Give It to Jesus

(This is a follow-up to yesterday’s post. It’s another long one.)

Yesterday when I began writing, I was actually planning to focus on how to deal with the seemingly ‘little things’ that hurt us, but the Lord pushed me in a different direction.

I think it’s important to know how to handle the little things that pile up in our lives- especially when they are related to how we think about ourselves, others, and God.

I am a person who internalizes things. I overthink. I am pretty good at worst-case scenarios, and when someone doesn’t reply in a timely manner I’m pretty sure I’ve said or done something offensive and they are planning their heated response.

I’m a work in progress, what can I say?

So what do I do when someone says something that hurts me, makes me doubt myself or God’s leading, and I am tempted to rehearse it over and again in my mind, convinced that they are right and I am what they said, or what Satan has accused me of?

I have learned to give it to Jesus.

I know that sounds trite. And by itself, yeah- not so helpful. But it is, in fact, the most powerful thing we can do!

God has told us over and over that we can come to Him any time, with any burden. He understands how it feels to be lied about, to be falsely accused, to be rejected and have all kinds of ugly things said to His face. Sometimes by people who truly did love Him and were closest to Him.

Hebrews 4:15-16
(15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Mental distress is time of need. Worrying over something that was said or done is time of need. Wondering if you misunderstood the leading of God because of a flippant remark someone made is time of need. Being unable to sleep because your mind is consumed with an issue is time of need.

God is always ready to give us mercy and grace. We can come boldly because of what Jesus has done for us on Calvary!

And it doesn’t matter how many ‘time of need’ you have in a day.

God actually tells us to pray all the time. Like, literally continually. It should become our default regardless what we are facing, experiencing, or are concerned about. Give it to Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:11
(11) “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

The word faint here in Luke means to be weak or to fail in heart or be weary. If we want to make it through the day and night without being discouraged, then we need to pray!

[Other scripture about praying often: 1 Thess. 5:17; Psalm 105:4; Col. 4:2; Eph. 6:18; Acts 6:4]

After we have given our burden to Jesus, it benefits us to comfort ourselves with the truth.

Psalm 94:17-19
(17) Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
(18) When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
(19) In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Let the truth of the Word of God be your comfort. Rehearse the ways He has worked in your life. Remind yourself of who He is- and that you are His child!!

Romans 8:1-6
(1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

There is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus! He paid the price for me. He gave me a new heart and a new life. Whatever Satan does to accuse me, I can stand in confidence that Christ has redeemed it.

The caveat here is that I have to walk in the Spirit. That is active faith. That means I have to fight the pull of the flesh that wants me to wallow in despair and self-pity, forgetting what Christ has done, and leading me to death.

I need to make sure I am walking in obedience to the Lord so His righteousness is fulfilled in me.

This where the second part of the plan comes in: renewing my mind.

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We are to be transformed by renewing our minds. And let me tell you, that is hard work!! We are constantly bombarded with information, opinions, thoughts, all of which can cause us to worry…

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Eph 4:22-24
(22) “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

It is a process to retrain your mind and renew it! It does not happen overnight. It only comes by being in Christ, knowing the scriptures, rehearsing them to ourselves, and going to God again and again and again. Changing our default response through active relationship with the Spirit of God.

2 Cor. 10:3-6
(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
(5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

(Click the link for more detailed study on this passage: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hT74LaZaqMzqiD9NWhr00oOWVOQxkCUv/view?usp=sharing)

I am sensing a theme here…walking in obedience to the Lord, not fulfilling the flesh. That’s really where we start.

I have to actively put my negative thoughts up against what I know to be true about God, and what He says is true about me. I have to remind myself that my enemy is not the person who said whatever that hurt me. We do not war after the flesh.

So I need to fight spiritual issues with spiritual power. That means praying and giving it to God, asking for His help to focus on His Word and truth, and actively putting His truth into my heart and mind so I have something to focus on! Truth to fight the lies!

Philippians 4:6-8
(6) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
(7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Isaiah 26:3-4
(3) “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
(4) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

So how do we get the Word of God into our hearts and minds?

Proverbs 7:1-5
(1) My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
(2) Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
(3) Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
(4) Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
(5) That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

Realize that God’s Word is the wisdom you need. And then work to make it a central part of your life. Sitting under good preaching is key, of course. And then personal time in the Word of God under the teaching of the Holy Spirit is a must. Desire wisdom from the Lord. Ask His help to retrain your mind.

Psalm 43
(1) Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
(2) For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
(3) O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
(4) Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
(5) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Others’ words and actions can hurt us, but we don’t have to let them control us. Praise the Lord He has equipped us with His presence and truth that make all the difference!