By Jamie Tisler

I had been unsettled, upset, uptight, and in an uproar. “What is going on?” I asked myself. Then I came across a proverb Martin Luther quoted, “You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair.” I realized I had been allowing frazzling thoughts to build a nest in my mind.

The next question that I asked myself was “What am I going to do about it?” Knowing this “nest” was preventing me from experiencing joy and peace. I sought the counsel of Scripture. The Apostle Paul. had the solution, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). Paul said if I would only practice this type of thinking, the peace of God would be with me. Joy always accompanies peace.

It would be wonderful if I never encounter frazzling thoughts again, but that is unlikely, because I do not battle flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of darkness (see Ephesians 6:12) . An encouraging verse that is linked to this battle is 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” This passage tells me that, as a believer, I have access to God-designed powerful weapons (see Ephesians 6:11-17). It is my choice to employ these weapons in order to take captive frazzling thoughts the next time they approach. In the meantime, I need to be constantly “renewing my mind” (Romans 12:2) by saturating it with God’s word and allowing the Holy Spirit to strengthen my mind for the battle when it comes.

Father God, thank you that I do not have to fight the thoughts that assail me alone, for you have provided the battle plan to defeat them. Please help me remember what to do when frazzling thoughts threaten my joy; in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Yes to God’s Word,

Jamie