“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life,” John 6:63.
It’s been a hard week. And no, it has nothing to do with the recent political election, although that has been a real doozy, hasn’t it? Honestly, I wish I could tell you all the things going on that seem to weigh down my spirit. But I don’t have to, do I? You’ve been there. You’ve had your own stuff at some point, bogging you down, making you feel defeated and without hope.
I’ve spent a lot of time praying this week, asking God to help me “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5,) but the tell you the truth, I’m not very good at that. Taking thoughts captive, that is, and making them stay where they should. Things just pop in my head—things that ought not be there—and instead of pushing them away and setting my thoughts on higher things, my mind just dwells . . .
Shame on me. And because of my tendency to dwell on things I shouldn’t dwell on, I feel pretty frustrated.
But right here, in John 6:63, is the answer! When we can’t get our thoughts to cooperate, we can bury ourselves in God’s Word. His words refresh our spirits. His words give us new life. His words restore our energy and our hope, and fill us with His peace, with His joy.
So that’s what I’ve tried to do this week—bury myself in God’s Word, spending more time than usual—and it has helped. I don’t know why I wait so long sometimes before I go there. But from now on, I plan to go to my life source at the first sign of distress, instead of waiting until I’m ready for a spiritual 9-1-1 call. I’m so glad I have the source of spirit and life at my fingertips, and can access it any time I want.
Dear Father, Thank You for Your words of life and truth. Thank You for giving me all I need to live a joy-filled, victorious life.
Renae,
Turning to God first doesn’t seem to be something we can program for ourselves, even though we want it, or say we do, perhaps pray for it. We have to choose it manually. I guess that’s the true freedom of choice–free will. Keep praying and studying God’s word and you’ll find the answer that works best for you each challenge. You’re an inspiration to us all.
Good point, Linda. If it were automatic, we’d all make better choices, wouldn’t we? God wants us to choose Him. Thanks for the reminder.
I love the Word, too, Renae. I’ve actually written a poem about it called The Lifeline. Great minds think alike, huh? Well, at least our minds do! 🙂