Examine yourself to determine if your mind is in danger of succumbing to stress and anxiety. I have more often than necessary been disheartened and discouraged by what my eyes have seen. When I see the rich continuing to disenfranchise the poor, it is discouraging. When I see people who claim Christ as Lord continues to call good evil and evil good, it is disheartening. Like David, I wrestle with my thoughts, wondering how long the enemy will continue to triumph (Psa. 13:2).
Then I remember that this world is not my home; we are sojourners (1 Pet. 2:11). By faith, God’s Word reveals itself through the counseling of the Holy Spirit. We focus less on ourselves when we focus on God and His Word. When your soul gets weary, ask God to strengthen you according to His Word (Psa. 119:28). Examine what you think you know, then go to the Word of God for knowledge and understanding.
Our minds absorb knowledge through perseverance and strength of character, and by His strength, we gain wisdom and understanding. We know people and leaders who use harsh words in general conversations to draw others into conflict deliberately. We encourage you to temper your behavior and not allow unhinged aggression to change your mind concerning good and evil. God has chosen us to inspire others. Our faith and God’s confidence in us should stir us to do good, so follow His example and “not grow weary of doing good” (Gal. 6:9).
We are journeying to expose evil and follow the Lord’s Way. The Holy Spirit leads by faith, and evil spirits will not cause us to turn back as long as we stay in the faith. The Holy Spirit provides counsel and reconciles us to God through Jesus. We have it on good authority that Paul found strength in the Word of God and “laid a foundation as a wise builder” (1 Cor. 3:10).
We are part of that construction team. We must be careful what we say and do because we represent the Lord’s Way and are obligated to grow to a level of maturity that exemplifies His Truth. Strengthen your knowledge of His Word and encourage others to do the same. Spend time building each other up and anxieties will decrease. The Apostle Paul sent Timothy, a brother and co-worker in Jesus Christ, to the mission field as an encourager.
Paul led the way by spreading the gospel and encouraging other disciples. By grace, we remind you not to be prideful and overly righteous in your thinking or actions. Like Paul, I remind you, "Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you are. Be honest in evaluating yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us” (Rom. 12:3). In all you do, focus on God and find strength in His Word.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
