Dwelling on the Promise
THOUGHTS ON COVID-19
As I was driving to get dinner tonight, take-out of course, I heard a radio ad that began with, “I know you’re afraid. I know these are tough times…” and I thought about how nearly every email, TV, and social media write-up is beginning with a similar statement right now. These statements, such as “we are living in unprecedented times” or “due to the novel COVID-19,” have become the norm for opening lines lately. Then, in the course of a few seconds, this radio ad caused me to realize that what we dwell on really does matter.
The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 TPT, “For as he thinks within himself, so is he.” This verse teaches us that our life moves in the direction of our most dominant thoughts. In other words, what we dwell on determines what we become.
In times of global pandemic, it is certainly important to stay up-to-date with the news and take practical steps that stop the spread of disease. Yet, while we are using practical wisdom, let’s not neglect spiritual power. It is easy to get wrapped up in the whirlwind of new information occurring daily and not realize that the underlying message we are hearing over and over is likely causing us to dwell on the problem instead of the promise.
If we dwell on how tough the times are, they will continue to be tough. If we dwell on all of the reasons to be afraid right now, we will continue to be afraid. But if we begin to dwell on God’s promises, then like Proverbs 23:7, we are thinking within ourselves something we actually want to become, and our lives will move in that direction.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am by no means neglecting the reality of what is happening in our world today, and I have immense compassion for everyone directly affected by this disease (both physically and financially), including our healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line every day. I am simply communicating that we need to guard against dwelling on the problem which will cause us to lose sight of the promise.
I encourage you to read Psalm 91 from various translations. In fact, that psalm begins with, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Did you catch that? Dwelling determines where we live (abide)!
Regardless of what your worry is, it’s not worth dwelling on. We serve a God who is greater, a God who is healer, and a God who is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Dwell on His promises today!
As I was driving to get dinner tonight, take-out of course, I heard a radio ad that began with, “I know you’re afraid. I know these are tough times…” and I thought about how nearly every email, TV, and social media write-up is beginning with a similar statement right now. These statements, such as “we are living in unprecedented times” or “due to the novel COVID-19,” have become the norm for opening lines lately. Then, in the course of a few seconds, this radio ad caused me to realize that what we dwell on really does matter.
The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 TPT, “For as he thinks within himself, so is he.” This verse teaches us that our life moves in the direction of our most dominant thoughts. In other words, what we dwell on determines what we become.
In times of global pandemic, it is certainly important to stay up-to-date with the news and take practical steps that stop the spread of disease. Yet, while we are using practical wisdom, let’s not neglect spiritual power. It is easy to get wrapped up in the whirlwind of new information occurring daily and not realize that the underlying message we are hearing over and over is likely causing us to dwell on the problem instead of the promise.
If we dwell on how tough the times are, they will continue to be tough. If we dwell on all of the reasons to be afraid right now, we will continue to be afraid. But if we begin to dwell on God’s promises, then like Proverbs 23:7, we are thinking within ourselves something we actually want to become, and our lives will move in that direction.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am by no means neglecting the reality of what is happening in our world today, and I have immense compassion for everyone directly affected by this disease (both physically and financially), including our healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line every day. I am simply communicating that we need to guard against dwelling on the problem which will cause us to lose sight of the promise.
I encourage you to read Psalm 91 from various translations. In fact, that psalm begins with, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Did you catch that? Dwelling determines where we live (abide)!
Regardless of what your worry is, it’s not worth dwelling on. We serve a God who is greater, a God who is healer, and a God who is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Dwell on His promises today!
Posted in Faith