Be Overwhelmed with Jesus – not fear
Ps. 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Normal vs. Supernatural
Anxiety in a global pandemic is normal, simply because anxiety stems from a lack of control. And, here we are. Stuck in our homes, behind our locked doors, wondering when our normal lives will reappear. As the days and hours creep past, the anxiety can tend to grow. Then, sometimes, even before we realize it, we are Overwhelmed.
Overwhelm
It looks like different things to different people. It even looks different on different days or in different moments. Maybe it’s staying in bed all day. Or in your pajamas all day. Maybe it’s the Netflix binging or the junk food binging. Or yelling at these people in our house who haven’t gone anywhere in HOW LONG? Or not seeing anyone else’s face in HOW MANY DAYS?
Today I propose to you that, instead, we allow God to Overwhelm our hearts and minds with His love and goodness and character. Today, I want us to be Overwhelmed BY GOD.
Listen to “Overwhelmed” sung by Big Daddy Weave.
Song writers: Yolanda Yvette Adams, Ryan Kent Bilcher, Rodney L. East, Errol We. Jr. McCalla, Marcus Ecby
(c) Warner Chappell Music Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group
Notice
- Did you notice in the Lyrics – the bridge is a prayer of praise: 2 words to describe God
You are: _______; (then) __________
There is no one more… God, You are the most…
2. Here’s my most basic question: Can anxiety and fear exist where there is praise?
3. Read Ps. 100:4, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!”
Thanksgiving is the key to the Gates of Heaven – like God’s garage door opener. And praise is the key that gives you access to the very courts of the Most High King!
We have the opportunity to access God Himself with the combo of thanksgiving and praise. There is no fear in His shadow.
4. Read Ps. 94:19. What can God provide in our anxious times?
Choices
We get to choose what we will FEED today. Do we feed our FEAR by listening to the news and following social media accounts that constantly spout out numbers and scare tactics? Or do we feed our FAITH by finding daily things to be thankful for and singing/listening to praise songs and spending time with God?
Faith…Fear? Feed one, and the other will starve.
5. Read 2 Cor. 4:8-9. Fill in the blanks.
We are hard-_____, but not _____;
_____, but not in _____;
_____ down, but not _____.
6. Now take all the “but not” answers from above and write down a word that means the opposite. (For example, if it had said “but not withered“-and it didn’t really say that – the opposite of withered = “blossomed”) I’m asking you to do this because it is easier to cling to a positive word than a negative one.
Practical Tips/Challenges
- Reach for Scripture before social media
- Pray for wisdom and peace before watching the news
- Praise! Start with verses from the psalms if you need a running start
- Check your time on electronics vs your time in prayer or Bible study. Which one has your focus?
- Be thankful daily. Add your Gracelets to our Weekly prompt at our Facebook group.
- Reach out to God and to people of faith
- Don’t forget exercise and rest.
Creative prompt: 2 Cor. 10:5
Write down your thoughts that go against the peace we’ve been promised in Scripture. Then take them captive in a creative way. Here’s mine:
I have mouse-like sneaky thoughts that pummel me throughout the day. I have “Who?” questions – Who do I know who will become ill? Some thoughts hang on and linger. Lies wrap around me with fear. My brain hops everywhere, making it hard to focus.
I put 2 Cor. 10:5 beside it, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Then I made a cage for all these wild thoughts. Together God and I will take them captive. All I have to do is claim His promise, and stop feeding the fears.
So, I added a “Please Don’t Feed the Fears” sign, too.
Prayer:
Father God, we praise You. There is no other God but You. There is none more wonderful – more glorious – more beautiful. We are so privileged to enter into Your presence. Overwhelm us, O God, with Your glory and wonder so that our fears are taken captive. Thank You for Your peace in this season of chaos. That You have made us resilient under pressure, hopeful amidst confusion, connected despite the lockdown, and restored when weary. In Christ Jesus’ name. Amen.
In our next lessons, we look at the Power of God. Lesson 3 – Power-FULL