Slow down. Take a breath. In and out. Inhale while you say “Jesus." Exhale while you say “I am yours.”
Repeat.
I don’t know about you, but I feel the challenges of life creep in periodically, and it takes me by surprise. I can be going along just fine, and then suddenly it feels as if everything hits all at once; and like a ship without anchor, I feel tossed around.
The past several months have been incredibly busy for me. Some of the busy-ness is welcome, and some aspects of it are extras that feel burdensome. In addition, there are the unexpected details of life that happen in the midst of our already busy schedules. Things like broken down cars, applications, deadlines, sickness, relationship conflict, etc. All of these things demand our attention and energy.
I can feel my mind and heart become sarcastic and cynical as a coping mechanism. I also can enter into discouragement. However, when I’m present in my experience and process, I know these traits are warning signs of a heart that needs renewal.
Breath in, “Jesus.” Breath out, “I am yours.”
It’s here in these places, and even BEFORE I get in such a state, that I need to anchor myself in Him, the keeper of my soul.
Do you know that HE is your keeper?
Here is what His Word says:
"The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."
Psalm 121:5-8 (NLT)
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40: 30-31 (NIV)
"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest."
Hebrews 6:19-20 (NLT)
When we think of anchors, we often just think of a ship dropping anchor and it attaches itself to the ocean floor or a rock, etc. But there are several different kinds of anchors. A sea anchor drops and drags, so as the vessel keeps moving forward, the anchor is used to minimize drift relative to the water. It works to help steer the vessel in the right direction in the midst of chaos.
Just like the sea anchor, as we keep going, He keeps us grounded as we trust Him to be our anchor.
We find the stability in life as we renew our minds. The world will give us all kinds of remedies for life, but we only find our true lives from one source, the Bible. It ultimately reminds us, "Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind! Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2 - NIV - emphasis added)
Loved ones, there is no safer place for us to abide than right inside the heart of God, our Heavenly Father. Let us run toward Him and not grow weary! He RENEWS us as we go to Him. As we allow His words to wash over us, He KEEPS us as an anchor for our soul, “firm and secure." The Scripture says that He goes to God the Father and intercedes for us as our High Priest. How beautiful!! He prays for us.
This RENEWS my heart and my mind to say, “Jesus, I am yours!!!”
Your Friend,
Rachel