“Be the door-keeper of your heart and mind- do not let any thought come into it without questioning it.”
~Evagrius Ponticus
3
Just this weekend, we took a mini-vacation to Kansas City, with our oldest daughter’s family- Sarah, Keith, Mari, Finley, Cohen, Sophie, and Cadence! Our days were filled with fun; swimming, exploring Science City, Kaleidoscope Art Center, touring the Hallmark , the Planetarium, and last but not least, Lego Land.
But my favorite times were at night! Our grandkids got to camp out and sleep in our hotel room!
a little piece of heaven on earth….
We were telling stories and saying bedtime prayers, when Cohen spoke up.
“You better really pray for me, Nana. I close my eyes and I really get afraid.”
Finley chimed in, “Me too, Nana!”
“I used to get afraid at night time too. What are you afraid of?”
“Well, I watched something scary on a movie and I can’t get it out of my mind. My mind shows it to me when I try to go to sleep. I need to be more careful bout what I watch cause it sticks in there and I can’t get rid of it.“
3
Out of the mouth of babes….
3
3
We prayed- talked about how to replace those scary scenes with the good memories of today. We talked about the Bible verse that says- set a guard on your heart- a doorkeeper in your mind.
“Imagine you have a knight in shining armor- a guard with a sword- that stands in front of your heart and mind, Cohen. He’s the one who will help you remember not to let the bad, scary thoughts come into your mind. It’s like a battle-sometimes we can’t help it- we see scary things- but a lot of the times we can choose not to watch things that are scary. We stop them before they can get in!”
3
“I’m gonna do that Nana. Cause I don’t like getting afraid.”
[Tweet “#Fear is a terrorist that must be dealt with through #God’s #truth. #prayer”]
As I lay there with him until he fell asleep, I thought about how I need to put a guard on my heart and mind.
[Tweet “I have to #guard my mind and heart if I want the #peace of God. “]
3
It’s way toooo easy to get overwhelmed and inundated with visual real world events that put fear in my heart. I want to find a way to be informed but I can’t let too much information or too many “pictures” get in so they dominate my thoughts.
So I get informed
BUT THEN
I focus on and filter reality through the lens of God’s great love. I repeat what I know is true.
[Tweet “God’s got the whole world in His hands. He’s going to #triumph over every evil, stinkin’ thing.”]
3
New Living Translation
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
So true. I really needed to read your post this morning!
Fear has torment- I don’t know how many times I “wake up” to the fact that I’m being terrorized by fear! I’m going to learn to fight this thing- with Truth and Love.
Oh, how I love this post, Cindy. So true! And I’d never thought of fear as a terrorist, but great analogy. Fear has been a biggie for me.
Thank you! Love, love your precious family pics.
Fear is a biggie for me, too, Julie! When I was telling our grandkids, Not to Fear- it was resonating back to me- that’s what our Heavenly Father is yearning for us —-to be free from fear and live in the promise of His presence and provision. Hugs! and many blessings!
I love that Cohen, blessed with a precious Nana who knows just what to say and do. He is so wise to bring his concerns out in the open, rather than living in fear. Praise the Lord! And so, we too are blessed with more good news treasure in your writing. Thank you, dear Cindy!
Thank you, Edy! Most of the time, God is talking to me as I’m sharing with them. My fears are “bigger” and more realistic than childhood fears- but fear is fear is fear- and God doesn’t want us to b terrorized by fear but live in His freedom and peace! hugs and blessings, Edy.
I agree that it’s the terrorist of the mind because once we listen to fear, we get paralyzed. We stop doing what we ought to do. It’s like a taunting bully. Perfect love casts out all fears.
Wasted way too many years afraid. So thankful for the grace that allowed some really hard places to drive out fear. Loved your precious truth to your grandson. Love those grandbabies!
So true Deb! Fear Not are two of my most favorite words.
Oh my gosh…I needed this today as I find fear being a terrorist with me. Love this. God is good!
Thanks for stopping by! Fear Not! Two powerful words spoken over 365 times in the Bible! I think this is something the Lord wants to help us overcome! hugs and blessings! May you have a BLESSED Easter!
Thanks for this great reminder that applies to us all! Yes, we need to keep captive our hearts and thoughts to let God’s truth prevail in both! God bless.
Fear is so very powerful and we do need to guard ourselves! It steals our joy, our years and brings us to a complete stop.
thanks for this wonderful post
@spreadingJOY
Marie
It is so easy to let fear get the best of us. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to Fear Not and to guard our hearts and minds.
@barbaragareis
It is amazing what comes out of the mouths of babes. I thought this was a wonderful way to share with adults and children on how to guard their hearts and minds. Great article and thanks for sharing! #bloggercaregroup
Thanks for stopping by Kelly! I learn so much from our children and grandchildren. I love their honesty and acceptance of God’s truth!
I love your blog Cindy! I am also part of the blogger care group. Fear can capture so much of our energy! The verse I say to myself when I realize that I am being manipulated by fear is ” God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, and of power and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7 . God is so good!
Hey Momo- thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I love what you said- “fear can capture so much of our energy” Absolutely! It paralyzes and drains us! Thank God for His deliverance and His assurances of Fear Not- I am with you.
Great post, Cindy. Out of the mouth of babes for real! It reminds me of the children’s song “O Be Careful Little Eyes” and the newer “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns. It shocks me that most horror movies today are only rated PG-13. The MPAA’s not gonna guard our hearts and minds, so we better do it, right? (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Love both of those songs Colin- and you’re right- we have to guard our hearts and minds and as a parent, I want to teach my kids and grandkids to think- really think about what they watch and see. I want them to discern- not just be told no- you can’t watch that or- when you’re 13 you can watch that. We need fill our lives with redemptive, encouraging, overcoming themes! blessings and thanks so much for stopping by to share your words of wisdom!