Steadfast and Focused on God

“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You – in both inclination and character]” Isaiah 26:3a AMP

When you’re going through something, literally any difficult thing, it opens the floodgates of thoughts pouring into your mind. And, there is no filter for these thoughts. Nothing that will automatically separate the thoughts you should have from the ones you shouldn’t. Past traumatic experiences will also stay embedded in your subconscious, laying dormant until they’re activated by whatever you might be going through currently. And, before you know it, those memories are triggered and your mind is racing.

This was the case with my middle son just last week. He felt a pain on his side, something he had been experiencing for a few days. So, his panic led to an impromptu trip to the medic. In his mind, he was back to 2015, when his appendix burst and he was rushed to the emergency room. Thoughts of his past near-death experience inundated his young mind. He was sure something was wrong and, from there, he thought of the worst. So, in the most serene tone I could muster, I told him he was fine; all would be fine; and he needed to direct his mind to prayer. And, that’s what he did. Praise God, all his tests came out negative, and it seemed to be just muscle spasms.

Our past traumatic experiences and current difficult situations trigger fear. Fear breeds thoughts in your mind which is where the enemy wants us. He wants us in our heads, allowing “worst case scenario” thoughts to fester. His aim is for us to stay in those negative thoughts because he knows that if we’re in those thoughts we cannot be steadfast in God. If we’re busy entertaining negative thoughts, we won’t be focused on God. And, if we’re not focused on God, we will not have the peace of God. It is impossible. This is why the Bible tells us to cast down vain imaginations and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Casting those thoughts down and replacing them with the Word of God eradicates fear, allowing God’s peace to enter your mind. Jesus, literally, demonstrates this for us in Matthew 4:1-11 when He is tempted by the devil. He tries to tempt Jesus; but, with each idea the enemy tries to plant, Jesus comes back with Scripture. Jesus uses the Word to back the enemy down; and, when the devil leaves, angels come to minister to Jesus. That’s peace. Sis, those thoughts you’re having (the ones that make you emotionally unstable, keep you up at night, and bring fear & uncertainty); they cannot stay…because your peace is at stake! And, the only way to maintain peace is with your resolve to stay steadfast and focused on God.