Red Wednesday's Wisdom - Renewed

This past Sunday I woke up thinking, “What in the world is the word for this week’s posting?” It had been so clear and obvious to me towards the middle of last week. So why couldn't I remember what the word was? My brain had obviously put it on the back burner because there were other things that needed my attention and priority. But as I got up out of bed, I picked up the Bible that once belonged to my grandmother. It had been lying open, and immediately I saw and read these words from Psalm 90:5-6, “Thou doest sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.” It was one of those moments when you are in awe of God proving that He and His Word are alive and present! God was saying, “Colleen, It’s ok if you don’t remember the word because I do remember. The word that I put on your heart is right here on this open page!” This is such a great example of the personal relationship that goes on between me and God and the relationship that He wants with each and every one of us! The memory lapse did not even last 5 minutes, and it was because I had chosen to go to God’s Word first before doing anything else. And did you notice that the word renewed was reinforced twice in just one sentence? God is the God of simplicity.

As I saw that word renewed in my grandmother’s Bible, it caused my memory to suddenly be renewed as well, and I was able to recall the incidence that took place last week that brought this word renewed to my spirit. It had been a phone conversation with my daughter, who had been under attack by her all too familiar enemy called anxiety. Her son’s reflux had significantly improved over the past 2 months, but now there was an increased incidence. Lauren was battling the anxious thoughts that were related to her son’s history of extreme reflux; 40-60 spit ups a day that ranged from small to massive explosions, continual wiping and scrubbing of people, their clothing, carpets, flooring, and miscellaneous items, three to four changes of clothing for her baby and the person who could be holding him, and ultimately three to four loads of laundry! Just writing about it can send you into a tailspin. Fortunately, Lauren had the discernment to know that the enemy’s first line of attack was on the battlefield of her mind. How did she know this? She knew what she had read over and over in God’s Word in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This version of the Scripture is from the NIV (New International Version). The NLT (New Living Translation) reads like this, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” To renew is to change.

So how did this Scripture help Lauren to battle the anxiety? First of all, it was her acknowledging that she did not want to handle this anxiety the way the world would tell her to handle it, which is to numb or escape the feeling with food, drink, drugs, shopping, or whatever the “fix” might be. So often we behave as though these are the cure alls but they aren't. They are simply temporary fixes. The cure all comes in asking God to change our thinking so that God’s thoughts actually become our thoughts, which directly influence our emotions so that they too can be renewed. Lauren also had to ask God to help her not dwell on the past, but to speak truth to what she knew right now, that she and her son are in God’s hands, and He is the Healer who heals his reflux and her anxiety now. It sounds too simple, but that is the simplicity of God when He is in charge of your thought life. Anxiety certainly is not simple, in fact, it is very complex and it will bring you down. Having the mind set of God lifts you up!

I am thankful that God used Psalm 90:5-6 to help me see that the word for this posting was renewed. But I also have to ask myself this question: What was this specific Scripture telling me in light of this word renewed? It tells me man can be compared to the dreams that we dream, or the sleep that we long for, they both will vanish. Like the grass that grows under our feet but withers and dies, so shall we. Our life spans are short, but there are also opportunities for renewal. When I looked up the definition of renew it means to make new, fresh, or strong again. Our life time on this earth is short, and to live it with anxiety is to shorten it even more. If you have a tendency to become anxious, then know that I am interceding on your behalf. I am asking God to help you in this battle by renewing your thinking. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then I am asking God to renew your thoughts about who He is so you can see how your life will be forever renewed through Him!