Worst Case Scenario

Have you ever taken a situation in which you spin it to the absolute worse case scenario?

For me, it starts out small. My knee hurts. I don't remember doing anything to it. I have been doing so well with walking every day. Increasing the amount of time I walk. And I am happy to report that Jesus changed my mind! He made me happy to obey!   

Psalm 51:12.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

Wow! I have always hated any form of exercise. That's how I know it was Jesus telling me to start walking. My flesh would never suggest such a thing. I've now been walking for 4 months, and I finally can say I don't hate it!  I put my earbuds in and listen to worship or to the bible.  It is mind blowing what Jesus can do in us when we decide to obey.

Back to my knee. So, it's going on for 4 weeks and it still hurts. Its getting progressively worse. What if I tore something? What if something is broken? Am I going to need surgery?  What if I never stop hurting? What if I will always be in this pain for the rest of my life? What if something bigger is wrong? What if I have a terminal illness in my knee? Ahhhhhhhh!

Spinning to the worse case scenario.

Now I see my kids at the funeral burying me, crying, "If only she would never have started walking!! MAAAAMMMMAAA!"

Can you relate?

For me, the word of God is the only life source that helped me stop spinning thoughts into oblivion.

My go-to verse is 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The short version I use for on the run- " Hold captive every thought to the obedience of Christ." I've said this in my head and sometimes out loud about a hundred times a day.  Sometimes more.

A negative thought comes in my head, and I wield that sword of the Word of God and destroy that ridiculous thought as soon as it pops in my brain. I DO NOT entertain, contemplate, or consider that stupid thought. Every time it comes up, I knock it down with the Word. 

2 Corinthians 10:4-5...pulling down of strongholds...and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. 

Sometimes the only scripture I can remember is 2 Corinthians 10:5. 

Do you know what happens when you continually wield the sword of the Word?  You get stronger.  It builds up the muscle- your brain.  For me, those thoughts have almost all stopped.  I say almost all stopped because I occasionally have the weirdest stupidist thoughts flash through my mind.  But I'm happy to report, they are few and far between.  If I had to venture to guess how often I was having these thoughts, it would be 20-50 times a day on a good day.  Now I'm down to maybe 3-5 times?

The key for me was I had to replace these unreasonable thoughts with the only reasonable information available to us on the earth.  The Word of God.

Psalm 119: 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

It takes diligence and tenacity to set time out for reading the word, meditating on the word, praying about the word. I have flip books with scriptures, I have written scriptures on 4X6 cards that are bound together.  I have scriptures posted on my fridge, my office, and on my computer screen.

This is the only thing that has helped me in the 50 plus years I’ve been playing out worst case scenarios in my head. And it’s only been in the last year that I have finally applied myself to train my brain and guess what? I found that His Word really works!

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

And the time I spent was well beyond worth it.  This habit of replacing crazy thoughts with the Word of God has eliminated nearly all my anxiety.  I may have a moment of anxiety (not hours of anxiety).  For the most part, I am anxious free. 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I am so serious when I say that if I never receive another thing from Jesus and this is all I ever learn?  Then this was well worth it.  Peace of mind far outweighs any other blessing I could ever have been given.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

We live in a sinful world, and our minds must be renewed daily, and for me it's sometimes hourly.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Meditate on the implications of the scripture. Apply it to your daily life one scripture at a time.  You don't need to have memorized 50 scriptures to begin this training.  You need to know the concept. 

Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways.

I have only a handful of scriptures I can actually quote scripture, book, chapter and verse.  The rest are concepts written in my heart. 

Jeremiah 31:33 ...I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

And with the amazing technology we have today, I can just google a few key words and pop!  I have the scripture I need.

And when you are NOT in a constant battle with every thought that comes into your head, you start to have peace.  Quiet in your mind.

Psalm 23:2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.  

You start thinking on things that are lovely, that are good and true. 

Philippins 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Ever had an awful freaky thought?

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary, and often disturbing ideas, images, or impulses that suddenly enter the mind. They are typically distressing, out of character, and contradict a person’s values or desires, often causing anxiety or shame. Common themes include violence, sexuality, or safety fears, though everyone experiences them.-Google 

This is why we should “cast down imaginations”. Intrusive thoughts are “imaginations”. And are not a new thing. They have been happening ever since Adam and Eve decided to take a bite of that apple. 

Romans 8:7 The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.

Thank you Jesus, you have equipped us to handle everything under the sun that happens in our sinful minds!

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit.

Another thing that might help:  Be selective about your social media and tv watching.  If you constantly watch nonsensical media, your thoughts will be consumed with nonsensical ideas. I’m not saying don’t watch TV/social media.  I’m saying be selective.  Be intentional.  Maybe lay off of it for a few days just to allow your mind to pause and reset.  Give it a chance to stop running rampade with crazy thoughts and start sprinting with the living, breathing, Word of God.

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

No entertainment.  Nothing in this world I can watch, read, or mentally consume is worth my peace of mind.  Be intentional with your thoughts and take the time to learn how  to stop spinning worse case scenarios in your mind.  Actively seek peace and you will find it. 

Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 Jesus already paid the price for peace and a sound mind. 

It's time wield the sword He gave you, slay the crazy, and apply these promises to your own mind.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.