We all experience down times. Times when life is underwhelming, difficult, discouraging, and troubling. And it is often in those times we can face seasons of doubt.
- We are working on our marriage but it doesn’t seem to be getting better.
- We try to dig out from our financial hole only to receive an unexpected bill that sets us back further.
- We go to the doctor and hear bad news. We go back to the doctor and hear something worse.
- Our kids are struggling, our family is having a hard time, our plans get dashed, and our hope wanes.
And we can feel down and out. We can feel down with doubt. What does the Bible say about doubt? James 1:6 (ESV)—But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
There is so much in life that can create fear and doubt. But God wants us to exercise faith in Him and win our bout with doubt. One of the key ways to win over doubt is to change our mindset. And we do this by thinking on God’s Word and more specifically, thinking the very thoughts of God. We need to see life as God sees it. He is for us, He loves us, He wants to grow our faith. Do you need to change your mindset and align your thoughts with the thoughts of God?
God’s promises to you:
- I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Heb. 13:5—“…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
- I will meet all your needs…
Phil 4:19—“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
- I will give you strength.
Phil 4:13—“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- I will lead you through.
Is 41:10—“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- I will take you to heaven
John 14:3—“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
- I will comfort you.
Ps 23:4—“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
- I will always love you.
Jer. 31:3—“…I have loved you with an everlasting love…”
Our thinking vs. God’s thinking:
- We say, it’s impossible. God says, all things are possible.
Luke 18:27–Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
- We say, I’m too tired. God says, I will give you rest.
Matt 11:28-30–“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- We say, nobody really loves me. God says, I love you.
John 3:16–For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 13:34–A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
- We say, I can’t go on. God says, My grace is sufficient.
2 Cor. 12:9– But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Ps. 91:15–He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
- We say, I can’t figure out some things. God says, I will direct your steps.
Prov. 3:5, 6– Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
- We say, I can’t do it. God says, you can do all things through Christ.
Phil 4:13– I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
- We say, I am not able. God says, I am able.
2 Cor. 9:8– And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
- We say, it is not worth it. God says, it will be worth it.
Rom. 8:28–And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- We say, I can’t forgive myself. God says, I forgive you.
I John 1:9–If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
- We say, I can’t manage. God says, I will supply all your needs.
Phil 4:19– And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
- We say, I’m afraid. God says, I have not given you a spirit of fear.
2 Tim 1:7–For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
- We say, I’m always worried and frustrated. God says, cast all your cares on Me.
I Peter 5:7–Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
- We say, I don’t have enough faith. God says, I’ve given everyone a measure of faith.
Rom 12:3– For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
- We say, I’m not smart enough. God says, I will give you wisdom.
I Cor. 1:30–It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
- We say, I feel all alone. God says, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Heb. 13:5—“…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
It’s time to change our mindset and align our thoughts with the thoughts of God. He loves you! He is for you! And He wants to build your faith!