Philippians 4:6-8

  • The Fight For Peace Of Mind

    This week Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held all over Canada as our American friends honor Veteran’s Day. We live in some of the most peaceful places on the planet, but it didn’t just happen. Soldiers had to fight for us to experience the freedom that brings peace, much like you have to fight for peace of mind.

    Soul H2O Devotion

    The Fight The Fight For Peace Of MindFor Peace Of Mind

    A peaceful mind doesn’t just mysteriously happen, it will only be attained if you fight for it. Thankfully this conflict isn’t fought on the battlefield of combat but combatted in the battlefield of your mind. 

    I really think Philippians 4:6-8 is a great template for learning how to conquer in the battle for a peaceful mind, so let me remind you of what Paul said in Philippians 4:6-8.

    Philippians 4:7Don’t be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

    If you want peace in your life, you have to fight for peace in your mind first, before you deal with your problems.

    The first way to peace in your mind is to not worry about anything

    I bet you’re thinking, Seriously??? How can I do that? It’s unrealistic…If Paul was in my shoes, he’d worry…

    I just wonder, if it make any difference when I tell you that Paul was in prison when he wrote these verses? If you compare all of Paul’s writings, I think you’ll see how the book of Philippians, over the others, exudes joy, and he wrote it from a place of wrongful imprisonment. 

    So, how do you not worry about anything???  

    Follow the second way to peace in your mind – pray about everything!

    Turn fear into faith by disciplining your mind to pray, every time you worry.

    When you start to feel afraid your kids are going to get hurt riding their bikes, driving the car or dating that guy…Pray… Lord, I thank you for protecting my children.

    When you’re afraid of losing your job… Pray… Lord I thank you that this company is not my provider, You are. I look forward to seeing how you’ll provide for my needs.

    If you’re afraid of your marriage falling apart… Pray… Lord I bring my marriage to You right now. Fill us with a deep love for each other that will stand the tests of time.

    Turn fear and anxiety into catalysts for prayer.

    My theory is that the devil will clue in and realize he’s bringing on good things by causing you to fear and eventually he’ll give up… maybe??? Ya, as if!

    The third and last way to peace in your mind is to think on good things 

    And what is gooder than God? Nothing. 

    Put some worship music on, throw your hands up in the air and begin praising God. It won’t be long until your burdens are lifted, anxiety alleviated, and your heart healed. Then you’ll be in your right mind to deal with your problems.

    Does God’s peace make sense?   

    Not at all, it transcends Understanding and goes beyond human understanding

    • • Don’t worry about anything
    • • Pray about everything 
    • • Focus Your Thoughts on God.

    Then, tackle your problems.

    Rinse and Repeat.

    The fight for peace of mind is just that simple.

    Prayer

    Father… Thank you for giving me the mind of Christ with the ability to control my thoughts. I’m so grateful you provided a plan for peace of mind in your word. Please help me to not be anxious, pray more and think on Your goodness to keep the peace. In Jesus Name…Amen

    Drawing from the well

    Verses to help fill up your well.

    1. 1. Philippians 4:6-8
    2. 2. Isaiah 26:3
    3. 3. John 16:33
    4. 4. John 14:27

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    #musicpic

    #musicpic SONG: 
    Peace Be Still by Hope Darst
    Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIpGiz3SfQ

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    In Fight For Peace, Kay Wyma is back again, talking about her latest book, The Peace Project and how you can experience true peace on the Soul H2O Radio & Podcast show. 

    You can find today’s Show Notes at http://www.soulh2o.com/86

    Splash Online Event

    Snakes & Ladders  – Sometimes You’re Up, Sometimes You’re Down from the ‘Child-Like Faith’ Series is our November Online Splash event hosted by Sherry Stahl and the #SoulH2O Team. 

    Join us in the Soul H2 Splash Facebook Group or sign up for Splash emails in the group and see us on Zoom.

    SOUL H2O SPLASH

    Devotions Related to Peace of Mind

    Soul H2OIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.


    DOWNLOAD THESE REFRESHING RESOURCES TO HELP QUENCH YOUR SPIRITUAL THIRST!

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  • Defeating Anxiety By Counting Your Blessings

    Ruth ThorogoodThis #soulh2o devo is coming as a result of my recording with my adventerous friend Ruth Thorogood!

    I’m so thankful for this girl!  

    Recording the Thanksgiving episode with her got me thinking about my need to get back into the habit of Counting My Blessings in an effort to defeating anxiety in my life.

    I vaguely remembered writing a devo about that  and saw that I sent it out exactly 2 years ago today!  How crazy is that! As I read it, I felt so strongly that I needed to resend out this devotion instead of the one I had written for this week. I thought if I had a hard time remembering it and I wrote it, that it would be pretty-much new to you too!  I’m late getting it out again but hoping I have things regulated with all the new on my plate since starting the Soul H2O Radio show real soon 🙂  Girls, I’m loving it and hope you are too.

    Praying you have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!


    Defeating Anxiety By Counting My Blessings

    This post was featured on Crystal Twaddell’s FRESH MARKET FRIDAY Linkup. Crystal Twaddell

    This weekend, we Canadians will celebrate Thanksgiving.  Our houses will be filled with the delicious aromas of turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potato mash and pumpkin pie.  I’m responsible for bringing the Green Bean Casserole and my Thankfulness Journal.

    COLLECTING THANKFULNESS

    Years before I tried to get people to share what they were thankful for around the table and that never worked, so I bought the book and began collecting the gratitude of my family and friends at Thanksgiving dinner.  This year I’ve stepped it up a notch and again began Counting My Blessings each morning.  This practice always helps change my outlook on life.

    Philippians 4: 6-8In Philippians chapter four, Paul is writing to help people struggling with anxiety.  He says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  He then teaches how to keep this kind of peace in verse 8 by keeping our thoughts fixed on things worthy of praise.

    Science & Scripture

    I love when science backs up Scripture.  Recent studies have given fact to Paul’s theory on defeating anxiety with thanksgiving.

    In a Psychology Today magazine article called The Grateful Brain; The neuroscience of giving thanks”, Alex Korb, PhD tells how practicing thankfulness

    “has the power to reshape your  neural pathways….
    help you exercise more, sleep better and be happier…
    So gratitude had a direct effect on depression symptoms
    (the more gratitude, the less depression)
    and an indirect effect on anxiety
    (increased gratitude led to improved sleep, which led to lower anxiety).
    Either way, with gratitude you’re better off, and you get a good night’s sleep.”1

    In a scientific study of 293 adults with mental health issues, people were put into three groups. The first group received counselling. The second group went to counselling, but also had to journal about

    “their deepest thoughts and feelings about stressful experiences”.

    The third group

    “wrote letters expressing gratitude to others”

    along with counselling sessions. This last group incorporated gratitude writing in their health regimen

    “reported significantly better mental health“ by four weeks and still at twelve weeks.2

    God’s ways make sense.  He knows what works.
    So, start defeating anxiety in your life by daily Counting Your Blessings.

    Prayer

    Father…I’m thankful for Your Word.  It speaks right into my life with the same relevance to me as the people in Paul’s day. Defeat anxiety in my life as I express Thanksgiving to You and those around me. Let me experience Your peace when I focus my thoughts on Counting My Blessings and not my losses. In Jesus Name…Amen

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    If you think you may be struggling with clinical depression or anxiety, check out my MENTAL HEALTH page for some guidance and links to great resources.

    Soul H2O bookIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women. 

    1.  

    Drawing from the well

    1. 1. Philippians 4:6-8
    2. 2. Psalm 103:2
    3. 3. Ephesians 5:20
    4. 4. Psalm 118:1
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