Fixate on current events and become anxious.
Consider the bleak projections for the future and become fearful.
Dwell on your own struggles and become discouraged.
Focus on personal inadequacies and become doubtful.
Mull over regrets and become guilt-ridden.
Contemplate fading dreams and become despondent.
Permit negativity free reign and become depressed.
How easy it is to drift away from the truths that provide prosperity of soul.
We must choose to remember the following.
NO MATTER what we see happening, no matter the fear beginning to build, we can affirm: “For every visible reason for terror, there is an invisible and immensely more powerful reason for trust.” [1]
O Lord, God of our ancestors,
you alone are the God who is in heaven.
You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth.
You are powerful and mighty;
no one can stand against you!
–2 Chronicles 20:6 NLT
NO MATTER that we may not know the way forward; we do know the loving, all-powerful, and trustworthy Way Maker who has promised:
NO MATTER that life is a struggle right now, God will use it for good. “There is coming a day [when] . . . We will have the glorious truth of our difficult ‘now’ laid out before us in a way that makes perfect sense, that will leave us panting a breathless ‘hallelujah’ for the process we’ve walked to get there.” [2]
“You do not realize now what I am doing,
but later you will understand.”
–John 13:7
NO MATTER how inadequate you feel because of failures, shortcomings, and doubts, you must remember: “Weakness . . . is the very thing that qualifies you. Never mind your feelings of inadequacy; it is God’s work, not yours.
“Simply make yourself available, and let go of any need to impress others, or prove yourself worthy, or achieve ‘success.’ What matters is that God has chosen you, and that God claims you as His own.” [3]
NO MATTER what you’ve done, “You no longer have to fear the consequences of your past, for your sovereign God promises that he will cause everything in your life to work together for your good and Christlikeness.” [4]
“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven. . .
. . . Blessed is the one whose sin
the Lord will never count against them.”
–Romans 4:7-8
NO MATTER that your dreams may be fading; “the death of your dream [is] not the death of God’s dreams for [you].” [5]
NO MATTER that circumstances conspire to steal your joy, you can . . . “Begin to rejoice in the Lord and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care-all are poisonous! Joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.” [6]
“Do not be worried,
for the joy of the Lord
is your strength and your stronghold.”
Nehemiah 8:10 AMP
NO MATTER the uncertainties and challenges of life, we have an all-powerful, wise and caring Companion for the journey, who provides all we need to experience prosperity of soul.
[1] Elisabeth Elliot, These Bold Ashes, 11.
[2] F. Elaine Olson, Peace for the Journey, 101.
[3] Brother David Vryhof
[4] Kay Arthur, His Imprint, My Expression, 274 and Romans 8:28.
[5] Tasha June, Take Heart, 25.
[6] A. B. Simpson
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From the Inside Out 