Steps

Pastor gave a verse that resonates with me. 

A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand. 
- Psalm 37:19

You see, I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for the few weeks.  Sometimes it's just a little at a time, but I have been buckled on recent occasion.  This has fed the depression...

I am a child of God... I am supposed to be living this new life and I still can't seem to get my mind right... I am failing because I'm reminiscing my drinking days... I am failing because I'm gossiping about my family and speaking unkind words... I am failing in life because I'm failing the people who expect me to be above and beyond what I can be right now... chatter...chatter...chatter...

You know, I have been better.  I know I am better than this.  God knows I am better than this.  But the difference is, God knows I am a work in progress.  I am STILL new at sober living.  God knows I am in training to be something great.  And He knows that greatness comes one step at a time.  I will learn how to succeed in the battle in my mind and it will get easier for me.   The problem is that I have been lazy with my STEPS.  It is in my walk with God...in each step I take...where I learn and grow and overcome. 

This morning, I started over.

I'm going back to my steps... 

Wake up early. 
Exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world...speaking the Words given to me with my mouth, which give them life in my heart.  They are the weapons that I will fight and win the battles in my mind with.

This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.  Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
- Joshua 1:8-9

My mouth leads my thoughts. My emotions follow my thoughts.  Whatever my words speak give power to whatever thoughts they feed.

My battle verses today:

For thought we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17