Our Stories Unleashed

Reset Your Mind on Christ

A three-bedroom house, a family of nine, and a record console blaring Elvis Presley’s “I’m all Shook Up.” It wasn’t often that the wooden house I grew up in would be rocking, but when my sister Francis would start playing Elvis’s record, each family member would stop in the middle of their chores and do our best to replicate the dance style of the King of Rock & Roll.

If you were to ask me what song title I think most depicts my feelings in the last eight weeks, I may have picked this Elvis title. And as easy as it is to give in to my feelings, God is faithfully reminding me (and growing me) that faith takes work on my part. I work to focus on the truth of His word. And when I do, He changes everything. He floods my heart with his peace.

When I take my eyes off my fear and I rest them firmly on the Father, He reminds me that He is from everlasting to everlasting. When I refuse to look at the storms of life and step out in faith, He steeps my soul (and hope) in the truth that He is the mighty creator, an ever-present strength in times of trouble.

In this crazy time, followers of Christ have an opportunity to reset our hope on Jesus Christ. Perhaps, never has there been a point when our world has been so reminded that we are not in control. We are not the captain of our destiny. We cannot predict what will happen tomorrow. Yet as believers, we know who does. As followers of Christ, our stability is to be found in Him and Him alone.

The Psalms are often a blessing for my heart when it feels “all shook up.” I look to Psalm 62, where David shares, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken…. I find rest in God; my hope comes from him… Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

To be surrounded by a world in crisis and find rest in Christ takes work. To trust him at all times, requires the pouring out of our hearts to him. It takes continual course correction. Faith in Jesus is not a one and done event. It is a continual renewing of our mind in the truth of who Jesus is. It is a continual surrender of our heart, soul and desires to Christ that He would transform us into His image. And in this active renewal, this active surrender, He provides truth that anchors us in a peace that passes all understanding.

When followers of Christ live like God is their refuge, we share calm in the midst of the storm.

When believers in Christ plant their feet firmly on Christ as their rock, we are courageous.

When disciples of Christ know him as their fortress, we are life giving to those around us.

When we depend on Christ as our salvation, we readily share the hope of salvation with others.

So how do we course correct and leave the feelings of angst behind? We spend time in scripture. We spend time in prayer. And we spend time in worship. For generations, Christians have sung Horatio Spafford’s song “It Is Well with My Soul” as a reminder of salvation in Christ through both good and bad times. Perhaps you might find a time to still your soul and allow it to sing this song of surrender.

Perhaps you actively pray through the zoom meetings, the dishes, the homeschooling, carrying on a conversation with the Most High King.

Perhaps you just stop. Tell him you feel “All Shook Up”, and listen to the still, quiet voice that calls to you with love. And you allow Him to comfort your heart in the peace and power that only He has.

Hebrews 10:39 reminds us, “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” Our souls can truly find rest in God. He is our refuge. Take courage, my friend. Our mission has not changed – we are disciples who make disciples. Our hope has not changed – it is firmly rooted in Christ the King. He’s got this!

In Christ,
Caroline