| Joshua 24:15. – “And if it evil is in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” |
Today’s text is commonly considered a directive for guiding our actions and in defining our relationship with the LORD. However, recently this verse came to mind while reflecting on family health challenges during my daily quiet time with the LORD. Although I was intending to pray about these concerns, I instead began ruminating and planning for every worst case scenario possible. The more I continued on this trajectory of dark thoughts, the more anxious and hopeless I felt.
The LORD helped me retreat from this dark trajectory when I sensed that He was asking whom I was serving by tumbling into a cascade of worry and fear. He reminded me that continuing on this path would only lead to further entanglement with despair, which ultimately can render me inept in serving Him.
In contrast, serving the LORD can mean choosing to focus on Him and on His goodness instead of on troubling thoughts. This realization helped me untangle from my negative mindset and I began lifting up my concerns in prayer. Since that morning, I have found that pausing and asking myself whom I am serving helps me circumvent the temptation of getting mired in negative thoughts and worry.
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us when we allow concerns and worries to interfere with serving You. Help us remember to redirect our attention fully to You when troubling thoughts are trying to ensnare us. In the Strong Name of Jesus. Amen.
- Phyllis Hooten
