With the events of the last few weeks still fresh in my mind, I have been searching through Scripture to find comfort. This mornings reading is exactly what I need to start this new week.
Isaiah 40 is a chapter filled with comfort and hope. It was written to a people living in the shadow of exile, burdened by the consequences of sin and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Yet, from the very beginning, God speaks words of deep reassurance:
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God (Isaiah 40:1).
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God (Isaiah 40:1).
As the chapter unfolds, a beautiful tension emerges. On one hand, we’re reminded of the frailty of human life:
“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field” (verse 6).
Life is fragile. Our efforts fade. Seasons shift. The things we build, depend on, or admire can crumble in an instant.
“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field” (verse 6).
Life is fragile. Our efforts fade. Seasons shift. The things we build, depend on, or admire can crumble in an instant.
But then comes the turning point:
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
While everything around us is temporary, God’s Word is unshakable and eternal. His promises don’t expire. His truth never fades. The same voice that brought comfort and strength to His people then, still speaks today.
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
While everything around us is temporary, God’s Word is unshakable and eternal. His promises don’t expire. His truth never fades. The same voice that brought comfort and strength to His people then, still speaks today.
The rest of the chapter lifts our gaze even higher. It paints a stunning picture of God's greatness—the One who measures the oceans in the palm of His hand, who names each star, and never grows weary. And yet, this all-powerful God chooses to speak tenderly to His people. He strengthens the weak. He renews the worn out. He stays close.
So when life feels unstable, remember this:
God’s Word is not like grass that withers.
It is a rock that never moves.
And it will carry you through whatever season you face.
God’s Word is not like grass that withers.
It is a rock that never moves.
And it will carry you through whatever season you face.
The list of things we could worry about seems endless sometimes, doesn't it? We have: wars, sickness, finances, relationships, politics, natural disasters, job security, the safety and wellbeing of our loved ones…
I know, it’s a lot. And if we’re not careful, fear can begin to run the show. I've actually learned, through my working through a whole host of issues over the last couple of years, it is possible to keep fear from running the show. Part of my work has been accomplished through leaning into my faith and reading the Bible more...
Jesus looked His disciples in the eye—knowing full well that death was at the top of their fear list—and said: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1
That’s a pretty bold command, isn't it?
Is it really possible not to be shaken by all that’s going on in the world?
Jesus seemed to think so—because He said this just before He was arrested, beaten, and crucified.
He wasn’t unaware of the darkness… but He was confident in the Light.
Jesus knew:
• He is the source of true peace.
• He is the source of real joy.
• He is our only freedom from fear and worry.
Trusting God doesn’t mean life will be easy.
It means we’re not walking through the hard parts alone.
So how do we keep from getting overwhelmed?
How do we practically stop fear from taking the lead?
Here are some places to start:
• Take your thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.
• Prioritize God’s wisdom by reading, praying, and studying Scripture.
• Talk it out—share honestly with a trusted, faith-filled friend.
• Worship your way through the day—fill your space with music that points your heart back to Him.
Hard things will come. But we don’t have to be shaken by them.
Why? Because we know who holds it all together.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Take a moment today to reflect:
👉 What is fueling fear in your life right now?
👉 What’s one practice you can begin today to turn your heart back toward trust in God?
He is near. He is trustworthy. He is peace.
She was always the one checking in.
Holding space.
Making sure everyone else was okay.
Holding space.
Making sure everyone else was okay.
But somewhere along the way,
she forgot to ask herself the same.
she forgot to ask herself the same.
Now, she’s learning to pause.
To breathe.
To gently ask,
“What do I need today?”
To breathe.
To gently ask,
“What do I need today?”
And that one simple question—
that moment of turning inward—
that moment of turning inward—
is starting to heal years of quiet neglect,
and the ache of a love
she needed but never received.
This is how she comes home to herself.
One tender ask at a time.
One tender ask at a time.
The way we think directly impacts the way we live. That might sound overwhelming, but it’s actually full of hope. Because while we may not catch every single thought flying through our heads on a crazy day, we can catch just one—and that one can change everything.
So what’s the thought that can interrupt the noise and reroute the spiral?
I have a choice.
When your mind is spinning in distraction, you have a choice: to slow down and return to stillness with God.
When you feel isolated, you have a choice: to lean into community, even if it feels vulnerable.
When anxiety creeps in, you have a choice: to place your trust in His good and sovereign plan.
When cynicism tries to harden your heart, you have a choice: to turn up the worship and soften in His presence.
When pride tries to take the lead, you have a choice: to humble yourself and remember who’s really in charge.
When victimhood whispers lies, you have a choice: to lift your eyes in gratitude for what’s still true.
When complacency settles in, you have a choice: to step out in service and live on mission.
If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, this isn’t just willpower—it’s Spirit-empowered. You’ve been made new. That means you’re not a slave to your thoughts, your past, your emotions, or your circumstances.
We have been given the ability to choose a new way of thinking. And when you do, it’s not just spiritual—it’s physical. Your brain literally rewires. New thoughts = new paths. New freedom. New joy.
You’re not stuck. You’re not too far gone. You have a choice.
And it starts now.
If my toddler throws a fit in the grocery store, I step in and redirect him. But how often do we let our thoughts throw full-blown tantrums—unchecked and unchallenged?
Paul reminds us that we can take our thoughts captive. We actually have power over what we think about—and when we lean into that, strongholds start to crumble.
Romans 8:5 says those who live by the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Lately, I’ve been sitting with that. What would it look like to truly have a mind fixed on the Spirit? One that chooses peace. Life. Truth.
It’s not always easy, but I’m learning to interrupt the spirals. To pause. To shift. To realign my thoughts with what’s true and good. I don’t do it perfectly—but I am seeing growth.
With time and practice, taking our thoughts captive becomes less of a struggle and more of a reflex. That’s the goal: to default to the Spirit instead of the flesh. To retrain our minds—on purpose—until we begin to think like Jesus.
