When you read the title of today’s devotional, did you start to hum that popular song? Or did you read it and think, “Yes, but how?”
Worry seems to be a right of passage for people of all ages today. When anxious thoughts threaten to overwhelm me, I am reminded that God promises me that His peace will guard my heart and mind. How is that possible? I have learned to follow the steps in these verses:
- When worry threatens, stop – don’t allow your mind to dwell on those thoughts or spend time thinking about what might or might not happen. It is said that 80% of the things we worry about never come to pass.
- Pray instead – let God know what it is that is troubling your heart and threatening to steal your peace. Be honest. Tell God what you need.
- Don’t forget to thank God for what He has already done and what He will do. If you struggle with this, write down and read scripture verses about His care for you and His promise of provision. See Matthew 6:25-34 and the Philippians passage above.
- Allow His peace to guard your heart and mind ― take some time to be still so you can meditate on God’s attributes, reminding yourself that God is good all the time and that He never changes and that He cannot be unfaithful.
- Going forward, fix your thoughts on the positive ― what is true (not what you are worried might happen). Another translation of the Philippians passage says, “on what is praiseworthy (remember who God is and what He has already done for you).” Taking every thought captive is the key to not worrying so we can experience God’s perfect peace in our lives.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you promise that I can experience your perfect peace in my life today. Help me not to worry and be anxious, but instead to stop and pray, with thanksgiving, and to allow you instead to fill my mind with thoughts of you. Remind me often of this and help me to take my thoughts captive. Amen
Go Deeper ― What is stealing your peace today? What anxious thoughts are filling your mind with worry and robbing you of God’s peace? Practice these five steps instead and ask God to fill your heart and mind with peace. Want to learn more? Read Declaring Victory over Anxiety.