You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3
Chronic illness is hard. It’s isolating and draining. At times, my circumstances overwhelm me, and I cry… a lot. I recently remembered this post and printed it out again to keep my focus on the truth. It helps the tears to slow. I’m reposting it now with the hope that it will help someone else as well.
A pdf version of the original post is provided at the end of the post for anyone desiring a printed version.
- God is sovereign and in control. (Job 42:2, Matthew 19:26, Isaiah 43:13, Romans 9:19-21)
- He has preordained all of my days. (Psalm 139:16, Acts 4:28, Ephesians 2:10, Job 14:5)
- He sees and knows what is going on right now and has allowed it for a reason. He has a plan for me. (Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 29:11)
- He is wise and knows how all of this will fit into the big picture. He has me right where He wants me to be. (Romans 8:28, Colossians 1:16-17)
- He is with me. (Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 23, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20, Joshua 1:9)
- He cares about what is happening, and He loves me. (Isaiah 54:10, Romans 8:38-39, Matthew 10:29-31)
- He will hold onto me. (John 6:39, Isaiah 41:10)
- He will provide help each day. (Lamentations 3:22-23, Matthew 6:26-33, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 23)
- He will provide strength for me to endure this and hold onto my faith to the end. (Ephesians 6:10-12, Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10, John 16:33, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 91:1-2, Philippians 4:13, Habakkuk 3:17-19)
- Even though this doesn’t feel good right now, God is working good in it. (Romans 8:28)
- I am saved, not in hell where I deserve to be. Anything this side of that is pure grace; I have blessings. (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)
- There will come a day when all the pain, tears, and sin will be gone. (Revelation 21:3-4)
- It is a short time until then. I don’t have to have what I want now; I can wait. (Hebrews 10:37, John 16:16, 1 Peter 1:6-9)
- THEREFORE – I can trust Him and not be afraid. (Psalm 56, Psalm 91, Philippians 4:6-7, John 14:27, Psalm 94:19, Isaiah 43:1, Psalm 23:4, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:13-14, Psalm 46:1)
Dwelling on these truths when I am discouraged or distressed may feel mechanical at first. However, the Holy Spirit uses them to remind me that God knows what He is doing, loves me, and is trustworthy. I can rest as a weaned child does with his mother (Psalm 131) because the God of peace is with me.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
pdf version of this post (12 pt. font): Dwell on What is True
pdf version of this post (16 pt. font): Dwell on What is True (Large Print)