Sunday, August 21, 2011

Day 6 - Week 26 - Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You."

Some days it seems easier to have a mindset of peace than others.  Our world is not a peaceful place --- there are numerous areas of unrest worldwide.  Tonight I am thinking about the rockets that have been continually blasting Israel from the Gaza strip this week.  Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have spent their nights in bomb shelters as they hear the rockets fly overhead.  How do you keep your mind in peace during something like that?

Robert J. Morgan writes:
When we fix our thoughts on Jehovah, all other concerns shrink to the proper perspective.  Colossians 3:2 says, 'Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.' 
We must manhandle anxious thoughts, turning them forcibly toward Christ and making our minds 'stay' on Him.
In doing so, we trust Him more and more.  Faith is the Bible's great antidote to fear, and faith grows stronger as we focus it on Christ instead of on crises.  We acknowledge the difficulty but keep our focus on the Deliverer.
I have never had to live in a lifestyle of fear and terror.  But I think of the many people throughout history who have endured persecution and torture.  I pray that I am building a faith that could endure such difficulty, whether or not I am called to go through it.  I pray that I am increasingly trusting God and learning to depend on Him more and more --- learning to become less and less dependent on what the world offers to me  --- learning to more and more have a mindset of God's perfect peace.  For I know that my Redeemer lives and that He will deliver me from any trial or tribulation that may come to me in this lifetime.  Blessed assurance!

1 comment:

donna said...

It is odd for me - I am learning to trust God more and more and I can feel some peace among the turmoil that is between my two children. I don't like it, but somehow I feel peaceful. I pray that they will be able to mend their relationship. I feel peaceful, even though my health is not what I would prefer. I can't do certain things but when I look back at my like I have had so many times of limited abilities. God has given me peace. With Christ's Love and Assurance, peace occurs in our hearts. Sometimes peace come in the form of acceptance. I can't change someone's heart, but God can. I can't even change my own heart,
but God can. Enduring the fear of terrorism and persecution and torture would be
difficult. The sounds of war, rockets blaring would be a true test of Faith. I am
thankful that I live in America, even with the corrupt problems that exit. I am able
to live and worship freely. I am blessed to live in little 'ole Amarillo, Texas and
God loves me.