Another lesson for the storms--train your thoughts.
Okay, maybe that sounds strange, but I cannot tell you how critical it is in the midst of a frightening, seemingly out-of-control (or at least, out of your control) storm to not allow your mind and your thoughts to run wild. And believe me, they will...if you don't manage or discipline or train the thoughts that will flood your mind.
Yes, all those terrifying thoughts involving the worst case scenarios will pop into your mind. That's inevitable. But what's not inevitable is what you choose to do with those thoughts.
Each of us has the choice whether we'll chew upon destructive or despairing thoughts as a cow chews its cud...or whether we'll instead focus our mind's attention upon what God says is true and good and right.
Martin Luther expressed it this way: "You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Phil.4:8)
Don't allow your mind to be hijacked by the frightening, terrible, negative, ugly, destructive. No, instead, think, think, think about the true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, excellent, commendable. One way leads to discouragement, despair and terror while the other leads to encouragement, peace, and hope. We cannot control the circumstances...but we can control our thoughts...and therefore our attitudes, our perspectives, our hearts. Death or life. Despair or hope. Discontentment or joy.
Can I give just one example? My husband shared that during one of those especially dark and frightening days with Janie, he found his thoughts became almost unbearable with all the terrible, worst case "What if's?" His mind was racing (and so was mine).
Richard prayed and asked the Lord to help him, to please give him some thought he could cling to and could focus upon instead of all these deadly destructive thoughts.
Immediately the words to the great old hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" came to mind...and in particular this little phrase, "Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow."
Richard knew it was God's answer and provision for him--and for all of us--in that moment. It was if the Lord gently whispered that He would give the strength for today that was needed. All we all needed to do was to look to God, depend upon God, and trust God for today's strength. And our faithful Heavenly Father would always provide it. Today's strength for today's need. Today's grace for today's challenges. Today's peace for today's fears.
But in addition, God has the bright hope for tomorrow. He won't give us tomorrow's strength today...no, we have to trust Him for that when tomorrow comes. But He will be just as faithful and powerful and good and loving tomorrow as He is today, and He will give us just what we need tomorrow when tomorrow arrives. That means we can dismiss those terrifying thoughts about the future...because He's got the future. He's got us. And He's got bright hope for tomorrow. And His hope will never ever disappoint.
So today, go to Him for today's strength. And fix your mind and your thoughts upon His goodness, His grace, His love, His provision for today. Tomorrow He will be there as well--just as powerful, good, gracious, wise, loving--and that's what you can focus your thoughts upon when tomorrow arrives.
It all begins by choosing--in the midst of the storm--what we allow our minds to dwell upon--choose life, hope, peace, gratitude, truth, joy...choose Almighty God and His faithfulness!
To God be the glory.
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