In this week’s episode of Overflow, we learn about putting a dagger in the heart of worry.
Louie says, “In the previous chapter, we looked at how the perfect love of God drives out fear and leads us to surrender our idea of control, which then leads us to worship rather than worry.”
Do you see the shift there?
We shift our focus from worry to the love of God, surrendering the idea of control.
“The more we discover about the love of God, the more we’re wanting and willing to surrender, and the more worship we give to Him.” -Louie Giglio
Putting a Dagger in the Heart of Worry
How do we drive a dagger through the heart of worry?
We exercise control over our thoughts. We change the way we think.
Louie says, “We think about different things than the things that are causing us to worry.” He goes on to say, “Controlling and then changing what you think about isn’t easy. But that doesn’t mean that the solution can’t be this simple.”
You might think, “Craig, if it were that simple, I would have done it already.”
I understand. Just stick with me here.
What does this look like practically?
- Recognize & Ask
- Put it through a Godly filter.
Recognize & Ask
Learning to take your thoughts captive is not something you pick up all at once. The first step is to recognize your thoughts and ask, “Where did that thought come from?”
When you do this, you will get one of two answers:
- It came from God
- It came from somewhere else.
How do we know if it comes from God? You put it through a Godly filter.
Put it through a Godly filter.
Start with Philippians 4:8:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
If that’s not enough, look at Galatians 5:22-23:
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Ask Yourself:
“Does the thought line up with that which is loving, joyous, peaceful, or patient? If the answer is yes, keep that thought. If the answer is no, it doesn’t line up, then you know it’s time for a replacement.”
I know this process will be challenging. Check out what Louie says next. 👇
“Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become competent (2 Corinthians 3:4-5) to carry out all the good works that God has created for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).”
Remember
You won’t drive the dagger of God’s perfect love through the heart of worry unless you realize that through Christ, you have the power to do all things. Through Christ, you are a resurrected, new creation, no longer under the power of this world and its ways. You are free and perfectly loved, and as such, you can take back your mind, eliminating worry and accepting the easy and light yoke of your good and gracious Savior.
Reflection
- Take a few minutes to write down any thoughts that are worrying you right now. Below each thought, write out a truth about God you can use to refute and replace that thought of worry.
- What inputs are constantly pushing thoughts of worry into your heart? Are there any streams you need to cut off if you are going to get serious about tearing down the house that worry built?
