03-23-24-ENG.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6–7
An article was published not too long ago that said Americans had purchased over three hundred million prescriptions for anxiety or anti-depressants in 2021 alone.* That was a sharp increase from the year before and a definite sign of the times. It is clear people are struggling with mental health as we witness the restlessness all around. One of the reasons indicated was a lack of satisfaction with life as it was. And while there is a place for assistance when you need it, God’s Word also provides a way to help with calming your heart and emotions.

If you find yourself going through the motions each moment when either nothing makes you happy or you have to conjure up happiness to distract you from your unhappiness, you are not pursuing righteousness. I can say that because Jesus promises in His Word that you will be satisfied when you are pursuing righteousness. Satisfaction is yours for the taking. It’s as simple as conforming your thoughts and your actions to the will of God. Much of the disenchantment and despondency we face week after week or month after month is tied to famished souls. If the body of Christ would just stop dining solely on spiritual doughnuts, as pleasant as they may taste and as easy as they go down, we would be able to impact the chaos in our culture and transform it for the glory of God. 

But we won’t do that until we, as a collective body, determine to be as passionate about the truth of God’s Word while we pursue an intimate relationship with Him and the primacy of His rule as we are about everything else we’ve placed ahead of Him so far. Until we start to reject illegitimate sources of nutrition and replace them with the truth, we will remain ineffective followers, unable to make much of a difference at all. If the physical body needs to have food intake several times a day just to function, how much more do you think the spiritual being needs righteousness on a regular basis? Our souls are starving because we have relegated our relationship with God and His rule to the status of a social media influencer trying to get us to buy the latest shoes or home goods. God doesn’t just want to influence you. 

He—as God—is in charge. He is the ultimate Ruler, and He rules over all. In order to rightly align under Him, you will need to consistently feed your soul through the exposure of your mind to righteous thoughts, righteous words, and righteous behavior. And if you’re not used to feeding on so much righteousness at one time, then start where you can. Set down your cell phone and pick up your Bible. Turn off the television and read a book or listen to a podcast on righteous-based principles. Start where you can, and as you continue, you will notice your hunger increasing each day. What used to be five minutes of reading may turn into twenty without your even trying. As your soul expands with the righteousness of God, your hunger and your thirst will grow, too, in order to meet the growing appetite of your soul. 

Reaction:
Why do you think there is a growing increase in the number of people depending on outside help for mental wellness? In what ways can a firm faith in God and His Word help bring calm and satisfaction? Describe what emotional and mental benefits knowing God has brought to you. 

Prayer:
Jesus, help me understand what I need to do to live my life in a state of harmony, satisfaction, and peace. Give me a deep desire for Your righteousness as I seek You and Your Word above all else. I love You and want to know You more. In Your name I pray, amen