guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:7
Sometimes it feels like our hearts are breaking.
And sometimes we worry that we will lose our minds.
Both our hearts and our minds need protection.
When we let go of the defenses that have protected us for so long, and we
allow ourselves to be honest and vulnerable, it sometimes feels like we
will 'come apart'. In these moments we can find courage in God's promise of
protection. God's peace can guard our breaking hearts and our troubled minds.
Notice that God's guardianship of our heart and mind is 'in Christ Jesus'.
It is in Jesus that we see most clearly that God is 'for' us. God can be
trusted to guard us because God cares about us. It is in Jesus that we see
most clearly that God understands the dangers to our hearts and minds. God
can be trusted to guard us because God knows from personal experience the
dangers we face. It is in Jesus that we see most clearly God's power. God
can be trusted to guard our hearts and minds because God has the resources
to do what needs to be done.
The peace of God is not a 'blissed out' euphoria that helps us minimize
or ignore our problems. God's peace does not participate in denial. This
peace is not another Novocain, another 'fix' to alter our mood. It is the
gentle guard that protects us so that we can face reality. It is the security
that comes from knowing that God pays attention, that we are not forgotten,
that God is with us, that we are loved.
This devotional is very powerful and I even have it pinned up at my place of work for a constant reminder. The letting go of the defenses and the actuality of being honest and vulnerable can scare us, I included. But, that is where the trust needs to begin with God knowing that He can protect us during these times. God can be trusted to protect our hearts and minds. I especially love the phrase, “God’s peace does not participate in denial.”
Sent by a friend to your blog. Good message. To let ones guard down can be extremely challenging.
ReplyDeleteStuck-in-the-middle (love that name), thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true to totally let go can be challenging and very scary. But, until it can be done, you will not feel the true freedom. I am on my way, have not arrived yet, but look forward to the day when I can actually say and Believe, that I am free!!
LOVED THESE WORDS from your post:
ReplyDelete"God's peace does not participate in denial. It is the gentle guard that protects us so that we can face reality. It is the security
that comes from knowing that God pays attention, that we are not forgotten,
that God is with us, that we are loved."
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I have found that once we are SECURE in God's LOVE for us - we can take on the entire WORLD!
Seeking His daily Presence is key.
thanks for sharing... blessing to you.
Looking UPward and Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[Time to FLY]
Thank you for commenting on my blog. On my quest to find new, healthy, encouraging blogs to read, I'll for sure be stopping by here often!
ReplyDeleteDotBlogger-Thank you for your visit and your kind words!
ReplyDeleteTruthsharer-Thank you for your encouragement and visit!
I agree that this message is powerful. And the line about denial is so true. Thank you for your blog. I will visit again. I like your theme - Just Be Real. It is so hard for survivors to be real.But it is something I am striving for all the time. Blessings!
ReplyDelete