Like A Cage Filled With Monkeys

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

I find when stress builds, when cares increase, and my “nerves” get into overdrive it is very difficult to calm my mind and stop thoughts from jumping around in my brain like a cage filled with monkeys.

Eastern philosophers speak of having a “monkey mind”. They use words like restless, indecisive, unsettled, and confused to describe having a monkey mind. Far too often I find myself dealing with a monkey mind.

When problems increase and stress weighs us down we can can lose our peace and calm. Instead of looking to our Lord we look to ourselves to work things out, trying to decide what to do, and often come up short on solutions. This only increases our stress level and sets more monkeys loose in our brain. Worries for tomorrow overload our thoughts today.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." — Corrie ten Boom

We know the solution to a monkey mind. However, as if we have temporary amnesia, we instead see our problems as ever increasing and our faith in God somehow diminished in stressful times. Yet Our God is all powerful. The problems we face are nothing compared to His strength and ability to meet our needs.  

One of the first things we need to do when fear starts causing the mind to race is to stop in our tracks and look up. Jesus, the One who has solved or seen us through every problem of the past has not changed. He has not suddenly become powerless to help us.

Jesus came to give us peace, and though the believer will wrestle with this world's problems we also have an endless resource that we can tap into daily to find the strength to settle our fears and calm our racing thoughts.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

God is good. He cares about His children and never fails to stand in our corner encouraging us to trust Him in all things. He also gives us peace through His Holy Spirit to settle our hearts and minds as faith comes back into focus. 

Life can fill us with cares and troubles and send our thoughts racing in all directions from worry and fear. Yet we have help and hope in the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. We not only have God’s word to help and guide us, but the very presence of the Lord within every believer aiding us. Chase the monkeys out of your mind with the promises, peace, and power of Jesus Christ.

Do you often find your thoughts racing? Do you have too many things on your mind robbing you of peace?

Call upon the Lord  for help.

Dear Lord, old habits are hard to break and fear robs us of the peace You can give. Calm our racing thoughts and fill us with faith and peace as we look to You for help. Amen.