DISQUIETING THOUGHTS

Step 1 | Quiet Your Heart

Take three deep breaths, breathing in the Spirit of Truth. Breathe out any fear or anxiety, or arrogance that would keep you from receiving what you need most—God’s exhaustive and freeing knowledge of you—preparing yourself to be guided to all truth in the peace of a heart and mind guarded by Christ Jesus.

Step 2 | Read & Ask

Read Psalm 139:7-15

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and examine your disquieting thoughts—the passions and ambitions that get your heart racing and the concerns and anxieties that raise your heart rate. Use the questions to help you listen/discern. Ask them not of yourself, but ask the Spirit of Truth, the Helper, and Advocate for you, to help you get an accurate read on your heart rate.

·      What disquiets (passionate & anxious) my thoughts?

·      What do I desire from & for myself, others & God? What is my motivation?

·      How do I respond to those who are against what I/God desire?

Step 3 | Read & Reflect

Read Psalm 84:5-7

“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion (God’s dwelling, heaven). As they go through the difficult and lonesome valley, they make it a place of springs; [Your] early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.”

Consider whose strength you are living on and how that impacts your heart rate. Ask the Spirit to help you see if your disquieting thoughts are “making life a place of springs” or are drying up your spirit.

Step 4 | Write & Pray

Write out Psalm 86:11-12 as a prayer, and then follow up with your own prayer for the Spirit to lead you in the way ancient and everlasting.

Psalm 86:11-12

“Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth, unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”