seminars . These tools have their place . But the person in whom the Spirit dwells has the greatest of resources . Turn to him for help . The next time a wave of anxiety begins to roll over you , go immediately to the Spirit in worship .
The Bible contrasts two strategies for facing inner chaos : inebriation and celebration . Many people numb themselves , if not with liquor , with long weeks of work , bouts of shopping , or hours of playing . Anyone who has tried this approach knows its falsehood . Happy hours do not make us happy . We may forget our troubles for a moment , but they are awaiting us as we leave the bar .
The better option ? Celebration . Fill the air with “ psalms , hymns , and spiritual songs ” ( ncv ). Paul used a verb tense that caused one translation to state : “ ever be filled and stimulated with the [ Holy ] Spirit .” 5 Constant worship clears the debris from our hearts . Praise is the cleansing element that flushes the trash of worry and anxiety .
Rather than panic , you can choose to praise . Those devils and their whispering lies ? Stand against them . Those voices with their seeds of doubt and defeat ? Silence them . You outrank Lucifer and his hordes . Your example is that of Jesus Christ .
Those voices with their seeds of doubt and defeat ? Silence them .
When the storm came into his world , what did he do ? “ He . . . rebuked the wind , and said to the sea , ‘ Peace , be still !’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm ” ( Mark 4:39 NKJV ).
When the demon took charge of a man in the synagogue , how did Jesus respond ? “ Jesus rebuked him , saying , ‘ Be quiet , and come out of him !’” ( Mark 1:25 NKJV ).
Do likewise . The Holy Spirit will give you the power ; you just have to use it . When the storm of fear comes , speak against it . When the evil one draws near , rebuke him ! Stand firm against the forces of hell . “ For God has not given us a spirit of fear , but of power and of love and of a sound mind ” ( 2 Tim . 1:7 NKJV ).
The Holy Spirit will give you the power ; you just have to use it .
Let me show you how this works . It ’ s midnight . You ’ ve been trying to get to sleep since ten o ’ clock , but you cannot . You have a big meeting tomorrow . You need some rest . You try the different sleep-inducing strategies : slow breaths , counting sheep , listening to a Lucado sermon , but nothing works . Your mind won ’ t shut off .
You begin to envision worst-case scenarios . You will forget your notes . You ’ ll call your boss by the wrong name . Your thoughts spin around in descending circles , taking you down , down , down until you are in a pit . You pound your pillow , and your heart pounds in your chest . The old version of you might have spent the night staring into the dark . But a new version of you is taking shape . A version
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