Your Strength and Sheild

"I AM your strength and shield.  I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed.  I also provide the strength you need each step of the way.  Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what's on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me.  My Power flows freely into you through our open communication.  Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.  Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield." 1.31.12 Jesus Calling

So I read today's devotion and it made me think about all the walls that I have built up to protect myself.  There's the 'I don't want them to get too close so they can't hurt me' wall, yeah, that crumbled.  Then there's the 'I don't want to let them in because they will judge me' wall, yep, that one's gone too. There's the 'don't step out and speak up and they won't notice you' wall; I've rebuilt that one MANY times!!  Then I think about the times that I looked to God to protect me while I did as He instructed.  Guess what? There was no crumbling, no disappearing and no need to rebuild!  Recently (like just before Christmas!) I had decided to finally stop worrying and give a very heavy problem to God to handle.  It was a problem that was sure to require my having to rebuild, but I just couldn't keep carrying the weight of it any longer. It's amazing to me, after MONTHS of worrying and praying and trying, just 2 DAYS after honestly giving it to Him, the problem was solved and didn't require any effort on my part! The night I gave it to Him I slept the best I had slept in months.  A week after He took over, I took a deep breath!  His protection is stronger and more protective that any wall we can build, any worry we can fall to and any pain that we can endure!  Today's Rainbow? The peace of knowing I am protected in all situations.  Much Love, Me.

Thoughts Can Be Rainbows Too

"Worship ME only.  Whatever occupies your mind the most becomes your god.  Worries, if indulged, develop into idols.  Anxiety gains a life of its own, parasitically infesting your mind.  Break free from this bondage by affirming your trust in Me and refreshing yourself in My presence.  What goes on in your mind is invisible, undetectable to other people.  But I read your thoughts continually, searching for evidence of trust in Me.  I rejoice when your mind turns toward Me.  Guard your thoughts diligently; good thought-choices will keep you close to Me." From "Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence" - a daily devotional.

So, I read this today and something immediately stands out to me, "Anxiety gains a life of its own, parasitically infesting your mind".  Wow. That is very true.  I know when I give in to my anxieties I can't seem to break out of them.  One leads to another and to another, etc.  Like a parasite in my mind.  When this happens, I usually get trapped until the current situation changes and forces me to refocus my attention on the new thing.  The next thing that stands out to me is "what goes on in your mind...searching for evidence of trust..." So, part of anxiety is saying to yourself 'I know they can see, tell, think...' and this statement makes it clear that 'they' have no idea what's really going on in my head. So I can be confident, assured, strong even bold because 'they' have no idea how weak and insecure I really am.  But then, to know that when, in an anxiety blow-out I say 'please God, I need you' He is already there waiting for a glimpse of my trust in Him! That's why the help comes so quickly after that statement.  He was already in my mind and was waiting to see just that little blip of faith.  Today's rainbow comes in knowing if I focus on Him, my parasitic anxiety can be contained.