My heart raced, and my breathing was shallow.
“What-ifs” and “should-haves” fought to control my mind.
Like a whirlpool, my thoughts threatened to suck me into a spiral of pointless ponderings.
What if more of my family becomes ill? What if we are hospitalized? What if we unknowingly infected someone else?
I’d been sick for several days, unable to do much more than lie in bed and think.
I lacked the energy and focus to read my Bible or pray. Amidst persistent bouts of anxiety and fear, I asked the Lord what to do.
His answer came in a stern whisper, “Stop spinning!”
This thought left me breathless in a new and encouraging way.
While I could not control my physical health, I could control what thoughts I entertained, and I could allow God to transform me into a new person by changing the way I think (Rm 12:2).
Sometimes, we are tempted to be indecisive, blame others for our problems, or wallow in pits of guilt or self-pity.
Fear and anxiety have a way of consuming and imprisoning us.
Although temptations are inevitable, God promises to provide a way of escape when they come (1 Cor 10:13).
In the days that followed, God revealed the unproductive nature of spinning and the importance of a steadfast spirit.
Whether our spinning is relational, financial, mental, spiritual, or emotional, we need not stay stuck there.
Here are several strategies to a steadfast spirit to help you trade stagnant spinning for intentional progress.
Although temptations are inevitable, God promises to provide a way of escape when they come.
7 Strategies from Scripture to Stop Spinning and Steady Your Heart
Strategy 1: Stop Spinning
The first strategy is to recognize destructive thoughts and acknowledge unproductive spinning.
This powerful step requires us to name our problem and point our finger in its face.
When we stop to identify the struggle, we approach the spinning (fear, finances, relationship issues, difficult decisions, etc.) head-on.
Jesus promises to be with us in every moment, in all situations.
This knowledge empowers us to be still (stop) and know that God is God (Ps 46:10).
The strength of this simple step surprised me.
I often don’t even notice when I am spinning. However, stopping to name my struggle enables me to regain control of my mind.
Jesus promises to be with us in every moment, in all situations.Strategy 2: Forge Ahead
Now that we’ve stopped spinning, we must focus our minds on God.
Like regaining our balance after riding a merry-go-round, this step allows us to reestablish our spiritual footing.
When we invite God into the fray, we give Him permission to save the day!
By focusing on God’s plans and purposes, we position ourselves to move forward.
This is a partnership. When we remind ourselves that God is in control, He grabs hold of our hands to give us a steadfast spirit.
Here, we can practice short, powerful phrases to reestablish our footing: I am okay. God is with me. He is in control. He goes before me. He fights for me.
These powerful phrases prepare us for the next step.
Strategy 3: Seek God
Jesus Christ is the answer to every question and the solution to every problem.
Once we identify the problem and realign our focus, we can proactively pursue His input.
God promises that whenever we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jer 29:13, emphasis added).
Seek God through prayer, praise, and Bible reading. You can also ask others to pray for you as you pursue God and seek His steadfast spirit for a particular situation.
When we seek His will in all we do, He will show us which path to take (Pr 3:6).
Seek God through prayer, praise, and Bible reading. You can also ask others to pray for you as you pursue God and seek His steadfast spirit for a particular situation.Strategy 4: Steep in the Word
Like hot water poured over a teabag, we must steep ourselves in the Word.
The more we soak ourselves in the truth of God’s Word, the stronger we become. As He strengthens us, our discernment grows to recognize our true purpose here on earth.
As we spend time in Scripture, we also gain the ammunition we need to fight all our battles. When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we find strength to resist sin (Ps 119:11).
Battles are inevitable, and individual battles require various scriptural weapons.
Therefore, as we identify each battle, we can do a word or topic study to find scriptural weapons most relevant to our current needs.
Strategy 5: Stand Your Ground
Once we have steeped ourselves in truth, we are better equipped to stand our ground.
Because God is always with us, we can stand firm in the faith (Eph 6:13).
Because of His faithfulness, we can be strong and courageous (1 Cor 16:13).
Because He is always with us, we will not be shaken, no matter what we face (Ps 16:8).
Strategy 6: Step Out in Faith
When we clear the cobwebs from our minds, we free ourselves to hear God’s voice. Remember, we can do all things through Christ’s strength within us (Phil 4:13).
Armed with confidence, empowered by the Word, and strengthened by God’s direction, we can faithfully take the best next step, whatever that may be!
We can accept a different job, buy a new home, or keep doing what we’re doing as God guides and directs us.
As Christians, we can speak Truth over fear and utilize the power of prayer to make difficult decisions.
Once we perceive His instruction, we are responsible for obeying His commands (Dt 29:29). We can also rest assured that He will accompany us wherever He asks us to go (Josh 1:9).
Once we perceive His instruction, we are responsible for obeying His commands. We can also rest assured that He will accompany us wherever He asks us to go.Strategy 7: Settle In
In order to stop spinning, we must settle into a lifestyle of resting in God. No matter how long our to-do list or how tenuous our circumstances.
God promises a steadfast spirit to keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him and fix their thoughts on Him (Is 26:3). He lets us rest in calming places and leads us by quiet streams (Ps 23:2-3).
Even when we are walking forward or doing difficult things, we can choose to rest in His peace, power, presence, and provision.
Resting in God is a decision that paradoxically prepares us to move forward in accordance with His will.
Summary
Our Almighty God is more than enough.
He promises to be our cup and our portion forever (Ps16:5). He meets all our needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19).
When we choose to stop spinning, we set ourselves up for progress.
In spinning, there is bondage; in Jesus, there is glorious freedom.
When we activate our wills and trust in God’s Truth, we trade the monotonous for supernatural, forward movement.
Are you spinning today? Use these strategies from Scripture to steady your heart.
As you identify areas in your life that lack momentum, confess them to God. Ask Him to help you stop spinning and restore your steadfast spirit.
When we activate our wills and trust in God’s Truth, we trade the monotonous for supernatural, forward movement.– Denise Prosser
Denise is a Christian wife, mom to four daughters, writer, and music therapist from central Illinois. Her greatest passion is leading women, specifically moms, toward greater freedom in their relationship with Jesus. Her website ministers to women in various seasons and facets of motherhood and offers free helpful printables for encouraging women on the journey. Denise can be found at DeniseProsser.com and on Facebook.
