The Guided Mind and The Guarded Heart

Philippians 4:6-7 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” This is a bible verse that has resonated with me since I started my walk with God. I was watching Steven Furtick today and felt compelled to write about some of his message.

“How many times have we asked God to deliver us from an agreement that we’ve made with the enemy?” Steven Furtick goes on to say that, “we don’t need to come to God asking Him to fix something that we’re not willing to change.” I’ve been a cigarette smoker for over a decade and that statement really resonated with me because I’ve asked God to help me quit smoking but I keep going right back to it. It might be that I’m not ready to quit or I don’t give God’s power enough credit. I can also relate to what Furtick says about having a default disposition of despair and discouragement waking up in the morning. It’s hard to get a positive mindset when all you feel in the morning is sadness and anxiety. And the crazy thing is that it’s over nothing in particular, just the automatic reaction I have when I wake up in the morning. I don’t like feeling that way but I’m glad I’m not the only one.

Furtick says, “There are times when we need to break an agreement with the enemy before we can move on to the promise God has for us. You can’t listen to the enemy or agree to his demands. Before the promise of God can be received, the agreement with the enemy has to be broken.” It might be something easily overlooked or something so obvious that it’s hard to part with but regardless, it has to be broken. Sometimes the enemy comes wearing bows and wrapped in a nice package to throw you off the path God has called you for. It might even be something that you thought was God’s will for you, but come to find out, it makes you feel more miserable than complete. Anything that God calls you to do will make you feel uncomfortable at first, but in the end, will make you feel complete. “If you don’t guard your mind, it’s impossible for God to guide your heart,” says Furtick.

“Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and announced, ‘This is what the Lord says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 1 Kings 20:13. Basically, Ahab was considered the worst king of Israel because of all the heinous things he had done. So, if God did it for Ahab, think about how much more God will deliver you if you are a good person and His child. Furtick says, “you need to involve God in the process. He is the God of unconditional victory. And, in your weakness, He is strong.”

God will deliver you from the agreement you made with the enemy. All you have to do is repent and turn back to the path that God has called you to take. He has called you higher and is willing to give you more than you could ever imagine. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11. Pray about everything and thank God for the good, the bad, and in between, and one day you will get to a goal that you only thought possible in your dreams.