Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

Anxiety

Answering Anxiety Inside COVID-19

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What can I do for my anxiety?

The COVID-19 virus has brought an avalanche of anxiety, and it’s never been more important to answer the attack God’s way. One of the best ways to calm your heart in any storm is by speaking God’s word out loud each day.

But let’s be honest – this helpful habit is not easy to keep.  Life is busy and this discipline, while it is vital for the health of your soul, can get lost in the shuffle especially amidst the storm of uncertainty we are all facing.

But when you stack speaking God’s word on top of another daily habit, you will find that it is much easier to make a part of your day. This process is called habit stacking. Here is how you can do this in three easy steps:

    1. Download and Print the Calm Your Heart Verses we’ve created for you for free.
    2. Tape them to your bathroom mirror.
    3. After you brush your teeth in the morning and at night, take two more minutes and say these verses out loud. Brushing your teeth is already a twice a day habit to care for your teeth. Stacking renewing your mind on top of brushing your teeth is an easy way to making sure you are tending to the care of your soul daily.

When Joshua was headed into battle God told him to meditate on the word day and night. Friends, we are in a battle with a silent enemy. Let’s speak the word of God each day and night to find courage for victory!

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  (Joshua 1:8).

A Prayer For Worry and Fear

Almighty Father, when worry overcomes me, let me call on the one who is greater than any giant I may face. For greater is the Spirit that lives within me than the one in the world! 

When the enemy attacks with his lies, let that be a trigger that turns me right to you. Help me to reject the thoughts that do not come from you Lord, and replace them with your truth. 

I win over worry with worship.  

Christ Jesus. Messiah. Healer. Defender. The name above every name. The Bread of Life, the Light of the World. My Anchor in the storm. Emmanuel—God with me. Jesus, my Kinsman Redeemer, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End. My strength!  

I close in prayer today asking you for what I need and thanking you in advance for what you will do today and tomorrow and what you have done in the past.

May your peace that surpasses my understanding of the situation guard my mind. Amen.  

Download the Calm Your Heart Scriptures to battle anxiety God’s Way.

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

Are You Feeling Powerless During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

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3 Ways Overcome Powerlessness by Remembering Your Rescuer

Never before has there been such craziness in our circumstances. It is paramount that we remember our Rescuer during this season. We can feel pulled into a place of despair that puts us at the door of panic. But let us be intentional about seeking God’s face during this time. We may be social distancing, but we do not have to be spiritually distant. 

Some have said to me that they are choosing gratefulness during social distancing. They are using it as an opportunity to retreat into God’s presence so that they can then respond to others in love. I invite us all to look at our circumstances as a holy pause, one that is a gift from the Lord where we can find strength and refuge under his winds of protection. 

The coronavirus will not separate you from the Father’s love. It will not separate us from each other spiritually. We have a choice to use this time to build each other up in the faith—virtually!

Though we are miles apart, we are still one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are not in this alone. The enemy of our souls will attempt to create a drumbeat that speaks disparaging words about…

  • God
  • Others
  • Our circumstances
  • Ourselves

But I say no more!

It is time we remember the promises of God!

God Is in Control During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Many of you may feel isolated and powerless during this time of social distancing. Perhaps the drumbeat the enemy is playing in your ear right now is a repeat of an old tune you stepped to in your past. 

When situations feel out of control, we can unknowingly step into a place of a victim mentality. But as a child of God, you can depend on him rather than your circumstances. 

Here’s How to Remember Your Rescuer During the Coronavirus Pandemic

God Calls Us to Remember

“Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called ‘uncircumcised heathens’ by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.”—Ephesians 2:11 (emphasis mine)

The Greek word for “don’t forget” is to call to mind over and over again. Some translations say, “remember…” When we “call to mind over and over,” we are quicker to remember and rest in the place of God’s rescuing power. 

Therefore, when circumstances tell us to doubt, we can pause and proclaim God’s promises. As we proclaim, we are placed in position to receive Christ’s rescuing hand instead of focusing on the storms of life.  

Remember… You are not separated from God, but are now a citizen of heaven and in covenant relationship with him because of the blood of Christ!

God Calls Us to Reflect

Not only can we reflect on God’s goodness, but we can also be a reflection (or imitate God as the verse below says) so that others see him in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”—Ephesians 5:1-2 (emphasis mine)

You may ask, “How can this be done while we are social distancing?” 

Treasured One, we can look at this situation as a holy pause. It provides opportunities to reach out to others and give a good word to them virtually. 

Spend some time each day reflecting on God’s goodness. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a message to share with someone else. 

Even though we are exercising social distancing, we can share a message from our Rescuer that reflects his power by reaching out through…

  • Facebook
  • Text
  • Zoom
  • Skype
  • Phone calls
  • Facetime

And let us not forget handwritten letters!

God Calls Us to Renew 

As we wake each morning, let us renew our minds with a good report from the good Word. We can be overwhelmed and feel powerless when we see the giants in our circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic. 

However, we have a choice. Will we give a bad report or a good report?

There might be people or circumstances that push us to disagree with a good report, but let’s choose to renew our minds with God’s new mercies and grace today!

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”—Lamentations 3:22-23 (emphasis mine)

The Takeaway

Treasured One, hear this: The blood of Christ covers you. When you are fearful or feel powerless because of the coronavirus pandemic, take a moment to pause and…

  1. Remember you are in God’s family.
  2. Reflect on and be a reflection of God’s goodness. 
  3. Renew your mind and agree with the good report of God’s mercies and grace. 

The blood of Jesus gives you the guarantees of an inheritance that blesses you with…

  • Rest
  • Peace
  • Restoration
  • Salvation
  • Redemption
  • Joy
  • Abundance!

Let us not adopt a victim mentality during the coronavirus pandemic, but instead adopt the mind of Christ. Pause for a moment and invite the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to seeing this circumstance from a different perspective, from your Rescuer’s perspective. 

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”—1 John 4:4

Want Resources During Social Distancing? 

Check out the Treasured Devotions Series. Currently, we are going through Godly Girl Power–we are tapping into God’s power, which will empower us as women!

Join the Treasured Tribe, which will allow you to connect with others who are doing the Treasured Devotions.

Get started on a Nourish Bible Study Series. These 3 studies allow you to dive deep into God’s Word throughout the week. Get a group together and meet on Zoom, Facebook, or Skype weekly to discuss the study. 

Don’t let the enemy keep you from meeting together spiritually. What God has brought together, nothing can keep apart, and he is bringing women everywhere together virtually during this time!  

Her Advocate Has the Advantage over Her Adversary

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Abba Father, my adversary is creating adversity, and life has become heavy and hard. But I choose to remember this truth today: my advocate, the Holy Spirit, is greater than my adversary, the devil. 

May I remember that the enemy of my soul is at the root of evil in my life.  

When I face what he throws my way, I must take out the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and speak your truth over my situation.  

The darkness that has cast a shadow over my life is not the end of the story because you have dominion over darkness.

You are the light I see, and as I walk by faith with you through this valley, you will lead me to the other side. Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path, and gives me power over the enemy of my soul.  

Holy Spirit, give me a truth today that I can cling to and use to speak over and over again when the tempter tries to convince me that my situation is hopeless.  

In this world, I may have trouble, but my God has overcome the world!  

(Pray God’s Word: Matthew 4:1–11, 16, 23–24; John 14:15–21; 16:33; Ephesians 6:17) 

Want more? Click here to read the scriptures.  

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

She Finds Security in His Strong Leadership

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Abba Father, what a beautiful truth to behold: there is someone who watches over me with great love and desires to lead me.  

Sometimes I fear my future.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done.

And I confess that sometimes I handle feeling fearful and overwhelmed by trying to figure things out on my own.  

Ahhh . . . but then you remind me that you desire to lead me each day in decisions large and small. I am not on my own to figure out life.  

You are my good shepherd. With your staff you lead me, and with your rod you protect me. I will not be afraid. I will not get overwhelmed.

Peace, be still my soul!  

I will stop and seek you, my sovereign shepherd, and simply take the next step, knowing that each step will lead to another as I listen for your still small voice. Just as you guided the wise men by a star and warned Joseph by an angel, you will speak to me in a voice I understand.  

Your voice creates unshakable confidence in me. What an awesome truth to remember: my good shepherd is watching over me and wants to guard and guide me. Amen.  

(Pray God’s Word: John 10:1–13; Matthew 2: 6, 9–13)

Want more? Click here to read the scriptures.  

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

She Trades Her Worry for Worship

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Almighty Father, when worry overcomes me, let me call on the one who is greater than any giant I may face. For greater is the Spirit that lives within me than the one in the world! 

When the enemy attacks with his lies, let that be a trigger that turns me right to you.

I win over worry with worship.  

Christ Jesus. Messiah. Healer. Defender. The name above every name. The Bread of Life, the Light of the World. My Anchor in the storm. Emmanuel—God with me. Jesus, my Kinsman Redeemer, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End. My strength!  

I close in prayer today asking you for what I need and thanking you in advance for what you will do today and tomorrow and what you have done in the past.

May your peace that passes my understanding of the situation guard my mind. Amen.  

(Pray God’s Word: 1 John 4:4; Philippians 4:6–7; Mark 4:15–20) 

Want more? Click here to read the scriptures.  

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

Holy Holdup

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Have you ever thought of the holdups in your life as holy hedges of protection? Consider this—during holy holdups, the Holy Spirit is hovering and working on your behalf behind the scenes to build something beautiful.

This is an area where I have to continually renew my mind. But I have learned that in the resting and the waiting—those times in our lives when prayers don’t seem to be answered and we cannot see God working—the Holy Spirit hovers to bring forth a great work of God.

God Is a Master Planner

God created the world with the precision and order of a Master Planner.

  • Before there were plants, there had to be light to support the plants.
  • Before there was man, there had to be plants to nourish man.

Nothing was out of order—one step was completed before the next began. His timing was always perfect. And God hasn’t changed. Just as he was the Master Planner of creation, he is building our lives according to his divine purpose and detail.

Sometimes when the Holy Spirit is hovering, I want to hurry and take matters into my own hands—and I get out of step with the Holy Spirit. Worry and anxiety set in.

When there are holdups in my life and I don’t see God working just yet—how would my attitude change if I consider these holdups to be holy?

Each Holy Holdup Serves a Purpose

The Holy Spirit was hovering over a nothingness blob before it turned into something beautiful (Genesis 1:1). When all I see are blobs, may I remember that the Holy Spirit is hovering and has a plan to create something beautiful. When I want to run ahead of God and make things happen, may I remember that the holdup is often a hedge of protection—a gathering of carefully planned provisions from the Master Planner. Rest and trust give us salvation. Often quietness is our strength (Isaiah 30:15).

God is working his master plan and his timing is perfect. Thank God today for the provision, planning, protection, and divine purpose that come from a Holy Holdup!

Nourish Scripture:  Genesis 1 

Discover how to connect with God’s Word in a way that transforms your life. Download Nourishing Your Heart today!

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.