Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.
Feelings of any kind of peace seem to elude the world as the COVID-19 pandemic creates anxiety and fear everywhere. You develop a slight sniffle, maybe cough once or twice, and you hope it is only allergies, but paranoia about the possibility of the virus hitting you can creep into your mind with ease.
Doctors tell you that your mind affects your body, but your body also affects your mind. Stresses, fears, worry, anxieties, all cause the body to secrete chemicals that actually prepare it to die rather than helping it to live. On the other hand, your body also responds to joy and relief, as endorphins pour across every cell. They can relieve pain and even create euphoria.
Your emotions are God-given, for He made you and He knows your frame. Fear can block your mind and your body to the point where you slump down, even hide, accomplishing nothing. But faith, when exercised, can block the doorway of your heart, soul, mind and keep fear from entering in. There is another fear that is productive, however, and it is the fear of the Lord. It is not about being afraid of Him, but of holding Him in awesomeness, respect and submission. Consider Psalm 25:12-15, which says, “Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will He instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul will abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them is covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord.”
Pray With Us
Lord God, You are so mighty, so awesome, and so full of love. I admit that I lose sight of that sometimes; that I allow my focus to go to circumstances and not always toward You. Break down the stronghold of fear that has caused me to worry, be anxious, filled with stress, depressed, and feeling broken. I long to trust You in everything. Your Word says not to be concerned about tomorrow. Help me to trust you with all my tomorrows, Lord, for as many as You will graciously render to me. I choose to keep my focus on You. In Jesus Name.
Amen.
