Journal Entry ~ 12/26/18

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

I’ve been meditating on the power of His Word lately. There are so many who struggle with anxious or depressive thoughts this time of year, and my heart aches for the pain they walk through. At a time when we should be celebrating the birth of our King - our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace, far too many are trapped in a pit by their thoughts. It doesn’t have to be this way - there is freedom from the chains that hold you in that pit. As a counselor, I have a front row seat to the pain that exists in this world, and it is heartbreaking. So many people I know who struggle in life, especially this time of year, miss this one simple discipline to protect their hearts and their minds from the enemy’s attacks - getting into the Word of God every single day, without fail. Our verse this week focuses on the power of using scripture to protect the Spirit. 

The moment we accept Christ into our lives, His Spirit comes to dwell within us. The same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead lives inside of us - that always blows my mind when I dwell on it. The Spirit guides us and protects us, it gives us strength and courage, it brings us Peace, it grows our compassion for others, it is the source of our true Joy.  The Spirit quiets our fears and gives us an eternal perspective, keeping our eyes and our focus on the heavenly realm rather than the broken world in front of us. The Spirit hands us the keys to the shackles and lights the path out of the pit. We know from Scripture  that we can do things to quiet His Spirit - we grieve the Spirit when we sin, and we quench the Spirit when we don’t do something He’s prompting us to do. The more we grieve and quench the Spirit, the quieter His voice gets and the more difficult it is to hear Him. 

But how do we protect the Spirit? How do we grow the strength of His voice so we hear Him clearly? By spending time in His Word. There is nothing that will do more for our filling of the Spirit than spending time in God's Word. It will bring clarity of thought and wisdom when we are struggling in a decision, it will bring comfort and healing when we are hurting, it will give us advice when we need counsel, and it will give us strength when we are weak. 

I remember not understanding how people found such delight in reading His Word when I was a younger Christian, but it is no wonder to me now. My day doesn't begin until I have found time to spend in His Word. Period. Without fail. No matter what is going on in my life, or what my day holds, I get into His Word every single day before it begins. I can't imagine dealing with the trials I have walked through without spending time allowing His living Word to fill me. 

At this time of year when we’re pondering what we’ve left behind and the promise of a New Year, make this commitment - open up the Word every single day without fail and allow His Spirit to fill you with the Peace and the Joy He offers to you. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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