Being Steered By The Savior Not Pushed By The Problem

How are you this morning? Is your heart exploding with panic, bleeding with fear, or pierced with confusion?

When chaos sweeps across the world causing businesses to close, supply shortages, exhausting the economy and closing church doors at a time when they’re needed most, it’s hard not to allow fear to filet even the most faithful.

Trust through trials of this magnitude is, in fact, a trial itself. So how do we handle hurdles?

We have to be steered by the Savior, not pushed by the problems.

1 | Set Limits

Let’s face it, we are bombarded with information – both accurate and inaccurate – at every turn. Setting limits on our intake allows our Limitless God to redirect our attention and restart an overloaded emotional circuit. He hasn’t walked away from His throne. He’s hasn’t forgotten the children He formed. He sees our misery and hears the fearful pleas. May we determine not to be pressed and molded by the world but rather mold the world by pressing into Him. So while we’re limiting our outside interaction, let’s return to an internal interaction that builds trust and releases fear.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

2 | Sift Through The Feelings

You and I were created in the image of God with feelings. Not only do they matter to God, but they also materialize in our outlook, directing the course of life. Are you afraid? Confused? Unsure? Overwhelmed? Allow the wholesome healing hand of God to sift through those emotions. It’s okay to not be sure. It’s okay to feel frightened. It’s not okay to not deal with these God-given emotions. Remember, the weapons we have divinely demolish despair. Wrestle through them with the Wrangler of the stars.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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 10:4–5

3 | Seek His presence

We need God’s presence in our hearts and around this world more than ever. And though we can’t seek that presence for others, we can seek it for ourselves, thereby sharing it with others. Spending just ten minutes pouring out your heart to the One who already knows it, allows Him to fill you up in those places you may not even be aware you need. The invitation is open and the rest is waiting. Let’s choose to turn off the news and turn to the Newsworthy Name.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Psalm 63:1-2
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

4 | Soak in His Word

Much like a kitchen sponge, our hearts can only soak up so much. We have to squeeze out the fear of this world with the words of the Father. Where else can we turn for He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68)? Use this volatile time to read through the Psalms, paying especially close attention to trust, deliverance, and victory. This is our daily nourishment of hope and encouragement.

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5

5 | Stand on His Promises

Who we stand on determines our ability to walk above the waves or be swept away by them. Promises are the guarantee that things will be done because of the Promisor’s trustworthiness. Friends, these promises bring hope to the hurting, encouragement to the emotional, and possibility to the pain. As you soak in His word, stand on the promises you find. These are your treasures in the trial (be sure to grab the I feel, BUT GOD says printable).

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:4
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. Psalm 33:4
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
Though the mountains are shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

6 | Surrender to Him Daily

Hand Him your arising fears, cantankerous concerns, and weighty what-ifs. We were not created to carry the burden, but the weight is nothing for the One who holds the world together. Resign the desire to figure it out. Renounce your need to fret. Reject the notion that it’s is out of His control.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways. Proverbs 23:26
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 3:3

As we, children of the King, venture into this uncharted territory, let’s choose to be steered by the Savior not pushed by the problems.

Let me hear your heart. What’s weighing on it?

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