Over the last week, the word “steadfast” has been coming into my mind. One of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us is through our thoughts. In response to His prompting, I began to research the word “steadfast”. One of the ways I search a word is through biblegateway.com. I found 10 scriptures with the word “steadfast” in them. First, let’s look at the meaning of the word “steadfast”. Merriam-Webster defines steadfast as firmly fixed in place, immovable, or not subject to change. The second definition of “steadfast” is firm in belief, determination, adherence, and loyal. To me this word “steadfast” means that I must set my mind and keep it set on what I believe and who I believe in. Isaiah 26:3 the amplified version says it best:

You will keep in perfect peace and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast (that is committed and focused on You- in both inclination and character), because he trusts and takes refuge in You (with hope and confident expectation). 

The word “inclination” is very interesting to me. Google dictionary define “inclination” as a person’s natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way or a slope or slant. Interestingly, a slope or slant can go up or down. It struck me that our thoughts can slant or slope up or down as well. If my thoughts slope “down”, I will feel downcast, fearful or depressed.  If my thoughts slope “up”, I will feel hopeful, peaceful, and energized to live life to the fullest. The meditation of our mind and heart has such power. Thoughts can bring life or death just as the words of our mouth. What are you meditating on? Are you thoughts hopeful or full of fear? Negative fearful thoughts affect us physically and emotionally but there is hope. There is one who loves us perfectly. His love drives fear away.

1 John 4:18 Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection. 

Fear is always related to punishment. Isn’t this so true? When worry thoughts come, is it not like punishment or torment? The fearful thoughts are torment to our soul causing all kinds of physical symptoms–depressed mood, panic attacks, anxiety, elevated heart rate, weak legs, light-headedness, weakness, diarrhea just to name a few. Sadly, most of the things we worry about never happen but we allowed those thoughts to torment us. Fear is our greatest enemy. The spirit of fear paralyses us and contributes to physical illness. Fear brings with it stress and more than 87% of illness is stress related. That’s a lot of illness! How do we overcome fear? We must make up our mind to either believe God and His promises to us for protection, provision, health and prosperity or believe the lies of Satan that produce fear. Fear is Satan’s favorite weapon. We have to make up our mind not to associated with it. How do we do this? We fix our mind on Jesus and on things above. We lift our eyes (heart and mind) up to the One who created us, who knows and loves us perfectly, who will never push us away or leave us. He is the only one who never changes and never gives up on us. Medical studies have confirmed that when we relax, our parasympathetic nervous system counteracts the harmful effects of stress by lowering blood pressure, muscle tension, and heart rate. Nitrite Oxide is released which counteracts the action of stress in the brain and the body. A calm heart releases tranquilizing hormones that produce feelings of harmony with others. One of these hormones is Atrial Natriuretic factor which inhibits the release of stress hormones such as cortisol. We know cortical suppresses your immune system making us more susceptible to illness. Proverbs 14:30 says a calm and undisturbed mind and heart are life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness to the bones. Doesn’t envy, jealousy and anger bring with it stress? Of course it does and these things left to manifest in our spirit bring destruction. The antidote to fear is Love.

Love is developed or nurtured in relationship to another person. Love actively desires to know the other person, their likes, their hopes and their dreams. God is Love and His Love was expressed though the person of Jesus Christ. How can I know His love if I never spend time with Him? How can He know me if I never spend time with Him? In the days to come, I will be posting a video of my private time with God in hopes to help you connect with Him in a deeper way. His love is deep and His love is secure. Today I want you to meditate on this thought– God loves me. Think it and speak it all through out this day. When worry or fear come, remember God loves you and He has given you enough Grace for today. Focus on His love and trust Him. His thoughts about you are good. He has a great plan for your life, to prosper you and not to harm you.  May you have a blessed day!

Psalm 112:7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the LORD.