Jen’s Gem: Speak to your mountains!
The other day I watched a video about how to spot and then use triggers to change a habit or behavior. Specifically, when a negative feeling arises or we are in the midst of a cray cray situation, what can we do to turn it around? The speaker’s answer: pray.
Instead of investing in that pesky feeling of anxiousness, fear, or worry, we should look at it as a reminder to pray. Instead of paying for long-term parking in the pit, drive through it!
Let’s think about this…
You’re sitting in heavy traffic at the end of a long day and your blood is beginning to boil. You could choose to turn up the heat and yell at the other drivers.
This may make you feel better for a moment or two but what have you accomplished other than raising your blood pressure and perhaps putting yourself in a foul mood when you return home?
What if you used this opportunity to have a conversation with God? As soon as the negative feeling arises, thank Him for your car that is working perfectly or that you and your family are safe. Maybe if you are feeling anxious, you can recite a Scripture or two you know about peace.
Speak truth in that moment instead of speaking what you see or feel. Remember both are temporary. (PS. Everything in life is temporary!) If we are always declaring what we see, ooo eee! It’s no wonder our anxiety levels are through the roof these days. When we choose (and yes, we have to choose) to speak what God has to say about the situation, our frowns turn upside down.
For example, when confronted with eggs that are $8.00 per dozen, we can say “my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God is my Provider. (Philippians 4:13)
When we’ve been assigned a complicated project at work and we’re not sure how we will do it, we can declare “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
If we are feeling alone, and unloved, we can say “For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
If we’ve received a bad report from the doctor, we can declare “By His stripes, I am healed.” (Matthew 8:17)
You see, God knows each and every situation we will face today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives. He knows what it’s like to be a human being on this broken planet. He is not surprised by any of our circumstances.
To help us navigate these troubling times, we have His promises outlined on the pages of Genesis to Revelation. But if we don’t know what they are, then we will succumb to those negative feelings and head down the rabbit hole of depression, anxiety, fear, or (fill in the blank.) In short, we will walk by sight instead of walking by faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
“I don’t know the Bible. I haven’t memorized any Scriptures,” you may say.
That’s ok (for now!). You can say this simple prayer: “Help me Jesus.” The name of Jesus is above (bigger than) every other name. Above fear, lack, loneliness, hopelessness, illness, or whatever negative feeling or situation you’re experiencing. (Did you know that even Satan and all the devils of hell bow down to the name of Jesus?)
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
People often say “But you don’t know how big my problem is.” My response? “Then you don’t know how big my God is.”
Next time life wants to steal your peace and joy, fight back with the Truth. Fight back with prayer. Rinse and repeat and watch what God can do.