In The Race - Encouragement Café - October 13, 2015

In The Race

Café Menu for Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Today’s Special is:  A Gold Medal Event

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Joan Walker Hahn

Main Ingredient:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Entrée:

We are bombarded every day with a multitude of things we have to think about.  We have to tend to our home, our family, our work, and so much more.  I think if my body could run as fast as my mind races, I could be an Olympic champion!

It’s often hard to reign in all those thoughts and concentrate on one thing.  Women are so capable of multi-tasking that I think we have come to consider it normal if we are mulling over a variety of topics at any given moment.  But we must, at some point calm our minds and hearts, or we will find ourselves becoming stressed and anxious.

One tool the devil uses to bring us down is our busyness. 

So how do we slow down our minds and calm our anxious hearts in the midst of a busy day? 

We have to consciously make the decision to think about the Lord.  When we feel ourselves beginning to give way to those negative thoughts, we can stop and say, “I’m not going to think about that!”

In Philippians 4:4-6, it tells us to rejoice always and to give thanks in all circumstances.  As we determine to do that, we are then promised that God will guard our minds and hearts. 

Instead of feeling burdened over washing dishes or doing laundry, we can thank God that He blesses us with food and clothes.  As we hurry to take our children to one thing or another, we can thank God that our child is healthy.  Or when we have to care for a loved one who cannot tend for themselves, we can praise our Lord that we’re able to meet the needs of the one we love.

Is any of this easy?  No.  But what we can keep in our minds is the knowledge that we are on God’s mind. 

The Psalmist stated this perfectly in Psalm 8:1, where he is praising God for His majesty.  As he takes in the wonders of creation, he is in awe of the fact that God has us on His mind (vs. 4).  And not only that, but we are also told that our minds cannot fathom the marvelous things that God has prepared for us.  So if our minds are going to race with a multitude of thoughts, let it race after the things of God.

Take Out:

If you have trouble calming your racing mind, take it to the Lord.  We are “under God’s mighty hand” and when we come humbly seeking after Him, we can “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV. 

Take time to study 1 Peter 5, and Philippians 4.  We are promised as we rejoice in our Lord and strive to keep our minds centered on things that are pure and praiseworthy, God will cover us with His peace.

Be in awe like the Psalmist that God has us on His mind.  He longs for our attention and praise.  He thinks so much of us that He is, even now, preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him.  That is the gold medal finish line we need to let our minds race toward.

Dessert:

Heavenly Father,

It’s so easy to get caught up in the rat race of life.  When I find myself worried and distracted with all I have to do, help me know that I am on Your mind.  Give me strength to keep my mind from dwelling on the negative things that surround me.  Instead, help me to remember all of the blessings You shower on me.  Thank You, Lord, that You will give me a peace that can only come from You.  Amen.

© 2015 by Joan Walker Hahn.  All rights reserved.

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