Finding Strength in the Word: When the World is Falling Apart

Hey Friend!

Have you ever driven through a part of your city and felt completely overwhelmed by the destruction and devastation and how dark the world is? Instead of spending time in the Word, have you accidentally read the news online or watched it on your phone or on YouTube and felt this crushing pressure in your heart and spirit? It seems no matter how good the world is, evil won’t go away.

Do you look around at all the things happening politically, the things happening in our schools, and all of the awful things that we are faced with and feel like the world is falling apart? I heard somebody recently call it a dumpster fire. That’s where we’re at, friends.

Today I want to sit with you and reflect for a moment on the world we live in. We are women and men in Christ and His kingdom. We experience heaven on earth. In general, I think our mindsets are much more healthy and positive because we are partnered with God. But we still can’t help and look around and realize what we’re up against. Frankly, it can be a little bit scary and overwhelming.

I want us all to find strength in the Word. Let’s look at what the Bible says about our feelings, emotions, and honestly, the reality we’re faced with right now.

7-Step Spiritual Battle Plan in the Word

Do you need help with a battle you’re going through, a stronghold that you’re dealing with, or even spiritual warfare you’re facing? Did you know I have a free 7-Step Spiritual Battle Plan that the Lord showed me as I was walking through one of my own struggles?

It is based on Psalm 18. This plan will help you not only battle but be victorious. God laid this plan out in the word for David and I believe it is a framework for us to walk through as well today. Go to my website and download it for free.

In the Word, God Gives Us Everything We Need

As we navigate this space of online business, we know there are a lot of trials. Not only are we faced with obstacles and challenges inside our businesses, but we have the world to contend with, too.

We have fears about raising our children in a fallen world and stewarding a healthy marriage when Biblical marriages are in the minority. The stress and pressure of it all. It feels like a lot, right? I’m here to remind you in the Word God gives us everything we need. God may not give us every answer, because we don’t need every answer. What we need is trust.

We can look in the Word to find strength, refuge, and peace amidst the chaos that we are living in right now.

Be Still, and Know That I Am God.

As daughters of the King, we don’t have to carry or fix it all. But what we can do is turn to the One who can. Let’s begin in the Word in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.“ This simple sentence is short and powerful. When we are constantly bombarded with negativity, it reminds us to be intentional and pause. We need to pause our:

• Swirling Thoughts
• Obsessive Mind
• Busyness
• Worry
• Anxiety
• Overthinking

Pausing all of those things helps us to focus in the Word and be still. We should recognize the presence of God in everything, even in the mess we’re dealing with and even the questions we have about the world. This world is insanely, overwhelming. But when we find stillness inside the chaos, we’re reminded of our strength in Christ. When we know that He is God, we rest easy. We know that He will make a way. He will take care of it for us. We are already victorious. This war has already been won.

I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.

The next verse in the Word I want to share with you is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse is a staple on my podcast. It’s an incredible reminder of the power that we have in Christ. So often we shrink back from our power. Having Holy Spirit inside of us equips us. It anoints us. I don’t believe that we’re fully stepping into that.

This verse reminds us that we can do all things through Christ. So when we’re frustrated and feel like the world is working against us, we can lean on Him for:

• Guidance
• Strength
• Confidence
• Anointing

Even when it seems like life is crumbling around us, we can do anything through Christ’s strength. We are strong in Him.

God Has Given Us a Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m feeling fearful or uncertain, it totally takes me out. It’s all I can think about. It’s all I can focus on and it distracts me from being present.

It steals my peace. It’s not a healthy space to be in. There’s a lot going on in the world that seems to plant fear and uncertainty right now.

Notice in the Word what Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, ”For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.” We aren’t given a spirit of fear but rather we are given a spirit of:

• Power
• Love
• Self-discipline

Even in these difficult and uncertain times, we can move forward with courage. We can lean on God’s strength. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be disciplined and deal with hard situations.

Self-Discipline Links Back to Psalm 46:10, “Be Still.”

It takes discipline to be still and to stop freaking out. When the C word was at its big, crazy, rampant stage and everybody was freaking out, I’m not proud to admit I was totally in the rabbit hole. I was thinking we need to:

• Store up food
• Start our own garden
• Get water
• Figure all this stuff out

I was buying so much weird stuff off of Amazon. It was crazy! I was not living in self-discipline. I was allowing the fear, uncertainty, and anxiety of the unknown to completely control my actions. Instead of leaning into a spirit of self-discipline, I was leaning into a spirit of fear.

Who gives us a spirit of fear? Who are we allowing to lead us when we lean into fear? I’m unavailable for that and I’m not going to do it. Fear is natural. It’s okay. But let’s capture fear and exchange it for power, love, and self-discipline.

In the Word It Says, Don’t Be Afraid, for I Am With You.

The discipline of the mind is one of the most critical things that we need to work on right now so that we can continue to trust God and let Him lead us. Let’s look in the Word again. This time in Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” This verse is such a beautiful reminder that we are never alone.

As we sit in seasons of uncertainty, the reason we’re afraid is we feel alone. We don’t know what will happen:

• Will our safety be in jeopardy?
• Will we be able to feed our kids?
• Will we be able to make an income?
• What will happen?

All these thoughts and what-ifs come up in our minds. We often forget that God is with us. Therefore we don’t need to worry and we don’t need to act as if we are alone in this. God is with us, and not only that, but He already knows what we’re walking through. He knows what’s going to happen tomorrow and He knows the outcome for us. He loves us so much.

God is so good! That’s one thing we know without a doubt. God is always good. Trust in that. Let’s lean on this verse to remind us that He is here to strengthen and help you and me.

In the Word, We Have Peace of Mind and Heart.

The last verse I want to share in the Word with you is John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind, and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

This verse is a promise of the peace that we find in Jesus Christ. The world is full of endless troubles, fears, and problems, but we can find peace in Him. A peace the world can’t take, a peace the world can’t touch.

When everything else seems to be falling apart, this verse gives us hope and helps us keep our eyes focused on what actually matters. We can be steadfast in peace of mind and heart through Him.

My Prayer for You and Me

I pray, Lord, that You would give us a refreshing of our spirit right now, a renewed hope, and excitement about the future. No matter what happens, Lord, I pray we would be steadfast with our eyes fixed on You, looking up at the glory and blessing that is before us in the kingdom.

I pray You would use us:

• To grow Your kingdom
• To bring people to Christ
• To evangelize
• To share
• To teach
• To shepherd
• To steward

Lord, I pray we would be a vessel for the Almighty while we are here. I pray that we would have peace and purpose each and every day:

• That worry would wash away
• That anxiety would be cured and cleansed in the name of Jesus
• That depression would lift Father
• That healing would happen
• That restoration and redemption would be made so prevalent in each of our lives

As we continue to march forward through this fallen world, I pray that we would:

• Lean on You
• Trust in You
• Look to You
• Have complete and utter faith that You are going to get us through to the other side.

I pray for courage, confidence, and strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen

I pray this blesses you!

Xo,

Stef

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCAST

Before you go, be sure to watch the free workshop!

This free workshop is for you if you want to grow an online business in less time.

It will teach you how to explode your audience without the social media hustle, make consistent sales using a podcast, and plan, record, and launch a podcast with ease!

RELATED EPISODES:

How to Find Eternal Purpose & Glorify God in Your Daily Work with Jordan Raynor

Do It Scared: Biblically Overcome Your Fear of Failure

The Formula to Experience God’s Rest and Peace as a Busy Working Mom

Behind The Business – MINDSET – That Time I Wanted to Quit & How a Holy Spirit-Led Mindset Made The Difference

Want to Grow Spiritually as a Woman of Faith, Mom and Business Owner? *EPISODE ROUNDUP*

Join our Facebook Community!

Online Business for Christian Women with Stefanie Gass