Don’t Despair

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.

2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV

 

There I was again … in despair. Needy. Overwhelmed by problems that threatened to take me down. Tears flowed freely as my pity-party got into full swing.

Then I opened Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and these words smacked me in the face: "You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My presence." ~Jesus

The choice was simple—depend on Him or remain in despair. I could either continue to fill my mind and heart with my problems or His presence.

I won’t say it was the easiest thing I’ve ever done, but I chose His presence. I chose to cast my cares on Him and trust Him to work things out as He saw fit.

When the cares of this life close in on us, it’s easy to fall into worry. Anxiety. Fear. Even depression. We can focus so much on our problems that we tend to lose all hope. The loud, accusing voice of the Enemy will try and convince us that God has abandoned us. That He won’t come through for us this time.

But the Enemy is a liar, and God’s Word is the only truth we have to stand on. God sees us. He knows us. He is for us. He will do battle for us. And He will win every time, so there’s no need to despair.

Photo courtesy of Kayla Koss on Unsplash.

Does Practice Really Make Perfect?

By Andrea Merrell

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal

but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself

against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought

into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Rehearsing something over and over can be good or bad. It depends on what we’re rehearsing.

Too many times, we play out situations, circumstances, and problems in our mind so much we have it down to, as they say, a science. We over-analyze those problems, turn them inside out, and create a fix from every conceivable angle.

I’ve learned that when I get caught in this trap, it steals my peace and causes nothing but anxiety. If practice really does make perfect, there are those of us who have genuinely perfected the act of worry.

God wants our focus to be on Him, not problem-solving. The only thing He wants us to practice is His presence. He has promised to lead, guide, and direct our path, lighting the way before us. He has given us His Holy Spirit as counselor and teacher and His Word as the ultimate guidebook for life.

The next time you’re tempted to rehearse your woes, pull down those strongholds and cast down any thoughts that rob you of your peace and joy. Practice His presence instead of your problems. That kind of practice really does make perfect.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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If practice makes perfect, practice God's presence instead of your problems. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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