For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT
If you talk to a doctor, you’ll be advised to make sure you are getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well to enhance mental health. But nothing can compensate for an inability or unwillingness to harness our fears and make the decision to trust God. However, that’s not as simple as it may seem. We have to make the same decision many times over, maybe even many times a day. When things happen that surprise us, when we begin to imagine and fear what might happen, when we can’t seem to forget the past, we have to choose. Yes. We have to make some new choices that affect the way we think.
Choose to let go of the past. The past is over. Living there will not help you. You can’t go back to “the good old days” and you can’t erase the things that hurt you. You can forgive and grow. Don’t be reluctant to get some counseling help if you are having a hard time doing it yourself (Philippians 3:13).
Decide to live one day at a time. Jesus was a realist. He said to not worry ahead of time because every day has enough to handle on its own. Just one step at a time is what we can manage. Focus on right now (Matthew 6:34).
Admit that you cannot control the future or the people in it. There’s nothing wrong with doing what we reasonably can to prepare for tomorrow. But our future is still in God’s hands. We do what is wise, but then we trust that whatever comes up, God will be with us. We never know for sure what will happen on a given day, but God knows and is able for anything (Proverbs 27:1).
Remember, you never have to do it alone. Of course, you have Jesus. He said He would be with you always. He promised the Holy Spirit to guide and counsel you. But there’s more. The family of God is here for you. It’s our way. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). But you have to open yourself up. Share yourself. Join a group. God will bring the right people to you.
- Yesterday, today, tomorrow – you can face whatever. His strength is in you and around you. What is He telling you now?