Are You Dreading Something?

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever. Isaiah 26: 3-4.A few days ago I was facing a situation that I dreaded.  My mind was full of what might go wrong, how I wished I didn’t have to be in that situation and gritting my teeth because I had no choice but to go through with it.Then I remembered. I was full of dread and negative assumptions about what lay ahead because I had not talked to God about the situation. Instead, I was tackling it on my own and letting my imagination rule my thinking and emotions.  I forgot the truth that I’d learned long ago:

What we dwell on has a powerful effect on our mood,

and what we tell ourselves colors our attitude.

If you think negatively, you reap anxiety, fear, and dread. Plus you lose your joy, peace, and confidence in God’s goodness and power.  But if you remember that God is present and able to provide all you need, even in difficult and unwelcome circumstances, your perspective will change.[Tweet "What we dwell on has a powerful effect on our mood."]You can walk into your unwelcome circumstance confidently saying, “God I am yours. I am loved by you. You are with me. I can stand and not crumble. Thank You that You will strengthen me with power through your Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:16)Let me ask you:

• Have you experienced God’s power to change your mood? To take away your negative and fearful thinking?

Can you recall how God worked and that the situation didn’t turn out as you feared? Use your experiences of God to strengthen your faith when scared.

• When has your dread been changed to calm confidence, before you stepped into a difficult situation? What brought about that change? Was it a promise or truth from God’s Word that reminded you He is in control?

Remember, reminisce, and rehearse your experiences of God—they are fuel from the Holy Spirit to set your faith aflame for your present worry.In America, and around the world, people are waiting for the results of the next election for both President and other offices.  Only God knows the outcome.  Whatever it is, we are called to recognize that He has not abandoned His eternal purposes for this world, or this country. This is the time to read Romans 13, to ask for wisdom, and to pray for a heart that is surrendered to God.[Tweet "God not abandoned His eternal purposes for this world, or this country."]If there was ever a time to think about your personal experience of God’s sovereign control, it is now!And if there was ever a time to plant seeds of reconciliation, respect, and unity, it is now!Whatever country you live in, live in a way that brings praise and honor and glory to the One who sits on the throne. (Revelation 5: 13-14) In case you’re wondering how the situation I dreaded turned out, maybe you guessed it. Asking God to change my attitude and focusing on the truth that He would take me through whatever happened, turned my heart around. What I dreaded turned out to be nothing like I had imagined.May this be true for you in the days ahead.Let’s talk: What are you doing with your dread? How are you experiencing God’s peace as you look ahead at a personal or public issue that worries you? Leave a comment below!Join over 20,000 listeners and be encouraged by Poppy’s sharing on Robyn Besemann’s podcast. Follow this link! Robyn writes, “Poppy, Thank you again for joining me on the show.  You were fantastic and I believe that many thousands of listeners will find great hope in what you shared.”  Like Poppy on Facebook and share a comment with her.