Rent Free?

 During my personal devotions this morning, I continued reading in Nehemiah. I am always amazed at how blatantly evil some people can be. Nehemiah has a heart to rebuild Jerusalem. As he is working, evil people begin to say things to him solely for the purpose of discouraging him from continuing the work. 

In Nehemiah 2:10, Sanballat and Tobiah were deeply disturbed when they heard someone had come wanting to do good. How messed up is that? In the first verse of chapter 4, Sanballat and Tobiah become furious and indignant just because Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall. They started mocking the workers and making fun of their work. They laughed at them. In verse 8 of chapter 4, it says they tried to create confusion. How crazy is all that? And basically, all for nothing except to create fear, confusion, doubt, and discouragement. Doesn't that sound a LOT like the enemy of our souls?

I don't know about you, but I know me - and I have tons, thousands of questions going through my head every single day. It's so easy to give in to the fears, confusion, discouragement, and doubt. But I have to choose not to let any of that live rent free in my brain. If I don't get rid of it quickly, it grows like cancer until it takes over my emotions. That's why every thought has to be countered with what God said.

• I'm not rejected - I'm accepted in the beloved.
• I'm not abandoned - He's with me every step of the way.
• I'm not alone - God is with me still.

It's so easy to give in to fear and doubt. I want to be like Nehemiah who didn't allow thier poisonous words and intentions to rent out any space in his head. He just kept on working. He adjusted based on the attack, so he didn't just ignore them - He responded and continued. 

Isn't this what we need to do every single day? We see. We hear. We feel. But we also equip ourselves with the word of God, adjust, pivot, and proceed! 

Today, I may feel fear, doubt, or discouragement. But I will shift my focus to what God says about me rather than what the enemy hurls at me. I'll remind myself that I am safely tucked into God's heart and He's not going to let me go! When thoughts come, I will counter each one with a scripture, even if I can only think of one! I'll continue trusting the One who holds and sustains my soul and I'll remind myself that He's got me for one more day. I choose to trust what He says about me today. Will you join me?

_______________________________________________

Affirmations for Caregivers

I wrote Affirmations for Caregivers because it was what I needed to hear! This 31-day journal includes 31 scripturally based affirmations. Each day, the affirmation is followed by a short writing prompt and a verse or two to read. I also have videos on YouTube that coincide with each day's affirmation.

Now available on Apple Books!!! Affirmations for Caregivers