Her dearest friend was away the morning she found out. The
information halted her breath and drove Judy to her knees. When she
could move, she shut off her cell phone and left it on the floor. The patchwork
quilt cocooned her on the tan corduroy loveseat. She wept as she realized the
details were too deep and personal to share with anyone.
By the time the afternoon shadows lengthened, the crisis dominated
her mind and heart. She rose and fumbled through dinner preparations,
forgetting to add tuna to the casserole. Dread about how she ought to respond settled
over her as she ladled out the soup. The brave front she adopted left her
family unaware of her dilemma. She excused the children from clean up, saying
it was her turn.
Have you been isolated by events or emotions on occasion? Or
do you keep your own counsel by habit?
Either way, in reality we’re never truly alone. We can turn
to God at any moment. But sometimes the human condition can make our heads feel
like an MRI scanner. Thoughts bounce and bang ominously as they repeat past
messages, conjure odd ideas, evoke wild emotions. Even devoted believers fall
into this pit. There is an escape route.
1. Listen to the rebounding clamor and write down what you
hear.
2. Read the comments aloud to engage the objective side of
your brain.
Would you call a friend one of
those names? Refuse to say it to yourself.
Does that evaluation or plan make
sense? Double-check the facts.
Is the fear, anger, or pain out of
balance? Verify their sources.
3. Research what God says about and to you, and write it
down.
Are you yearning to be valued or belong,
to dwell in a place of security?
Do
not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine
(Isaiah 43:1).
Is the constant barrage wearing you
down, and the turmoil stealing your peace?
Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).
4. Rephrase His Truth as godly self-talk, not I-centered
statements.
“Judy, you are redeemed. You belong
to God.”
“Judy, soak your mind in God’s Word.
You will be revived.”
These strategies are tools to uncover our human frailties and
restore our confidence in who we are in Christ. As we implement them in
obedience, we build our defense system and promote our peace.
We demolish arguments
and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we
take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians
10:5).
About the Author:
Sandra Allen Lovelace is a continuing missionary, a pastor’s
wife emeritus, and a homeschool pioneer. She’s a well-respected speaker and
author known for her transparency, warmth, and humor. Sandra has two manuscripts
underway, Wallflower Women and Naomi. She enjoys hiking with a camera
in her hand, best done on an international adventure. Sandra and her husband
Curt are transitioning to South Carolina.
Get to know Sandra at her website, http://sandraallenlovelace.com/
You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook. If you contact
her at Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ she’ll be delighted by a reason
to practice.
