Luke 10:17-19(nasb) The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
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James 4:7 (nasb) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
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Revelation 21:5 (nasb) And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

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2 Corinthians 9:7 (amp) Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].
Acts 20:35(amp) In everything I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’”
Luke 6:38(nasb) Give, and it will be given to you. They will [w]pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

1 Peter 5:8 (nasb) casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 
Jeremiah 1:5(nasb) Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;

​1 Peter 5:6 (amp) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time.

Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted.”
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​2 Timothy 1:7 (Amp)  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

Psalm 118:5-6 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can [mere] man do to me?

​I know God loves me
1 John 4:10-11: Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

I am not afraid! Fear tolerated is Faith contaminated.
​Psalms 118:6 God is on my side; I will NOT fear: What can man do unto me?
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

​Those who’ve read my book, Lord Of Our Emotions, know my life scripture has been Philippians 4:6 & 7(NASB)....
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I’ve recently discovered I’ve so wonderfully and astonishingly moved into verse eight (8) ....

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 

I ‘finally’ feel I’ve obtained the verse I’ve quoted for thirty years which is peace that passes all understanding. I do not understand it and can’t explain it but, finally, it seems to be permanent. I’ve experienced peace in the past for a season and in certain situations, for a brief time, but it was temporary. Anxiety loomed and fear would take over whenever the circumstance changed or depression (the dark hole) showed up.

In my book I tell readers that “right, pure, good and lovely” things are real and can be ours if we faint not. For some people who’ve seen mostly anger, sadness, evil and deception, it can seem like a fairy-tale that anything different exists. But I’m here to tell you that if you serve and follow God long enough, you’ll see the glory of the Lord and peace will be yours, even in a dark world.

When I was a child, I had no choice who entered my life. As a young adult, I thought I deserved abusive men and with veiled eyes I made terrible decisions about the people I allowed in my life BUT NOW I surround myself with people of God. I have wonderful men and women of God in my circle of friends, who together, we strive to live righteous and make a difference in the lives of others. These wonderful people are imparting good things into my spirit and I pray I do the same for them.

This certainly doesn’t exclude me from feeling concern or sadness for my family and friends going through trials, but it means I’m steady and peaceful in the midst of the storm.

Here’s a note in my Life Application Bible about Philippians chapter 4 verse 8:     
What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to fill our minds with thoughts that are “true and good and right.” Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, movies and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God’s Word and pray. Ask him to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.

I’m keeping Godly influences in front of me by way of worship music, reading the word, preachers on T.V. and prayer and fasting. It has now become natural for me to think on positive things, where pessimism ruled before. I’m not saying I’ve arrived. Please don’t hear that because I realize we’re all only one fleshly desire away from falling or stumbling but this is what we do....
Philippians 3:13-15(NASB) 
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
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Prayer: God when my actions or thoughts are not glorifying you, please let me hear your reproof and QUICKLY make adjustments according to your word and plans. May I realize that peace is a ‘state of mind’ and not determined by circumstance, allowing me to ‘stay in perfect peace’. I THANK YOU for every good and perfect gift, especially that of eternal life and pray I’ll continue to walk in peace. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
 
God bless you and may you FINALLY find peace that’s beyond understanding and be able to THINK on these (good) things. 

Here’s my problem. I’m just realizing I cannot simply ‘be’, exist or sit still. These are all words I use to describe where God has me right now. Its difficult to write the words, “God has me” because deep down I find it hard to believe that God allows any of us to simply do nothing. We are made to be productive. We are made to do something, set goals, accomplish them, strive for greater things. We are called to serve one another, love one another, work hard, gain wealth (according to the world) and check items off the ‘to do list’ EVERY DAY. And so it goes, on and on and on and my anxiety level is through the roof. I think I even encouraged you to write goals in my last blog.
You see I’ve been employed since I was fifteen years old. There was no time off for raising children. I never had a husband completely support me. I’ve NEVER been unemployed for more than a month or two because I’ve always had rent or a mortgage to pay, usually on my own.
At the time of this writing, I’ve been unemployed/retired for eighteen months. Yes, in those eighteen months, I’ve finished and self-published a book, conducted two book signings, 3-5 speaking engagements and served in many areas at my church, BUT I’m not currently adding to the household income. So, am I a productive member of society if I’m not earning money? I guess that’s a standard I’ve had for myself.

Many women obtain part of their self-worth through motherhood. They feel a sense of accomplishment in that they brought life into the world (as they should). I don’t have that accomplishment to fall back on. I’m just realizing, I’m more like a lot of men who obtain self-worth through a career. My head and heart know I’m supposed to get my self-worth solely through my identity in Christ. I thought I did, but apparently, I need to remind myself regularly. Maybe this is my wake-up call.

I thank God for the career I’ve had. It’s been satisfying and a decent income too. However, my retired husband, just returned to full-time work and my feelings are all over the place and the enemy is using it to attack me. I’m feeling guilty, confused, useless and a little directionless.

When these feelings remain in my head, they seem overwhelming and as if they’re reality. But when they’re in front of me on paper, the falsehood becomes apparent. Let’s look at each of these feelings individually and shed God’s light of truth on them.
 
1) Guilt: well, that is an evil spirit that keeps us paralyzed. My husband doesn’t expect or even desire for me to go back to work. He prefers I take care of our home and concentrate on my ministry. Guilt is something NO child of God should accept. Guilt & Condemnation are weapons of the enemy. Conviction is VERY different and sometimes necessary, but the Holy Spirit will NEVER put guilt and condemnation on us. So, I rebuke that, in the name of Jesus.
2) Confused: If I stay busy without centering myself to spend quiet time with Jesus, then my mind will move in many different directions. Shalom – peace – spend quiet time with the Father.
3) Useless: This is a LIE from the pit of hell. God loves me and is using me on a daily basis. God is using my book to minister to those who read it and as I mentioned, I serve in many ways at my local church. I must remind myself I am not my own, but was purchased with a price so it is not I who live but Christ who lives in me, which means I am EXCEPTIONAL. Also, we are not what we DO. Our worth is found in Christ alone.

     Titus 3:4-6 (ASV) But when the kindness of God our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, 5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the [a]washing of regeneration [b]and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior

4) Directionless: He will direct my path once I learn to center myself in spiritual reality and NOT listen to the lie(s) of the enemy.
        Prov. 16:9(ESV) The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
        Psalm 37:23(AKJV) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

When we allow the lies of the enemy to remain in the dark recesses of our mind, they grow like tumors. When exposed to God’s light of truth, they can be revealed and healed. I am thankful I took time to get this out of my head. I was writing today as time spent with God and for processing my emotions, but I’m choosing to post as a blog, in hopes that if you possess similar feelings you will be encouraged. While striving for the call placed on our life is a good thing, do not let it be the ONLY thing. Do not think you are WHAT YOU DO. You are loved for who you are – made in the image of God.

If you take time with the Lord in prayer and in His word, you too can shed HIS merciful light on the lies of the enemy and reach TRUE FREEDOM AND REST THROUGH GOD’S LOVE! Let God be LORD OF OUR EMOTIONS today and every day! God bless you.
 
The image for this blog is a book I’m currently reading by the amazing, Mark Rutland, and a quote from it that really spoke to me. I hope you enjoy it too.