Happy Sabbath friends! Something I have always struggled with would be overthinking. My mind is constantly looking for reasons to worry as a way to protect myself from getting hurt, and it can lead to me building up a wall to others, and even Jesus. Isn’t that Satan’s goal? To tear us further away from our Heavenly Father? Satan loves whenever we are in our heads, and not in the Word of God. He knows that the more time we spend in our minds, and not with the Holy Spirit, that we will only drift further away from our Heavenly Father.

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV

When we are in our head about various situations that take place in our lives instead of going to our Heavenly Father, just as Eve was deceived…we will also be deceived. This is a universal problem, especially for children of God…so much so that even Jesus was tempted.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
Matthew 4:1-11 NIV

Jesus was found in His weakest moment as He just fasted forty days and forty nights. Satan found this to be the perfect opportunity to cast doubt upon Jesus. If Satan could get Jesus, the Son of God, to doubt…then what could possibly stop Satan? The scripture about Jesus being tested in the wilderness is such an important lesson that I recommend we all take a moment to reflect on…Jesus could have believed the lies of Satan and turned away from the Lord, but instead, He used the Word of God as His defense. Shouldn’t we do the same when our minds are filled with doubt, worry, fear, etc.?

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV

It is easier said than done to resist the thoughts Satan tries to put in our heads, but we can rest in the truth that there are countless pieces of scripture in the Word of God stating how our Heavenly Father will never leave us, nor forsake us. In moments when we are being tempted by Satan, or when our minds are being flooded with lies, we can remember that our strength comes from the Lord our God who is forever with us.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalms 73:26 NIV

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

As I previously stated, overthinking is something I have always struggled with, and I still do. In the past, as soon as overthinking would consume my mind, I would fall into a state of anxiety, and sometimes even depression. I would allow the temptations, doubts, fears, etc. completely consume my mind to the point that I believed them. Ever since I reunited with our Heavenly Father, I have been creating a habit that as soon as the overthinking occurs, to immediately bring it to the Lord. It doesn’t matter where I am, who I’m with, or what I am doing…I will surrender my thoughts to the Lord because I know I am too weak to handle them on my own. What is so amazing is the fact that our Heavenly Father has been there for me time and time again. It doesn’t matter how many times I have been filled with negative thoughts…nothing is too much for our God.

““Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4 NIV

I will forever be grateful for our Heavenly Father because of the time, love, and protection He holds for us. When the world has left me to handle my dark times on my own, Jesus has shown up time and time again…shining a light in my life to help guide me out. There has been multiple times when I have reached out to people in my life seeking for help when I am consumed by overthinking thoughts, and it has ended with it being too much for them. If you have ever felt this way, please know you are not alone. I hope this message brings you comfort to the fact that when others may not be there for you, that the Lord will always be with a loving heart, and listening ear ready to take on whatever you may be facing. Nothing is too much for our God, and He craves those intimate moments with you. You can feel safe in His presence and pour your heart and soul into Him, and it will never be too much for Him. Isn’t that such a blessing that we have such a loving Savior who desires to hear the good, bad, pretty, and ugly moments in our lives?

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalms 62:8 NIV

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
Psalms 91:1-2 NIV

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;”
Psalms 34:17-19 NIV

I pray over all who are reading this message that they may be filled with the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. I pray over all that when we are faced with moments of overthinking, and/or being tempted by Satan, that we choose to turn to You, and Your Word instead of allowing Satan to tear us away from You, Lord Jesus. Help us to remember the best protection we can have is by having Your Word, Your truth, and Your light constantly being in our hearts and minds. We may have moments when we find ourselves in our head, but I pray that You fill us with the strength, peace, and guidance to lead us towards You instead.

Amen.