Don’t You Dare Self-Destruct

Scripture:

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) “6 Be anxious for NOTHING, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 6:8 (NKJV) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Ephesians 4:29, 31-32 (NKJV) 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [h]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [i]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 16:27 (NKJV) 27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.

Devotion

A few weeks ago, I viewed a video that someone shared on social media. It was entitled “It Is Well”, but as the clip began, I realized it was about a fourteen- minute clip of Bishop T. D. Jakes and he was speaking of “When Anxiety Attacks”. As I listened to that clip I realized that this spoke to so many areas in myself, but it also mirrored what many are facing in this peculiar year we find ourselves in. It provoked me to pray and seek God and it encouraged me. I would later share this clip periodically with others I felt would be blessed with it. Subsequently, I would receive messages stating how the message in the clip was right on time. As the weeks progressed, I found myself listening to the clip as I prayed for several mornings. One day as I was praying about so many things, I realized that I was trying to pray anxiety and negative thoughts of myself. It was me standing in the need of prayer. As the myriad of thoughts tried to overtake me, it hit me like a ton of bricks, DON’T YOU DARE SELF-DESTRUCT!

This year we all have had time we did not have before to just be still and think. Many of us have gone from working at building to working in the comforts of our homes. While many might view this as a blessing, many have struggled with their thoughts. Many have been forced to face many things that the busyness of life shielded them from. However, it is said that an “idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. As I’ve listened to many people, coupled with thinking too much comes anxiety and the “what ifs” thought. Then we find ourselves self-destructing in our thoughts and fighting to get past what our present circumstances are telling us. We find ourselves fighting the thoughts of what we have been through in the past. We even find ourselves wrestling with the things that the enemy is beating us down with. It can all be so overwhelming until God reminds us of His truths. When we start remembering His words, the enemy’s lies cannot cohabitate with God’s truths.

Knowing God’s promises is so important when you find yourself self-destructing because it seems as if what the enemy wants you to believe may have some truth to it. For instance, the enemy wants you to believe that you are nothing and will never be nothing. Nevertheless, God’s word says “And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath…” (Deuteronomy 28:13). In this moment the Lord will also remind you that you are more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37) One thing is sure, the enemy has already lost and there is no saving him or chances that he will be readmitted into heaven. So, he makes it his occupation to harass the children of God, but counteracting his deceptions with the sure word of God delivers us!

Prayer

Dear Lord,

It has been a year of reflection, wins, losses, ups, and down, but You have been with me through it all. When my heart was overwhelmed, I cried out to you. When I was engulfed in my thoughts your love and your promises lifted me and I am forever grateful. Lord, I ask that you continue to watch over me and cover my mind. God, help me not to self-destruct and talk myself out of all that You have for me because my season doesn’t look like what you’ve shown me for my life. Help me to trust you even when I am unable to fully comprehend how it will all come together. God uproot anxiety and pessimistic thoughts that try to blind me from Your promises concerning me. Build me up when the enemy is the “inner me”. Lord don’t let me self-destruct and miss what you have for me if I just hold on. I love you Lord!

Amen