December 5, 2017
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“Above all else, guard your
heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
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Proverbs
4:23
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“Above
all else.” That’s a pretty significant
directive! And we are wise to check what resides in that
wellspring of our hearts. Among the many things we find in our hearts,
there will always be one of two very specific things in the lead. Faith or Fear? One will always be
on the top of the heap. They cannot both occupy the same place.
If faith resides in your wellspring, peace will pour out
with confidence in God’s care for you, even in the midst of uncertain
times.
If fear resides there, anxiety and discouragement will
be the natural outward flow. Left unchecked, fear can scatter our faith
like confetti in the wind and leave us anchorless in the storms of life.
Faith over-rides fear. Fear over-rides faith. Many times
a day we choose which one will flow from us. Above all else, guard what
pours from that wellspring. God gives very specific instruction on how to
do this:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Worry is a call to prayer. Your faith and trust in God
will override your fear. His peace will actually put a guard around your
heart and mind so fear cannot overrun you. It’s supernatural and it’s real.
Father God, I confess that fear is often my first
response to challenges that come my way. May I be conscious today of
choosing to trust you with every detail of my life. Help me to have faith
to leave the question marks in your control and to trust you to carry me
and sustain me with your peace that is beyond understanding. Today I choose
to put my trust in you. Fill my heart with child-like faith. I ask in the
strong name of Jesus, amen.
Go Deeper―
This Advent week, consider whether faith or fear is pouring from your
wellspring. Set aside some time to consciously pray the prayer above and
invite God into your concerns in a fresh way. It’s why Jesus came ― to
bring us His peace.
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