Freedom from Stinking Thinking
Most of us wrestle with negative thoughts that seem to set up camp in our minds. You know those old memories, regrets, worries, and all the ways we convince ourselves that things will never change. Sometimes, it feels like no matter what we do, our thoughts run the show and leave us feeling worn out and small.
King David understood this struggle better than most. Imagine being betrayed by your own son, hunted by people who once cheered you on, and forced to hide in caves to stay alive. Yet, even in the darkest moments, David made a choice. He took his eyes off the mess and turned them to God. In Psalm 23, instead of rehearsing every pain and enemy, he quietly said, ""The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Those are not the words of a man in denial. That is someone who has decided to trust the Shepherd more than his fears.
Real change does not come by ignoring reality or pretending everything is fine. David found freedom by filling his mind with who God is and what God promised. The Bible calls this meditation, but it is not just quiet reflection. Picture a cow out in a field, chewing its cud over and over. That is what we are invited to do with Scripture. When we slowly walk through each line of Psalm 23, letting every word sink in, something shifts. We start to see our lives through the eyes of our Shepherd, not the lens of our wounds.
Negative thinking always tries to return our focus to ourselves, our failures, our lack, and our shame. But God keeps calling us to look up and see Him instead. You are not alone if you are worn out from living inside your own head. There comes a point where you say, ""Enough is enough."" I am done letting old lies call the shots. I want God's truth to be the loudest voice in my mind.
Here is what I hope you take away from this episode. Peace does not come by trying harder or talking yourself into a better mood. Peace comes when you slow down long enough to let the Shepherd lead you, even if it is just one small step at a time. Let Psalm 23 be your resting place this week. Let the words remind you that God is caring for you right now, no matter what you feel or face.
If this message brings hope to your heart, share it with someone else who could use it as a reminder of God's kindness. Thank you for listening and walking this road with me. I am grateful you are here, and I am praying that today, God's voice will be louder than all the rest.
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