Folded inside my Bible are some pages of old, marked and tattered paper with scripture based prayers and faith declarations printed on them. One of those is based on the verse above. I wrote it in my own words like this, "I will not give into fear, evil foreboding and anxious thoughts, but I will have a glad heart, resulting in a continual feast, regardless of circumstances."
Some years back, we went through a long "Job season". It seemed that in every area of our life what could go wrong went wrong. Legal problems, financial problems, relational problems, on every hand we faced loss and turmoil. I became nervous and anxious. I suppose some would label it post traumatic stress. I became afraid to check the mail or answer the phone. A sense of evil foreboding became my constant companion. I wondered when the "other shoe would drop", the next problem arise.
Not long after this season began to subside, I heard a teaching on Proverbs 15:15. The essence of it was that we can be robbed of the peace, joy and goodness that God has for us in our present day because of our despondency, fear, anxiety and evil foreboding, (fearful apprehension, a feeling that something bad will happen). These feelings can haunt us for a variety of reasons. Maybe it's the result of being raised in an insecure and fearful environment, maybe it's the result of going through a season of trauma or trial, or maybe you can't really pinpoint why you tend to feel despondent, anxious or fearful. Regardless of the reason, these mindsets make our days bad instead of blessed. It no longer takes a negative circumstance to ruin our day, all it takes is a fearful foreboding of "what if..." and our day is tainted.
I knew I had to ask God to heal me of the hurt and trauma I had experienced during our Job season, but I also had to make a determined decision on my part to not let it keep robbing me of the goodness and mercy God had for me in the present moment. That's when I began to speak aloud these words every day, until the evil foreboding was broken. "I will not give in to fear, evil foreboding and anxious thoughts, but I will have a glad heart...." It's been wonderful to realize that, with God's help, I've now become a person who anticipates God's blessings, who looks forward to what God has for each new day.
still following,
Elizabeth, I am so glad to have stopped here this morning as I now have a Scripture to pass to someone who shared with me just last night. It is true, it does take a determined decision, a made up mind, not to let the "what if's" rob us of all God has for us in this moment. Grateful you shared this today. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI love the way God works! So blessed that this word was timely for your friend.
DeleteThank you for this reminder! I tend to give in too quickly to all my uncertainties when instead we have God who is more than willing to carry the burden for us. The best part of the verse from Proverbs is "with a glad heart". It is an instant perspective changer. Weekend blessings!
ReplyDeleteMary, I'm so glad that this truth from God's Word strengthened and helped you!
DeleteElizabeth, thanks for sharing the scripture and your encouraging words. It's easy to lose the joy when we focus on all the circumstances instead of on Christ. I like your idea of repeating the words of that verse to yourself. God's word is always effective. :) Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI've got twenty something verses that I've restated in my own words to use in prayer. It's been a real blessing to me.
DeleteOh, yes. These are words I need to have written on my heart daily, Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete"I will not give into fear, evil foreboding and anxious thoughts, but I will have a glad heart, resulting in a continual feast, regardless of circumstances."
Lisa, so glad this verse helped you because it's sure been a blessing to me!
DeleteThanks for this wonderful post. We are in a big stress moment of our lives with the last 6 weeks of school, my daughter having 1 week to decide on a college, and our church going through some transitions. I need to remember this verse in the days to come, as we work through all of this. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I'm pausing to pray for you right now that God will lead you very clearly and rule your heart and mind with His peace.
DeleteThank you Elizabeth. I appreciate your prayer.
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