But Satan wants us to think we are. He wants to leave us in a swarm of anxious, negative thoughts.
Satan is the master of deceit. But he is not the master of your mind. You have a power he cannot defeat. You have God on your side.
So
fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. — Philippians 4:8 NLT
The transliteration of the Greek word, here rendered as fix, is logizomai. Do you see the root of an English word in the Greek one? Yes, logic. Paul's point is simple: anxiety is best faced with clearheaded, logical thinking.
Turns out that our most valuable weapon against anxiety weighs less than three pounds and sits between our ears. Think about what you think about!
Here is how it works. You receive a call from the doctor's office. The message is simple and unwelcome. "The doctor has reviewed your tests and would like you to come into the office for a consultation."
As quickly as you can say "uh-oh," you have a choice: anxiety or trust.
Anxiety says…
"I'm in trouble. Why does God let bad things happen to me? Am I being punished? I must have done something wrong."
"These things never turn out right. My family has a history of tragedy. It's my turn. I probably have cancer, arthritis, jaundice. Am I going blind? My eyes have been blurry lately. Is this a brain tumor?"
"Who will raise the kids? Who will pay the medical bills? I'm going to die broke and lonely. I'm too young for this tragedy! No one can understand me or help me."
If you aren't already sick, you will be by the time you go to the doctor's office.
Anxiety weighs down the human heart. — Proverbs 12:25 NRSV
But there is a better way.
Before you call your mom, spouse, neighbor, or friend, call on God. Invite him to speak to the problem.
Capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:5 NCV
Slap handcuffs on the culprit, and march it before the One who has all authority: Jesus Christ.
- Jesus, this anxious, negative thought just wormed its way into my mind. Is it from You?
Jesus, who speaks nothing but the truth, says, "No, get away from here, Satan." And as the discerning, sober-minded air traffic controller of your mind, you refuse to let the thought have the time of day.
Lay claim to every biblical promise you can remember, and set out to learn a few more. Grip them for the life preservers they are. Give Satan no quarter. Give his lies no welcome.
Fasten the belt of truth around your waist. — Ephesians 6:14 NRSV
Resist the urge to exaggerate, overstate, or amplify. Focus on the facts, nothing more. The fact is, the doctor has called. The fact is, his news will be good or bad. For all you know, he may want you to be a poster child of good health. All you can do is pray and trust.
So you do. You enter the doctor's office, not heavied by worry, but buoyed by faith.
Which do you prefer?
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