Keep Your Mind Focused on the Lord
There are times in each one of our lives when we find ourselves stressed out over the things that we are going through. Sometimes, we are stressed because of the many things that are pulling us in every direction.
There are those who go through times when it seems like there is nothing ahead of them but impending doom. It seems there is no good scenario for the future. They feel overwhelmed and anxious.
What do you do at those times? Where do you go to find comfort, encouragement, and help to withstand the stress of being pulled in so many directions? I believe what we focus our minds on makes a difference.
In Isaiah 26:3 we are told that God "will keep" us "in perfect peace" when our mind "is stayed" on Him for we are trusting in Him. God can give us that "perfect peace" even when the storms of trials are raging around us. Even when we are besieged like a city under attack from without, we are securely guarded by a strong garrison within. God can keep us or put a guard over our mind and our heart. He can keep us in perfect peace. Here is the key. We must keep our mind focused on the Lord and keep trusting Him.
When we are in the middle of the battles of life and the stresses of being pulled in all directions is so strong, that is when our minds get focused on what we are going through. This is where we make a mistake. We should keep our focus on the Lord and keep trusting in Him. It is a choice that we must consciously make. When we focus on the Lord instead of all the problems and worries that we are facing, we can be assured that there is no problem, difficulty or stress that is so big that our Lord cannot handle it. When our perspective is right, He can give us perfect peace.
This peace is not an absence of conflict. It is the peace of knowing that God will work things for our good and His glory. It is a peace that is rooted in the fact that our Heavenly Father knows the plans that He has for us to do us good and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). He is our Heavenly Father who knows all about us and cares for us deeply.
We can claim the promise that God will give us that perfect peace when we focus on Him and trust Him. It is especially true as we go through those rough patches in our lives. This is where our faith is really put to the test. Today, I want to encourage you to keep your mind focused on the Lord and trust Him. Trust Him through it all and enjoy the peace that only He can give.