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For over 25 years Proverbs 31 Ministries' mission has been to intersect God's Word in the real, hard places we all struggle with. That's why we started this podcast. Every episode will feature a variety of teachings from president Lysa TerKeurst, staff members or friends of the ministry who can teach you something valuable from their vantage point. We hope that regardless of your age, background or stage of life, it's something you look forward to listening to each month!
Kaley Olson:
Hi, friends. Welcome back to The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, where we share biblical Truth for any girl in any season. I'm your host, Kaley Olson, and I'm here with my co-host this week, Shea Hill. Shea, it has been such a good week on the podcast hearing from Lysa. I know I really enjoyed it. How about you?
Shae Hill:
Yes, it's been so good. I love how each day has been short. It's been practical. It's been encouraging. We've just loved taking a break from our normal programming to hear from Lysa every day this week as she shares some excerpts from her new devotional, You're Going to Make It. Today, we're rounding out this podcast takeover week with a devotional titled “Three Steps To Overcome Anxious Thoughts.”
Kaley Olson:
I mean, honestly, if I were the only one listening to this today, then I think this devotion would have served its purpose.
Shae Hill:
I think, me too.
Kaley Olson:
I feel we need this, and I already can't wait to hear it. But if you've been enjoying this week, don't forget about all 50 devotions available in the beautiful printed version of You're Going to Make It. Click the link in the show notes to find out how to get your copy, or visit p31bookstore.com. Now, let's hear from Lysa.
Lysa TerKeurst:
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (NIV).
Morning. Anxiety. Not one of us is completely immune to heart-stabbing, pulse-racing, anxious feelings. Most of us have had a personal struggle with this peace stealer. I'm so thankful God spoke into this struggle in the Bible. It reminds us that God doesn't want our lives to be constantly hijacked by anxiety. He doesn't want us walking through our days or lying in our beds at night, tormented by anxious thoughts. He also doesn't want us making decisions from a place of fear and missing out on seeing the good things He has for us.
Even Jesus Himself spoke to this topic when He told us in John 14:27 that He left us with peace. Peace, not worry, not fear, not anxiety. Make no mistake, sweet friends, the enemy wants us to feel hopeless. He wants us to live enslaved to our worries and fears, but God wants us to know that we don't have to let anxiety rob us of our peace, our hope, or our joy another single day. Instead of allowing anxious thoughts to wreak havoc in our hearts and minds, let's try these three steps.
Number one, pray honestly. Prayer connects our overwhelming anxiety to God's overcoming power. God can help us redirect our hearts and minds away from anxious thoughts and onto truths and safe assurances found in Him. We have full permission to pour out our hearts to Him honestly. We can bring every fear, every request, every need to Him without hesitation or apology. (1 Peter 5:7) When we do, we'll find that prayer and peace walk hand in hand.
Number two, read God's truths. We can intentionally think on truth by seeking out scriptures that speak to the issues we are facing. When we tuck God's Truth into our hearts, we are arming ourselves with the most powerful tool available, His Word. (Hebrews 4:12)
Number three, verbalize trust in Him. We can quote the scriptures we've memorized throughout our day. There is tremendous power in quoting a verse slowly and intentionally, claiming the truths contained within and verbalizing our belief in God out loud. I'm convinced, the more we draw near to God in prayer and the more we fill our minds with His Word, the more crowded out our fears and anxieties will become.
A statement to remember as we walk into today: Prayer connects our overwhelming anxiety to God's overcoming power.
A prayer to receive before tomorrow: Father God, thank You for the tender ways You offer to help me when my heart feels anxious and fearful. Instead of shaming me for my feelings, You offer to sit with me in the midst of them. Instead of expecting me to pull myself together, You offer me Your words that hold me together and bring me peace. You are such a good and gracious Father, One I know I can trust and call on at all times. In Jesus' name, amen.
Shae Hill:
Gosh, that's such a beautiful reminder for today. I want to repeat this line from Lysa's prayer just one more time for you to receive over yourself today. Here it is: "Instead of expecting me to pull myself together, You offer me Your words that hold me together and bring me peace." I think that was the perfect way to wrap up these devotions that we've gotten to listen to from Lysa with just the reminder that we can come to God as our Father, as we are, knowing He's holding all of our cares and gently reminding us that you're going to make it.
Kaley Olson:
Absolutely. And guys, we are celebrating with you today for tuning in to all five days of the podcast to hear these short devotions from Lysa as we take a break from our normal programming. Isn't it amazing what just a few minutes a day will do for your mood as you press pause for a short while in life to just receive encouragement? I'm so thankful we have these reminders on the podcast ready to revisit whenever we're tempted to think we're alone in what we're walking through.
Shae Hill:
That's so good, Kaley. So friends, be sure to pass these reminders on to a friend who may need to really hear it today. And also, don't forget to grab your copy of You're Going to Make It, the new devotional from Lysa TerKeurst, where you'll be able to have 50 new devotions, full color photography, space to mark up everything and make it your own. I'm excited for you to grab it. So you can get that at the link in our show notes or just by visiting p31bookstore.com. At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we believe when you know the Truth and live the Truth, it changes everything. Thanks for listening, friends.