I’m writing this in the midst of an unexpected health crisis that seems to be filling my heart with anxiety and my mind with chaotic cluttered thoughts. And if I continue on this path, I could make my situation larger than life itself.

Are you guilty of that, too?

Are you making your problems bigger than life itself? Bigger than God?

If I think back to my column last month, I wrote about prayer. I suggested that we pray promise-centered prayers instead of problem-centered prayers. This would allow us to center our thoughts on God rather than our problems.

This is easier said than done. I know because my mind seems to have a mind of it’s own. It requires not only knowing the promises of God. But also to take captive every thought and make it obedient to the word of God. It requires us to be mindful of our thoughts every moment.

My health crisis has caused me to become even more mindful and to fall to my knees crying out to God reminding him of his promises to me as his child. And I am drawn into his word even more.

The passage that has comforted my spirit is in the fourth chapter of Philippians. The KJV says, “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything in prayer and supplication to God who will give you peace that surpasses all understanding.” It goes on to say to “think on things that are true.”

Wow I love that passage … now if only I can do that when my heart is overwhelmed.

If only I can remember that when I am sitting in the doctor’s office hearing words that I don’t want to hear.

If only I could remember that when I am alone and replaying the doctor’s words over in my head and fear starts to creep in with so many “what ifs.”

If only I could focus on the Word, hidden in my heart, and pull from it whenever I need it.

I have to recite Philippians 4 out loud every moment I start to feel anxious. I have to stop and recall the goodness of God whenever the “what if” thoughts start creeping in. I have to say “OK heart, calm down. … OK mind, we are not going there.”

Instead of focusing our energies on what ifs or the unknowns we have to learn how to focus on the truth — the truth we have at the moment.

The truth is, I am having a health crisis, yet God is Jehovah Rapha — my healer!  The truth is, I am surprised about this situation, yet God is not, for every single day of my life was written in his book before any of them came to be.  The truth is, I am anxious, yet God’s word says do not be anxious, and when I keep my mind on him I will receive his peace that surpasses all understanding.

God tells us to come boldly to his throne to receive grace and mercy in our time of need.

So I’m going.

And I’m going to keep on pushing and seeking my healing. I’m going after my blessing. I’m standing firm on his promises because God has not failed me yet.

What about you?

Natalie Rudd is on the ministerial staff at Antioch Baptist Church, 8869 Cedar Ave. in Fairfax. Reach her at mindfuldiva@gmail.com.