“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:19
I believe deep down in my core that most of us are using only a fraction of the power available to us by the living God. I’ve thought about this so much lately and I just can’t help but feel like the way we go about our days, the way we think, the way we approach the world every day is so far below what could be. I believe there’s so much more we could experience emotionally if we had the power to understood just how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is for us. (Ephesians 3:18)
My natural tendency is to be much more negative than I’d like to admit. I’m more prone to expect the worst, instead of anticipating the best. I’m naturally very critical of myself. Worry-prone. I can be easily bothered by trivial things like the weather. This year in particular has been a battle with the enemy for my mind. Maybe you can relate. But I know that’s not the way God wants me to live, so I’ve worked really hard to change my mindset over the last several months. And lately I’ve been using power statements based in scripture as a tool to correct my thinking.
Have you ever noticed how the Psalms are filled with power statements? This book in the center of the Bible is quite literally overflowing with one-liners that will knock your socks off, fill you with authority, and light a fire in your soul:
I know the Lord is always with me, I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. Psalm 16:8
I sing for joy in the shadow of God’s protecting wings. Psalm 63:7
God is my rock and my salvation. Psalm 62:6
My heart overflows with beautiful thoughts. Psalm 45:1
But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. Psalm 55:16
Through each day, the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me. Psalm 42:8
You have armed me with strength for the battle. Psalm 18:39
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. Psalm 18:29
The Lord is my Shepard; I have everything I need. Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in Him with all my heart. Psalm 28:7
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings, until this violent storm is past. Psalm 57:1
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? Psalm 56: 11
Notice the authority and confidence in these words?! There are literally hundreds of these powerful statements throughout the Psalms and the entire Bible–ready to be used. These words are gifts of truth written for you and me and they can transform our mindset. Jesus himself even quotes Psalms several times in the gospels, so why shouldn’t we be declaring these things for ourselves and using them every day?
Our subconscious mind pays attention to what we say and think, which means replacing our negative thoughts with these verses can literally transform our minds. If we believe with 100% confidence in the truth of verses like Psalm 16:8 and Psalm 28:7, I know we can experience an entirely new way of living, thinking, and going throughout each day. And that’s what I want more than anything–I want to experience all the peace, strength, and joy that comes from the Lord. I want to be immune to discouragement, fear, anxiety, dread, worry, depression, negativity, comparison, etc.
I want to thrive. I want to be powerful and confidently walk in my true identity from Christ. I want the Holy Spirit to fill every corner of my thought life. And even when life is hard and struggles come, I desperately want to live at a new level with the Lord. I want to think about things in an entirely new way. That’s what I’m fighting for and I believe it’s possible for us all if we let these powerful words from scripture grow like little seeds planted in our minds and hearts.
Renewing our minds isn’t easy, but it’s possible. And scripture is the only manual we need to get it done. I encourage you to find your own power statements in the Bible and meditate on them as often as possible. What you say to yourself matters, so repeat these truths to yourself throughout your day, before falling asleep, and when you wake up. This has been very helpful to me lately and I know it will empower you too! xo
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Godās will isāhis good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.”
Ephesians 3: 16
Sarah, I,too, struggle with negative thoughts and expecting the worst. Iām 62 years old and a Bible believing Christian. God has brought my husband and I through so many things(near death experience when I was 31 yrs old)in our 43 years of marriage. It would take a very long time to list all of the ways the Lord has intervened for us. Iām going through a serious health issue and I would sure appreciate your prayers. I know that the Lord has this and Satan just wants me to worry. Thank you so very much!
Thank You
We all struggle with something believing in the Lord gives us the power to move on and help others
What an amazing post! Thank you. I hope you have an awesome week!
I do the same. I have this on a card taped all over the house.
āFix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Put into practice all you have learned & received from me. Then the God of peace will be with youā.
Philippians 4:8-9
Wow…I truly needed that. Thank you so much for just being who you are.
For admitting your faults and sharing what helps you and to feel that it might help someone else…like me. God Bless you and your works.
I thought that was beautiful. It made me think, about the things I should be thinking about. Not the every day grind. What we are put here on this earth for.
ThankYou Sarah for the remarkable. ā¤ļø
Thank you for reminding me of the power of the Word, and that He is always with us. Reading these positive passages was what I needed today as my heart aches for the lives lost in Israel.
You are 100% right on! This is what God intended for us – to live and walk in the spirit daily .Renewing our minds and being VERY careful of what we say is so true and if it were not possible He would have never told us to do it . This is a much needed message – thank you for your boldness in speaking truth .
Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing these wonderful devotionals. I am always inspired and encouraged by your words and seeing you grow in your faith in the Lord! I am going to write bible verses on cards and place them around my home to remind to look to God more often throughout my day! God bless you and your sweet family xx
Check out book of Proverbs also. You might also try writing power statements on index cards and tape to bathroom mirror or put in frame on bedside table or in your purse or wallet, in car console between seat etc places you often look.
Such a good and encouraging devotional Sarah.. I look forward to reading your devotions, they inspire me and bring me peace and during these difficult times in life that we all go through, especially now. I feel a heaviness in my heart, BUT I have a peace knowing God is in control. Xo
This is so beautifully said. I needed this today!! I did a series recently that takes you through the book of Psalms and it was so incredible. I love the idea of having a power statement to meditate on. Iām definitely going to start that!
Thank you for this / much needed! I am just starting to read the Bible. I find myself being negative and I worry constantly. I feel like these are the end times, itās exciting and Iām a bit scared.
Thank you for this reminder
Iām guilty of being so fearful and thinking the worst. I want to remember your encouraging words
Sarah- Thank you so much for this devotional. It reinforces what I have been doing – changing my negative thoughts. I to Iām a worrier and suffer from anxiety. At 57 it is time for me to start living the life God wants me to live. Keep doing what youāre doing – youāre helping others turn to God for help and that pleases him very much.
Keep these awesome/honest/truth fueled devotions coming! You have a gift! Thank you for sharing this God-given gift with us!
Laura
This was a GREAT read! Really enjoying your posts. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a great week!
So good! Everyone of your devotionals so far have been SO relatable. Thank you for being so real and honest.
Beautifully writtenā¦.. thank you Sarah for sharing your thoughts & struggles & triumphsā¦.
Our fear can be overcome by trusting in the Lord our Godā¦.
Thank you for sending this messageā¦.something I truly needed to hear and claim for myselfā¦..
God bless you & your familyā¤ļø
Thank you, Sarah for your inspiring thoughts. I just discovered your blog and look forward to your decorating ideas and special devotions. I lost my husband two years ago and made a major move to be closer to my daughters. Loneliness overwhelms me many times. Iām not sure what plans God has for me but I know he is taking care of me, and I have to trust his will for my life.
Your Devotionals and your ability to put thoughts into words is quite a gift. I literally had a similar conversation with a dear friend right before I opened your devotional. You seem to be inside my head and bring my thoughts to life. I canāt thank you enough for doing this every week. You give me pause, strength, ideas and most of all help me feel like I can do hard things in this crazy world/life. I am a worrier and world events fill me with dread, I overthink everything and need to get out of my own way. You give me tools to do that.
Thank you Sarahā¦ā¦ā¦Julie Healy ā¤ļøšš»ā¤ļø
Love this so much. Thank you and hope the rest of your week is blessed:)
Amenšš» so good to hearā„ļø
Thank you, I needed to read this this morning.
Thank you for this.
This is so good! So many need to hear this, thank you for being obedient! It takes courage to put this out there and I believe God is raising you up for such a time as this:)
Wow! My husband spoke this past Sunday on the power of our words. I loved your devotion and I truly believe there is so much power in our words and in the word. We are to encourage others and find encouragement for ourselves in the Bible! This is what God is speaking right now. He is so good!
Sarah!!! This was SO good! Thank you for sharing your heart. You truly have a gift with your writing and your words are so encouraging. Such a great way to start the day! Be well & take care!
thank you Erin, I appreciate that so much!
Thank you for sharing the truth of Gods word Sarah! The bible says Life and death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit. I want to bear good fruit in my thoughts and my words and this scripture is a much needed reminder of that! I love reading the psalms. I listen to it every night before bed. Its a lifeline forsure. Have a blessed week and thanks for sharing words of wisdom!
Beautifully stated! Praise the Lord!
Love love love these devotionalsā¤ļø I feel as you do about changing mindset to think positive thoughts. Thank you again for all you do bringing Gods word to othersšš»šš»
Wowww, your timing is perfect. And… So is his for giving you the words to express it to us.
Struggling with health issues and finding the words to pray with to battle the mental struggles that come with this.
Thank you for your kind thoughts and sharing to help others.
Kathy
I absolutely love that you are doing this! I am 62yrs.and my mind has been in the same set as yours for so many personal and world reasons. I personally have been through so many trials lately with myself and my family. I have prayed about a couple of really important issues and found out yesterday that I didnāt need to be worried for the last 2yrs. Because God took care of one yesterday in such an unexpected and beautiful way. We need to try our hardest to be joyful no matter what! Gods got this!! It might not be how we thought He would respond but He knows whatās best for our life!
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing! I love taking Scripture to break the cycle of negative thinking. Philippians 4 is one of my favorite chaptersš
Thanks for these beautiful words of encouragement. I needed to hear this and be reminded of the strength find in the scriptures.
Thanks!!!
Hi Sarah
This message hits home on many levels. Iāve been in church since the womb šand have studied scripture as long as I can remember. However, the last couple years Iāve battles with the looping thoughts of dread. Knowing scripture and literally applying it to life are different things. Iām in the thralls of the very fight you describe, and Iām standing on Godās promise and authority! We will come out of this season stronger than we entered into it.
Thank you got sharing!
Amy
Amen to that! Praying that for both of us. xoxo
So good!!! Thank you, Sarah!ā¤ļø
Really enjoying reading your devotionals. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Thank you Sarah Joy! I find your devotionals uplifting. I have followed you for several years and am glad you are here.
Love this!ā¤ļøThank you for sharing.š
Amen!!!
So good!!! Blessingsā¤ļø
Love this devotional so muchā¦thank you for sharing! š
Such impowering words and thoughts that could give us all a better life and ejoy this life he has given us. I pray that God will win and the enemy will be defeaalted in your thoughts each day. God Bless you Sarah and thank you for sharing your heart.
Thank you Sarah! Such an encouraging devotional to get into the Word and believe in the power of words. I recently made a big career change and I believe the evil one wants me doubt myself instead of carrying on with the purpose God has for meā¦ itās so easy to fall into that trap! Thank you for your words. Love your devotionals! Have a great week!
In a season that requires a lot of me and needed those verses and your reminder. Thank you!!
In full agreement. Thank you for sharing this word.