I prayed, “God, would you use me to carry your Spirit and the revelation that your perfect love casts out fear?” He answered quickly and people came out of the woodwork like ants to a picnic after my prayer.
I have met with many women lately. Not even aware of their stories, I learned they are riddled with fear, depression and anxiety. The voices in their heads and the lies swirling around seem to constantly bombard them. Have you been in their shoes? Are you now?
I’d like to make it clear, I’m not a counselor. But I do know the wonderful counselor and He is always available and his calendar is never too booked to meet with us so we meet together with him. For months now I have asked God to make me an “anxiety free” zone.
I sensed God wanted me to carry a no anxiety zone and release His peace and joy instead. (See previous blog post, “Discouragement Gives Way to Prevailing Peace”)
Let me liken it to this: you know how it is to be around someone who has recently eaten garlic, right? You don’t even need to get close to them to smell it on their breath because is seeps out of their pores. I want to “SMELL” too, not like garlic, but like joy, peace and rest. A NO ANXIETY ZONE!
Most things that we find ourselves worried about or anxious over, never come true. You’ll see what I mean in the example below. We are NOT to be destroyed by speculations and lofty thoughts, rather we are to destroy them.
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
(Speculations – NOUN. The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.)
Speculations can wind up affecting our thoughts negatively. Let me give you a few examples. This happened years ago to me – My husband Michael was late coming home from work. When I let speculations take over, it went like this:
- He’s probably late because he had a motorcycle accident.
- Any minute now I’ll hear the ambulance.
- I just heard an ambulance siren. See!
- If he dies, where are all the important documents?
- I will need to find a black dress for the funeral!
- ON AND ON IT CAN GO!
When my husband was late, why didn’t I think these thoughts:
- He probably stopped at the florist to get me a bouquet of roses.
- His boss delayed him in conversation about the great job he’s doing
- He needed gas for his motorcycle so he’ll be here in a bit I’m sure!
- He stopped to pick up Chinese carry out for a surprise dinner.
Oh, and here’s another one for you. Before Christmas two of my friends were to meet a group of us at a ballet performance. The four of us arrived early to secure seats. We sat in the auditorium caught up and visited and took our photo together. We had such a good time we didn’t even check our cell phones. We knew the others planned to join us closer to the start.
I wonder if they’ll arrive on time? I kept my eyes peeled on the look out. Meanwhile, they had arrived but were seated in a different section. They waited and wondered where we all were.
We finally met up. My friend Mary said, “Oh,my I was so worried, I even called Jeanne’s husband because no one answered my calls. He said you had left over an hour ago. I freaked out! I just knew you were all dead in a ditch!”
What is this? You got it…NEGATIVE SPECULATIONS!
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
Lofty thoughts are things that seem bigger than God. One thing I’ve noticed is if we carry a REALLY BIG GOD mind-set then our problems and circumstances come into proper perspective. So when speculations or lofty thoughts and are raised up against the knowledge of God, I’ve learned to review some promises and what I know about God:
- God is for me he is not against me.
- No weapon formed against me will prosper.
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- The joy of the LORD is my strength.
- God protects me.
- God will be with me wherever I go.
- I can cast my cares on the LORD – He promises to sustain me.
- God will strengthen me and help me; he will uphold me with his righteous right hand.
- The LORD makes my steps firm.
- God is the lifter of my head.
Any thought or reasoning of mine that sets itself up against this knowledge of God must be destroyed, pulled down and replaced with truth.
Let me encourge you. Don’t freak out! Mind your mind and think about what you think about. Don’t be anxious, pray!
I release peace over you now in Jesus name.
Do not be anxious/worried about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7
rachel inouye 