Today is Wednesday. I’m struggling with some discouragement. And that’s just not like me. I changed to a new chemo this week because the other one wasn’t working any longer. Oddly enough, that’s not what’s getting me down. I’m not sure, but I think this discouragement is not knowing what this new chemo is going to be like, wondering if it’ll work, having some new side effects, and just not feeling like myself.
But, I refuse to stay in a place of darkness. That’s what discouragement is…a place of darkness. So, how do I do that? Here’s how: I open my Bible. The Word of God is my source of renewed strength. The prophet, Isaiah, said to the people of Israel that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). I must keep my focus on the right thing—the truth that is God. He is truth and the God of hope (Romans 15:13). The Lord tells us to set our minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2). He tells us to take every thought captive to obey Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5).
What do those verses mean? First, waiting on the Lord and receiving strength: I must be patient in my difficulties, praying that I draw upon strength that the Holy Spirit has already provided to me as a. believer. I am never alone, I am never without the Lord’s strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. Second, God is hope. I must never lose sight of the truth that God the Father sent His Son to die for sinners. Because I have put my faith in Jesus Christ, believing that He died and rose from the dead, I know that even after I die physically, I will also live just as my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is now alive. That is real hope—far beyond any hope we may have in ourselves, our friends, or doctors and medicine. I’m not saying don’t see doctors—I’m saying ultimately, hope is in the Lord. After all, He’s the source of humanity’s intelligence and He works through man’s creativity. Third…set my mind on heavenly things. To “set your mind” on something is to be intentional. It’s something done on purpose. I must decide to know God. This is done by opening my Bible to learn about God’s character and all that He has done. To learn about Jesus and all that He has done for me. You know, it’s impossible to set your mind on what’s above if you never open a Bible and if you aren’t a believer in Christ. Without faith and belief in Christ, Scripture is meaningless and you’re stuck focusing on useless, worldly things. Finally, the last verse: controlling my thoughts. I can’t let me mind run crazy, but I’m to keep my thoughts under control. Controlled by who? I must surrender my mind to the control of the Holy Spirit. We don’t like to think this way. But, it’s like this: the Holy Spirit lives within me—when I surrender my life to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to me, my mind is given over to the control of the Spirit so that I’m able to obey the commands of Christ.
So in my discouragement, I turn to God and His Word. It is where I find truth, strength, peace, comfort and encouragement. If you need prayer or a Bible, let me know.
winding up in hell. Put your faith in Jesus. Today. Today is the day. If you need prayer or a Bible, let me know.
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