when one of the other kids came to attack me with their powers or weapon I would yell, "FORCE FIELD!" And they would usually protest and yell, "No far!"- (but sometimes I let them injury me and those on my team would cart me off to our base and fix me up real fast so I could continue in the battle.)

God is the shield - He is our "FORCE FIELD!" to our heart and mind and soul. That is hard when the things of life are close to home but we must humbly submit to God and we will find He our shield.

“He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him,” Proverbs 30:5

Making Jesus Christ my primary concern in all things in life helps my focus.  Again this means, I HAVE to and it is DIRER to place Jesus above all other concerns, presumptions, premonitions, and circumstances in life.  He’s the one I need to trust.   The concerns of life can rob our heart of the goodness God gives us and we only receive that goodness when we trust Him.

Either way if we do or don’t trust God has big implications.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.  Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead fear the LORD and turn your back on evil.  Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.”  Proverbs 3:5-8