All of us have had to adjust to many things outside our normal mode of life. We are constantly wondering if we have washed our hands enough, used enough sanitizer, and followed social distancing. Certainly these are things we need to adhere to. However, amid following CDC guidelines, we can allow these stressful circumstances to keep us out of peace. The enemy loves to play havoc with our mind.
The other day my daughter commented, “Mom, just going to the grocery store is a stressful event.” I agreed that it was stressful, as well as taking so much more time practicing social distancing. I honestly did not realize the amount of people contact we experience on any given day.
And of course, the news reports do not help our state of mind. But I’m so thankful that despite the circumstances we are experiencing or the news reports we hear, we have a Heavenly Father we can look to for peace in the midst of the current turmoil.
It is important to always look to the Word for instructions. I practice going to scripture every day for guidance and wisdom. Some people only seem to read their Bibles when difficult times come. However, it is important to build your foundation in the Word every day. It’s hard to build anything during a storm.
The devil cannot touch our spirit, so he tries to bombard our mind. If he can manipulate how we think, he will control and manipulate our entire lives.
Whatever circumstances I am dealing with, I always find scriptures that will minister to me and help me overcome the situations. During this time, Isaiah 26 has been such a comfort to me. The chapter was written as a song for the children of Israel. Isaiah had warned Judah that tough times were coming and gave instructions for those trying times. I love the first four verses:
“In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song: Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation. Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock” (Isa. 26:1–4 (NLT).
During this pandemic our family has been confessing, “Our city is strong. We are surrounded by the walls of God’s protection.” And then we are directed to verse 3, which says in the King James Version, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” It is our mind—or you might say thoughts—that gives us difficulty. Experts say we think between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts a day. That means we think 2,500 thoughts an hour or 42 thoughts a minute.
The devil loves to take advantage of our mind. First Peter 5:8 (NLT) says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” The devil cannot touch our spirit, so he tries to bombard our mind. If he can manipulate how we think, he will control and manipulate our entire lives.
Our mind is a battleground where the devil loves to wage war. During this pandemic, I have seen many people literally consumed with fear from the thoughts the enemy has placed in their mind. They are constantly bombarded with thoughts of catching COVID-19. They hear the statistics of people who have been affected in their city and become consumed with fear. The Bible says that the Lord will keep us in perfect peace—not just peace—but perfect peace if we will constantly keep our mind on Him.
How do we do that? When the enemy brings negative thoughts to me, I answer him back with the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He always responded with scripture.
As I stated in last month’s Seed Thoughts, one of the most important scriptures we can respond with during this crisis is Psalm 91:10–11 (NLT), “No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”
I encourage you to keep your thoughts on the Lord and meditate in the Word, and you will live in perfect peace during any storm that comes your way.
Author
Lynette Hagin
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