“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)
Have you ever experienced a season when each day felt like a struggle in your emotional and thought life? I recently walked through that type of season.
Minor problems seemed like huge obstacles, as I fought against anxiety and sadness. My motivation and energy level hit a low point, especially when it came to writing.
How did I get in this funk? I wasn’t like this a few months ago.
At the start of 2024, I anticipated the year ahead with excitement and positivity. I eagerly joined a one-year memoir writing group, and set the goal of completing a rough draft by January 2025.
But half-way through the year, I realized that the process of writing from the past had stirred up strong emotions. And old patterns of thinking. Negative and condemning thoughts travelled well-worn pathways through my mind.
Did God really call me to write this? Who am I kidding. I am not a good enough writer. No one will want to read this book. It won’t help anyone.
Over time, negative thought patterns spiraled into other areas of my life and produced irritability, anxiety, and sadness. And I was no fun to be around, especially for my husband. Although I was nine months into the writing project, and was getting close to the finish line, I wanted to give up. Maybe if I stopped writing, the thoughts would stop.
At the end of a long week, I retreated to my bedroom to pray, exhausted by the battle in my mind. I opened my Bible to Psalm 139, one of my favorites, and read aloud as my tears hit the pages. I desperately needed a touch from God, to know that He didn’t give up on me.
Shortly after that time of prayer, I decided to go for a walk to help clear my head. As I started out the front door, I nearly tripped over a small box on the welcome mat. I don’t remember ordering anything.
As I cut open the box, I gasped in surprise.
Inside were two copies of Pray a Word for Strength (2024), a Guideposts Devotional book.
I couldn’t believe it. My one-page devotion and prayer, focusing on the word daily, and written over two years earlier, was included in the book.
My writing was published in a book for the first time!
I wrote the devotion after going through a difficult season - training for the New York marathon, while gaining sponsors for children through World Vision.
Many days I felt exhausted and discouraged. I was desperate for God’s strength. How did I make it to the finish line of the marathon?
By relentlessly turning the focus of my mind to God - daily. And God graciously supplied what I needed one day at a time.
God knew the timing of when the book would arrive at my doorstep. And just when I needed it, the words of other writers arrived to encourage me!
He wasn’t condemning me. Instead, He was showing me how to move forward.
To take seriously the thoughts that I think, and to focus- daily – on Truth in His Word.
Maybe you can relate to the struggle with negative thought patterns. Or your emotions seem to be on a roller coaster ride, and you suspect your thoughts plays a part.
Dear friend, let me encourage you today with truth about our thoughts:
God knows our thoughts.
“You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:2)
“But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4)
God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17)
We can take our thoughts captive, and realign them with Truth
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10: 5)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
Loving Father, thank you that your thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Help us to take our thoughts captive, and renew our minds with Goodness and Truth! Amen!
Hey friends! I would love to send a copy of Pray a Word for Strength to five new email subscribers, and five current subscribers that request a copy in the comments or in email!
I give thanks to God for you and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving season!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your courage and honesty! I stumbled across your message today through Proverbs 31. I wanted to know more about you and found your blog and website. Your walk of faith, falling down, and getting back up is an encouragement to me in my trust walk right now. God I’d made perfect in our weakness. That’s what people want to see. That’s what reveals God’s beautiful and perfect love. I needed to read this at this moment. Just like you needed to open your new published writings. I would love a copy if you are still offering.
That is such an encouraging story,Lisa! Our God just knows what we need at any time, doesn't He? Congratulations on being published! I would love of copy of that devotion!❤️
This post was the encouragement and confirmation my soul needed this morning for sure! This week, I’ve been meandering through a battle in my mind where my emotions have been all over the place. Do I do one thing and not the other? Can I really do the thing I set out to do? SIGH…Finally I had to clear my desk, break out a sharpie and sticky note and write out 2 Timothy 1:7,and tape it to my computer. God’s Word is alive and goes to work! Now, this post comes along! I thank God for you sharing this!