Never be shaken
My 5-year-old nephew, Jai, accidentally broke my digital camera yesterday. He was playing hide-and-go-seek and hurried beneath an end table in my bedroom where my camera was resting. When Jai rapidly crawled under the lightweight piece of furniture, he rocked it pretty hard.
In all the commotion, the camera hit the wall and then fell onto the floor with a thud. The lens popped out.
Though the camera’s recording feature still works, the visuals are all messed up. Everything looks like a blur because the lens is what gives the image or video focus and clarity. I have to ship it off to be repaired.
Recently, a lot of things have been breaking down.
The dryer broke; the brakes on one of the vehicles went out; the faucet in the kitchen is leaking; the faucet handle in the bathroom broke; the electrical wiring in the main bathroom short-circuited so the light doesn’t work.
All these things are minor, right?
But when they happen either at the same time or within days of each other, minor things can feel major. When negative situations come in clusters, well, that makes things appear far worse. And yet, you can still have peace and joy in the midst of problems.
I have had seasons when I was facing much tougher issues than needing a few repairs here and there. I didn’t see any way things would work out. I felt buried under troubles and problems. I wanted relief.
Have you ever had one of those seasons when situations snowball? Has it ever felt like your world was coming apart and that everything was breaking down around you?
Moments like this can be quite unsettling and they will cause you to fret… if you let them. It’s a choice.
A peaceful life is not one that has no chaos in it. That would be ideal, but it is not realistic. Nevertheless, there’s good news: when your world is chaotic and things seem out of balance, there is a key to maintaining your peace. Isaiah 26:3 NIV says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
The word of God declares that if we keep our minds steadfastly fixed on Jesus and trust Him, we will have perfect peace. Where is your mind? Is it on the problem or the problem-solver?
Someone reading this message has been deliberate and intentional about keeping your mind stayed on the Lord. You have been adamant about staying in the word of God and nurturing your spirit. You have refused to allow the enemy to make you doubt, fret and panic.
Because of that, even though Satan has tried his best to buffet you, frustrate and hinder you, you have frustrated the plan of the enemy instead. You have thwarted his attempts. His plan backfired.
He has hit you with his best shots and you simply won’t back down. You won’t stop believing. You won’t stop praying and praising. You won’t stop sowing into the Kingdom. You won’t let the devil stress you out and wear you out, and make you give up.
“Because you refused to waver in adversity, God is rewarding your faith. The enemy hit you with his best shot, but the attack didn’t work!”
That’s why you’re going to reap a harvest. That’s why you will see divine provision, blessings and favor overtake you. That’s why you will witness a shift in your circumstances.
You’re like David, who said in Psalm 62:1 NIV, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
David said I will never be shaken.
Never.
No matter what comes.
No matter who goes.
No matter what the enemy throws at me.
I will never be shaken.
When everything shakes around you, when you are confident in God, nothing can be shaken within you. So if ever you feel shaky, like your faith is taking a hit, all you need to do is shift your thoughts. Focus not on the areas where you feel powerless, but rather, meditate on the One who is all-powerful.
Then you will enjoy the kind of peace that Philippians 4:7 talks about, that goes beyond your understanding; that helps you rise above your circumstances; that convinces you that, no matter what, God’s got this; that makes you smile when others would be crying; that has you praising when some folks are complaining; that allows you to rest well despite the troubles beating at your door; that keeps you from falling apart when everything else around you is.
To help you never be shaken, I’m stirring the formula given to us in Philippians 4:6 NKJV right into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, remember that it is a combination of prayer and trust in our Almighty God that makes you unshakeable for the long haul. Whenever worry, fear, stress, and anxiety come, they will run into an impenetrable wall of faith.
Whatever you face, continuously do what 1 Peter 5:7 NIV says and “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You that when the pressures of life try to overwhelm me, You are the anchor of my soul. I will fix my gaze upon You, for You alone are my help, my refuge, my strength and my safe place. Though everything isn’t perfect, I praise You for perfect peace that helps me rise above any negative situation—big or small. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
