Monday, September 11, 2023

This weekend’s message got me thinking about something I recently noticed in my life….

I’m a life-long learner—I love to read and listen to people talk about things that interest me. I have subscriptions to a variety of podcasts, hoping to broaden my understanding of current events. However, I make it a rule not to listen to them until afternoon, because I want my mornings to focus on God.

The other morning, I was on my way to visit my mom, listening to the K-Love morning show and singing along. I had to make a quick stop to pick up a few things for her. By chance, I went to a store I’d never been to before. I greeted the people I encountered, a very nice person helped me find what I needed, and I even had a brief conversation with the clerk and another gentleman about my recent escape from Hurricane Idalia when I was in Florida. When I returned to the car, I noticed how peaceful and content I was.

I realize that is not often the case after listening to my podcasts. Rather, they seem to create anxiety over the direction I feel the world is going. It occurred to me that, maybe, I need to be more aware of what I’m listening to.

I know there is another way.

Ephesians 5:15-17
¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Being retired, I have options that many don’t regarding how I fill my days. But we all have choices about what we allow to consume our thoughts. God’s Word tells us to “make the most of every opportunity.” He wouldn’t tell us that if it were not possible.

Sometimes, we drift through our days in a daze—choosing not to take the opportunities before us to know God and find our purpose in him. That requires focus, discipline, and intentionality. So take note this week whether your thoughts and actions are bringing the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control—into your life (Galatians 5:22). God promises that time spent with him will be worth the effort.

Bottom Line: God’s Spirit keeps us steady.

Questions:
Do you look for ways to escape the stressors in your life? What would it look like for you to draw your thoughts away from those anxiety-inducing stressors and toward the peace that surpasses all understanding that only comes from resting in the truths of God’s word (Philippians 4:6-7)?

Next Steps:
The next time you feel stressed, worried, or fearful, take a moment to stop what you are doing. Take a couple of deep breaths and identify the stressor. Then, go to your Bible app (or if you are old school, the concordance in the back of your physical Bible) and look to see what God has to say about it. Read and refocus your thoughts on the truth of God’s Word. Take it with you into the next thing you have to do. Let it remind you of God’s faithfulness in all circumstances.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, how grateful I am for your Word. It contains the truths and the comfort I need every day to live in this broken and fallen world with a peaceful heart. Jesus, I trust that one day you will return and set all things right. Until that day, I will set my thoughts on you by the power of your Holy Spirit. He will remind me of my security and hope in you during these dark days. When you come, you will bring the light. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

John 14:26
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

This post was written by Lauri White, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.