In your presence I have power and love and a sound mind. Your banner over me is love. And your love casts out all fear!
Pete woke up in a very low mood. He’d been battling with anxiety and depression for a few years. His company had shut down his department some years back and Pete was paid off. Depression had crept in. He had a new job now and no real reason to be down but he was. A fear had gripped his heart that it might happen again. “Dear Lord,” he cried, “I can’t work out why I’m so down. I know I’m secure but this anxiety keeps gripping me. I have a wife and kids, dear Lord. I need this job.” Glancing down into his Bible the words, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” jumped off the page.
Depression and anxiety are pandemic mental illnesses in our day and age. More and more people I talk to are suffering with mental health issues, consumed with fears and worries about their personal security and livelihood, not to mention the state of the world at present. In reality, these conditions are nothing new. People in Jesus’ day faced the same issues. Perhaps this is why he taught, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.”
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
Pete was encouraged by the words he read and searched further in his handbook of life, the Bible. He read: “He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Again, the Holy Spirit quickened God’s word… “A garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness! Yes, that’s what I need. I resist this heaviness in Jesus’ name,” said Pete, “and I don a garment of praise. Praise your name, O Lord! You are holy and you inhabit the praises of your people. Therefore, I know my praise carries your presence. In your presence I have power and love and a sound mind. Your banner over me is love. And your love casts out all fear!” Pete’s low mood melted away. He was filled with the joy of the Lord.
God-tracking is power and love and a sound mind
IT’S ALL IN THE BIBLE. READ ALL ABOUT IT. (NKJV)
Get into the word of God and get the word of God into you!
Matthew 6:25-35
Isaiah 61:3
Psalm 22:3
Song of Solomon 2:4
1 John 4:18
Nehemiah 8:10
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GodTracker
You can track God’s plans for your life with Dudley Anderson, the author of Tracking the Will of GodThis post is part of Dudley’s weekly GodTracker devotional series. You can also listen to his GodTracker podcast.