I’ve been stuck in my head a bit lately. The brain is a funny thing isn’t it? Humans are capable of so much and yet our minds can run wild and out of control without us even realizing it. Years ago I read a book by Joyce Meyer called Battlefield of the Mind. This book is about taking control of your thoughts, taking every thought captive, giving them to God and not letting them take control of you. It’s definitely worth a re-read based on where I’ve been at lately and I highly recommend it.

I spend a decent amount of time by myself. My days are spent walking dogs for hours, and while I am walking, if I don’t choose my thoughts, they take over. I’ve been more conscious of it now that I noticed that I was traveling down a lot of rabbit holes. I try to listen to a podcast or K-LOVE or a playlist on Spotify. Sometimes I’ll start my walk and decide that it’s going to be a prayer walk or a praise walk. But sometimes I don’t do any of those things and this is what I notice; my brain starts spinning the to-do list, the budget, the schedule, the stressors… It spins and spins and spins until I finally notice it, pause, take each thought captive and give the anxiety that has a grip on my chest over to Jesus. This May-cember thing is serious business. Life is just so full right now that it can feel overwhelming, if I let it. But if I give my days to the Lord, I can change my outlook. Instead of getting anxious over my to do list I can praise God that I have such a full and abundant life. Instead of lingering on how tired I am, I can be thankful that I have a bed to sleep in at night.

The other day I was walking one of my dogs and noticed my surroundings, a grassy field with dandelions and pretty little purple flowers. This verse came to mind, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus(Philipians 4:6-7). If my heavenly Father takes care of the birds and the flowers, how much more does he take care of me. Even when I am anxious, he can calm the storm in my heart. My to do list isn’t too big for him. In fact His power is made perfect in my weakness(2 Corinithians 12:9). But I need to trust and have faith. His ways are higher and better and he has a perfect plan. Amen? Amen.