To put it bluntly, fear, anxiety, and worry are an act of disobedience caused by a lack of trust and knowledge of the Character of God. When we are feeling stressed, worrisome, and stuck in a low self-esteem this should be a warning sign for us. We should stop and ask ourselves, “what am I believing right now?”
A low self-esteem – Could it be a belief that you weren’t fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose? Could it be that you don’t think the hairs on your head are numbered? Well, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, for a purpose and to such detail that every hair on your head is numbered. If that’s what God says about you, who’s voice are you listening to and believing if it doesn’t align with God’s Word?
Stress, worry and anxiety – Could it be a belief that you’re doing life all alone and it all depends on you? Could it be that you believe you have to earn love, approval and acceptance? Could it be that you think you’re not enough? The truth is that you’re already loved deeply. That you’re already approved of and accepted just as you are. Everything else is only a bonus as you work for God and not for the approval of others.
When we live outside of the truth of God, we are allowing something or someone else to be Lord of our lives.
If we believe that Jesus died for us, believe that we are loved by Him and believe that Jesus is Lord in our heads it’s time we start to find ways to apply it to our heart and soul in a way that anchors our identity in truth. God is LORD in every single situation we face – all of them ladies! Most importantly we need to be intentional about capturing every thought and emotion that tells us He isn’t.
We need to exercise the full authority that Jesus gave us over our poisonous mind-sets and change what we are meditating on. (Luke 10:19) We need to change our mediation from Satan’s kingdom to God’s kingdom by trusting God instead of putting things on our shoulders. We need to allow Him to work in and through us, letting go of our life and become a vessel worthy of being used to be light and love to those around us. It’s a super scary thing to take a step into the unknown and to not have all the details worked out, but one step of obedience at a time is all He asks for and He’ll work out the rest. Satan will surely try to enhance his attacks – but as we remain steadfast in the truth, Satan loses his hold.
My Current Focus
As I mentioned earlier, when it comes to freeing yourself from fear, stress and anxiety, we have to bring our requests before the Lord. After listening to Dr. Caroline leaf’s book Think and Eat Yourself Smart ́ she mentioned her 21-day brain detox. I signed up right away, and even though I wasn’t successful at sticking to it the first few days, I’ve been committed and am currently on day 8. It feels amazing to learn and grow by letting the Holy Spirit reveal the pains and false beliefs within me. She asks that we pray that the Holy Spirit reveals to us the areas of life that we need healing and transformation in and how we can work with God for healing.
I did just that and plan to continue to do it for the rest of my life. I believe that sanctification is a journey that entering a relationship with God and co-operating with Him. As we learn and grow, we must also continue to ask for deeper growth and closer relationship with God.
I went for a walk and prayed this: Father please forgive me for my negative attitude toward my family at times. I have some ideas of what its from, but it’s not from you and I no longer want to live that way. Father, please forgive me also for turning to food as a source of comfort and not turning to you. From what I’ve learned, when I put things to my mouth for comfort it means I have a lack of love, but I know that you fill me with so much love that it should flow out of me, so Father, I pray today that you reveal to me the broken pieces of my heart that are keeping me from walking fully in your will and in your call for me to love others fully. I pray that you reveal to me why I turn to food for comfort and don’t come directly to you. Teach me Father, in Jesus name, Amen.
Then I Listened…
The Holy Spirit revealed to me that my eating and body related issues stemmed from my lack of believing in His love for me. That I eat when I’m stressed because of an underlying fear of being empty and not having enough (not of food specifically, but empty in spirit) He also revealed that my desire to execute my personal agenda is putting me into a stress response leading me to food and away from the plans He has for me and it keeps me from using the gifts of encouragement, empathy and love that He gave me. I was not walking in step with the Holy Spirit and that’s why I was turning to food, because I was out of step and in anxiety – trying to do it all on my own and executing my own plans. I was missing many opportunities to guide, help, and teach my family and others. I was feeling empty because I was chasing the wrong ‘plans’. He revealed that in order to heal from binge eating, irritability and stress I needed to keep my eyes focused on Him and work all day long at looking for opportunities He is putting before me to further His Kingdom, not my own.
Prayer –
Father, I repent for my fears, worries, and anxieties in my daily life and of the belief system I have that tells me I must work for peace and approval. Help me to know that I know you are LORD of my life and live according to your truth. Father, I let go of my ‘control’ over things in my life. I know your ways, your will and your time is perfect and better than mine. I pray that you give me discernment to know when I’m trying to control situations and courage to let go of things to that you may flow in and through me. Please wash me with the water of your word, let it transform my heart, mind, and life that I may walk in the manor worth of your calling. In Jesus name, Amen.
Scripture for Mind Renewal
Psalm 56:3-4 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. what can flesh do to me?
Hebrews 13:6 – So we can confidently say, “The LORD is my helper, I will not fear, what can mad do to me?”
Timothy 1:7 – For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control
Psalm 34:4 – I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears
Mind Renewal Exercise
- Repent of your sins and forgive others. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the places in your life that contain toxic thought patterns and need healing and renewal in.
Listen and write down
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the root cause behind the toxic thoughts
you have
3. Journal about what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you and other
thoughts that come to mind.
Listen and write it down
4. Ask the Spirit to reveal to you how to begin healing and what kinds of things you should be focusing on (what should you be saying in replace of the toxic thoughts in your mind)
Listen and write down
5. All day long repeat the scripture or truths as you walk through the day and are tempted to live out of line with God.
Listen and write down
Repeat and Do again for 21+ days – sign up for the course: Dr. Caroline Leaf 21-day detox online program (I’m on round 8 and growing constantly)
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