Have I put my mind into a mental prison? I believe so.
“I’m not worthy” are the words that keep playing over and over again in my head. Along with those words are a few more. “Why me?” and “Who would read it?” Sometimes it feels like my brain is drowning in negative thoughts and doubt. I know to know that it is just Satan trying to sneak his way into my psyche and stop me from doing what God has been whispering, and probably even screamed at me at some point, but those negative thoughts are deafening.
Excuses keep running rampant and holding me back. Doubt continues to slither into my thoughts, stealing what joy and enthusiasm I did have in the task set before me. Yes, I know what the scripture says, and I even believe it, yet I continue to overthink, doubt, and allow it to abduct my delight in the assignment Christ has set before me.
Whyyyyyy?
Just when I had psyched myself up to move forward, someone would say something, without even realizing the hurt they had caused, and that darn doubt welled back up within me. Another interaction occurred with someone else and I began to overthink the whole goal put before me.
Have you ever overthought a circumstance so much that you physically made yourself sick? I believe that is exactly what happened to me. Out of nowhere, sickness jumped on me like a lion pouncing on its unsuspecting prey.
I’ve taken this time to pray, read scripture, be proactive in my thoughts regarding the task, and am determined to affirmatively say, “Not today, or the next day, Satan. Back off!”
I know I’m not alone. During this period of time, I’ve even had conversations with a couple of people who called me for a prayer request or simply just to share their heart concerning the same feeling I was going through, and they had no idea of my own mental prison. It doesn’t matter the age or the stage, Satan is always ready to steal, kill and destroy us.
Y’all, God was preparing me for this mental prison, and I just realized it! This past Sunday my pastor preached on John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Then, two days later I heard the radio DJ on The Joy FM read the same exact scripture. I had allowed Satan to slither his way in and not just cause me to doubt myself, but to overthink my insecurities so much that I became physically ill.
Then, while scrolling through Instagram, Jennifer Rothschild had a posting that spoke to me at just the right time. The photo’s words were, “When doubt fills your heart, the words of Jesus bring you peace.” Yes! So true!
God’s timing is perfect!
If you suffer from overthinking, doubt, and/or anxious thoughts, please read and believe these scripture verses. Don’t allow Satan to capture your thoughts and wreak havoc with you, tell him to “Back off”. Do allow God to build your confidence in Him, stand firm in His love, have joy in your situation, and embrace the fact that God has called little ole you to share His love with others. These are some of the bible verses that have encouraged and pushed me to heal well within myself. There are a plethora of verses to motivate you past doubt and anxiety. I want to encourage you to get into God’s word and allow our Heavenly Daddy to speak life and truth into you and get you on the right track to doing what He has called you to do.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 MSG (This just makes me smile!!!)
Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you {with deepest affection, and watches over your very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP (He’s got this!)
Hide me and protect me. I trust what you say. Don’t come near me, you who are evil, so that I can obey my God’s commands. Psalm 119:114-115 ERV (Hello, God. Goodbye, Satan.)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 NASB (Thank You, Lord!)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV (Read and repeat. Read and repeat.)
The more I read God’s powerful word, the stronger I feel mentally AND physically. Seriously!
If you need someone to pray along with you through a season of doubt, please feel free to message me, send me an email ([email protected]) , text me, comment below. Just know that I am here for you.
I’m grateful for family and friends who I can confide in. Before you turn to anyone, turn to The One who has you in the palm of His hand. Turn to Jesus and lay all your doubts, fears, anxieties, whatever feelings you may go through that are not from God down at the foot of the cross. Just be careful not to pick them back up and start that battle up all over again.
This is how I’m feeling right now. I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I do know Who holds tomorrow.
Today is a new day!
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie