Day 3: John Ciannello
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because
he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
Over the last few weeks, I’ve made a mental note of this year’s “Boast in
the Lord” initiative. Pastor James has been encouraging the congregation
to submit our entries, and though I’ve wanted to, I couldn’t land on what to
share. You might look at my life and think, “you’ve got plenty to boast
about! Just pick something.” And you’d be right, I sure do. I am incredibly
grateful for the many blessings God has given me. I have a wonderful wife
and an amazing son. The Lord is using me in ministry. He’s also provided
work, a place to live, and food to eat. I have everything I need. Yet through
it all, I’ve wrestled with a strong kind of anxiety & fear. One that
overwhelms and sometimes even sidelines me.
Throughout the year, my mind has felt like an old, heavy television that’s
constantly tuned to the static channel. It has isolated me, frightened me,
and to be completely honest, terrorized me all throughout 2024. I have
frequently found myself crying out to Jesus, just wondering when it would
be over, or rather, if it would be over. I felt a lot like what I imagine King
David felt as he penned the Psalms.
But as I write this, it is with great, great joy that I share: it is over! Today,
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, through what felt like a miraculous move
of the Holy Spirit, Jesus set me free from this mental prison. And He did it
by reminding me of a scripture that has ministered to me time and time
again: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.
Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
In a moment of revelation, this verse reminded me of His sweet presence
and I was overwhelmed with joy - I knew I found the freedom He was
calling me back to. You see, the word for peace here is the Hebrew
“shalom.” And this kind of peace is more than just being calm. It’s about
completeness. It’s about wholeness. Unity with Christ. And that’s what the
Lord reminded me of. In Christ, I am complete. I am made whole.
So because of this, I boast in the Lord. He has delivered me over and over
again. He has never failed me. And He never will. And in 2025, I believe He
will continue to show us more of what we have to boast of, in Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that You would keep me in perfect peace, as I keep
my mind stayed on You. This life is full of challenges and obstacles, and
sometimes they feel pretty overwhelming. But you never change. You
never leave. And You keep all your promises. So I turn from all fear, and I
look to You. I trust You, Jesus. Thank You for all the blessings You have
put in my life. Today, I choose to keep my eyes fixed upon You. Because
no matter what I may come against, it cannot prevail over You. You are
mighty and You are sovereign. Thank You again for Your ‘shalom.’ In
Jesus’ name, Amen
he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
Over the last few weeks, I’ve made a mental note of this year’s “Boast in
the Lord” initiative. Pastor James has been encouraging the congregation
to submit our entries, and though I’ve wanted to, I couldn’t land on what to
share. You might look at my life and think, “you’ve got plenty to boast
about! Just pick something.” And you’d be right, I sure do. I am incredibly
grateful for the many blessings God has given me. I have a wonderful wife
and an amazing son. The Lord is using me in ministry. He’s also provided
work, a place to live, and food to eat. I have everything I need. Yet through
it all, I’ve wrestled with a strong kind of anxiety & fear. One that
overwhelms and sometimes even sidelines me.
Throughout the year, my mind has felt like an old, heavy television that’s
constantly tuned to the static channel. It has isolated me, frightened me,
and to be completely honest, terrorized me all throughout 2024. I have
frequently found myself crying out to Jesus, just wondering when it would
be over, or rather, if it would be over. I felt a lot like what I imagine King
David felt as he penned the Psalms.
But as I write this, it is with great, great joy that I share: it is over! Today,
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, through what felt like a miraculous move
of the Holy Spirit, Jesus set me free from this mental prison. And He did it
by reminding me of a scripture that has ministered to me time and time
again: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.
Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
In a moment of revelation, this verse reminded me of His sweet presence
and I was overwhelmed with joy - I knew I found the freedom He was
calling me back to. You see, the word for peace here is the Hebrew
“shalom.” And this kind of peace is more than just being calm. It’s about
completeness. It’s about wholeness. Unity with Christ. And that’s what the
Lord reminded me of. In Christ, I am complete. I am made whole.
So because of this, I boast in the Lord. He has delivered me over and over
again. He has never failed me. And He never will. And in 2025, I believe He
will continue to show us more of what we have to boast of, in Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that You would keep me in perfect peace, as I keep
my mind stayed on You. This life is full of challenges and obstacles, and
sometimes they feel pretty overwhelming. But you never change. You
never leave. And You keep all your promises. So I turn from all fear, and I
look to You. I trust You, Jesus. Thank You for all the blessings You have
put in my life. Today, I choose to keep my eyes fixed upon You. Because
no matter what I may come against, it cannot prevail over You. You are
mighty and You are sovereign. Thank You again for Your ‘shalom.’ In
Jesus’ name, Amen
Posted in Boast in the Lord \\\'25
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