Storms happen in life. Some storms are sudden, almost without warning and other storms build up over time, but we tend to ignore the signs until the chaos begins. There are also smaller storms that are less destructive but may be equally painful to experience at the time.
The Bible reveals that Jesus calmed the storm with a spoken word. He also healed through the spoken word. Everything was created through a spoken word. There is power in the spoken word for both calming the storm or creating one. Whether we are in a large or small storm, the spoken word from the Bible can calm the storm within us or around us.
It is commonly believed that thoughts precede behaviors, and there is ample evidence how negative thoughts and painful feelings can be expressed as anger, anxiety, or depression. When a person remains in a negative loop of painful thoughts, feelings of fear, shame, guilt, jealousy, or rejection are likely to be present at the same time. The feelings are valid because they are being experienced but they may not be based upon what is true today. When a person is able to recite what is true, then the feelings and thoughts begin to change and therefore, the behaviors also change. Philipians 4:8 encourages the reader to think about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent and praiseworthy." This isn't just positive thinking, but truth-thinking.
I encourage clients to read Philipians 4:4-7 and then to personalize the verses as they speak the words aloud: "I will rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! May my gentleness be evident to all...the Lord is near to me! I will not be anxious about anything but in everything through prayer, petition and with thanksgiving, I will make my requests to God...and I know that tthe peace of God that goes beyond all understanding will guard, protect my heart and mind in Christ Jesus."
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