Depression and anxiety often had a hold on my thoughts. When I turned to popular Christian advice, I would find the same answer packaged in different variations. The main point centered around “stop thinking about yourself, and remind yourself of God and his goodness”
Reminding ourselves of God’s goodness is good. It is also a way to keep our thoughts at bay. But that advice did not give me the tools to rid myself of the anxious thoughts that kept lurking in the back of my mind.
Reminding myself of God’s goodness did not bring me God’s peace.
Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.”
Reminding myself of God’s goodness gave me knowledge. I needed to put my focus solely on God to experience his peace.
Focus on God is not a self willed thing. Focus on God is the source of my life!
I no longer rely on myself to keep away my anxious thoughts. It is not on me to recite scripture to myself when I am spiraling. God wants me to LIVE in him. Be guided by Him! The rhythm of life flows from the Holy Spirit within us.
I ask for God’s strength to turn my focus towards him. The Holy Spirit then leads me to God’s Word.
What does Jesus say? Have child like faith- Trust in him to lead you. I think this makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Excuses can come such as: “But I need to make decisions now, and God doesn’t just send you an email telling us what to do.”
True.
He does not choose to email directly to us - because he want to live WITHIN us.
My full trust in God lead to my full focus turned towards him. The Holy Spirit gave me peace of mind and direction from within. When you find a rhythm with the Holy Spirit, he will provide everything you need for your day. He gives you his thoughts, his words, his actions, his peace, his joy. Over time your thoughts change, your priorities change, and your heart changes.
When you consistently give your entire life to God, you will start to feel these “Red Flags”. You will feel when your focus is splitting time with God and your own thoughts, desires, etc. That God guided introspection, aka ‘getting the log out of our own eye’, allows us to find what we were coveting outside of God’s will for us.
Then, give it over to God. Name it specifically in an open handed prayer to him, renew your faith and trust in him, ask for his strength and courage to follow him the rest of your day.
Allow God to work within you today. Do not be afraid to look at your thoughts and behavior WITH God leading the way. What he convicts, that is the thing you should give open handedly to him. Remember, he can not take what you hold tightly to, your anxious thoughts will not be taken away by God without you giving them up to him.
I have hope that this may restore your weary souls and your tired minds. Start with a prayer for courage today, that God may soften your heart to his guidance for your life.