Overthinking

 “When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy.”

Psalm 94:19

Mentally, overthinking can lead to anxiety. When individuals continually worry about potential future events or dwell on past mistakes, they can develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD involves persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, and relationships. For instance, someone might overthink an upcoming job presentation, imagining all the ways it could go wrong, which can lead to significant anxiety and avoidance behaviors.

Depression can be linked to overthinking. Ruminating on negative experiences or self-criticism, people can fall into a depressive state. Rumination involves repetitively thinking about the causes, consequences, and symptoms of one’s distress, rather than focusing on solutions. This pattern of thinking can intensify feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, core symptoms of depression. For example, someone who constantly replays a breakup in their mind might begin to feel unworthy of love, leading to deep sadness and withdrawal from social activities.

Psalm 94:19 offers comfort to those who struggle with overthinking and anxiety: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Thankfully, the verse acknowledges the reality of anxiety but also points to the joy and consolation found in God. It reassures believers that they are not alone in their struggles and that God provides solace amidst their worries.

~Bible Tools.com

Nature

 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” - Psalm 96:12

Being out in nature helps me understand the qualities of God in a different way. I see His power, creativity, and the intricacies of the world He created. I slow down and breathe in his glorious creation. I feast my eyes on all the colors in His palette and marvel at His work. I listen to the sounds that surround me: wind, birds, animals, rushing waters, etc. I touch plants, rocks, dirt. It is where I am freely able to marvel at God’s handiwork. By entering nature and taking myself out of my “norm” I can focus my whole being on His creation.

God made the earth for us to enjoy. Nature is a source of beauty, inspiration, rest, and healing. It is a place where we don’t have to look at it from a distance. We can get up close and be a part of it. We can enjoy the diversity of God’s craftsmanship in a powerful way. There is rejuvenating power in God’s playground – the natural world.... time spent in nature is transformative.

- By Susan Little

Contentment

 “For I have I have learned to be content

whatever circumstances.”

Philippians 4:11

According to the Bible, contentment is a state of being satisfied, at peace, and emotionally fulfilled with what one has or the circumstances in which one finds themselves. It is an attitude of the heart and mind that is not dependent on external possessions, wealth, or circumstances. Bible verses about contentment teaches us that it comes from recognizing and being satisfied with God's provision in one's life, whether that provision is material, relational, or spiritual. It involves trusting that God knows what is best and provides for our needs.

Scripture helps us understand that true contentment includes the ability to accept and find peace in one's current circumstances, even if they are challenging. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11-12, speaks of learning to be content in any situation. Contentment is linked to trusting in God's sovereignty and His plan for one's life. It acknowledges that God is in control and has a purpose for everything, even in difficult times. As we trust God, give thanks in all circumstances, and find freedom from worry and anxiety, we will experience God's presence and peace! 

~ Bible Study Tools.com

Good Listening

 “Everyone should be quick to listen,

slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

James 1:19

“Listen before you answer.”

Proverbs 18:13

According to Bonhoeffer, there are many times when “listening can be a greater service than speaking.” God wants more of the Christian than just our good listening, but not less. There will be days when the most important ministry we do is square our shoulders to some hurting person, uncross our arms, lean forward, make eye contact, and hear their pain all the way to the bottom. Says Dunn,

good listening often defuses the emotions that are a part of the problem being discussed. Sometimes releasing these emotions is all that is needed to solve the problem. The speaker may neither want nor expect us to say anything in response.

One of Dunn’s counsels for cultivating good listening is: “put more emphasis on affirmation than on answers. . . . [M]any times God simply wants to use me as a channel of his affirming love as I listen with compassion and understanding.” Echoes Bonhoeffer, “Often a person can be helped merely by having someone who will listen to him seriously.” At times what our neighbor needs most is for someone else to know.

~ desiringgod.com

Seeking God

 “Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.”

1 Chronicles 16:11

“No matter how many times you cry out to God for strength He will be there. He hears you every single time. Don’t give up, don’t stop seeking the Lord. Don’t let anything keep you from seeking His face. God will give you the strength you need to get through anything. No matter what you face He is by your side and He will never leave you. If your soul is weary, if you’re going through troubled waters, if you’re facing temptations, whatever trials you are going through pour your heart out to God because He promises not only to give you strength but to be your strength.”

~ the consecratedwoman.com

“Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7

          

The Peace of Christ

 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body

you were called to peace.  And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

“Paul tells us to let Christ’s peace be umpire or referee be in our hearts.  Our hearts are the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires clash - our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love.  How can we deal with constant conflicts and live as God wants?  Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace in our souls.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Our Need For The Holy Spirit

 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the

Father will send in my name, will teach 

you all things and remind you of everything

I have said to you.”

John 14:26

Almost twenty years ago, I knelt down next to my bed and prayed for more of the Holy Spirit.

I prayed for my ears to hear Him as my friend heard Him. If the Lord had more of Himself to give me, more gifts of the Holy Spirit, despite my fears, I wanted more. I knew people who walked with confidence and power in their faith. I wanted that, and from what I could tell, their confidence came from intimacy with the Spirit of God.

On that day, as I prayed fervently, I felt my ears begin to burn. I’m not sure it was answer to prayer or the intensity in which I prayed. But I knew this, as soon as I said, “Amen!” and got up from my knees, I noticed a direction from a voice within.

“Go get the clothes out of the dryer.”

I was a little disappointed. Was that my thought or God’s?

He Can Organize Your Day

It wasn’t anything grand, but I took that thought as His order, and that’s how I began my walk with the Holy Spirit. I began living a conversation with God, and no matter how trivial the instruction, I followed through (most of the time). I knew He was in the small details of my life as well as the big if I paid attention.

When I began to do this I discovered my day was better organized as I listened for cues and nudges from the divine. (Smile.) Practicing His Presence helped me hear His voice better. Now, I walk with confidence of His leading. But it took daily practice and trust. It took Faith.

We need the Holy Spirit.

The other day, I was reading through my One Year Bible, which is a great way to read the Bible through the year because you read a section of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.  Anyway, on that day I was finishing 2 Corinthians. I loved Paul’s closing. I know I’ve read it before, but this time it really jumped out to me. Not very many scriptures involve all three persons of God.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spiritbe with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14.)

Isn’t it beautiful?

How differently would we walk this journey if we did so fully aware of the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit?

~ wordsbyandylee.com