Drinking from the River

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"

John 7:38

   I have been drinking a lot lately. No, not that kind of drinking. I have been drinking from the living water inside me. I don't know why, but the enemy has been really trying to discourage me and throw me down with all kinds of doubts lately. Every time I am alone, some kind of doubt about a glorious truth in my life is hurled in my direction. Constantly I am doubting things. I am asking whether it could possibly true, all the things I have been believing.

   What I have learned through it all is that I need God's truth to be flowing through me. I need the river of living water to wash over me in those moments. So I begin reciting what I know to be true about me and my situation.

"I am loved by God."

I have been drinking a lot lately...

"All things work together for those who love God."

"It's probably not as bad as I making it out to be."

"The Holy Spirit lives in me and in (the other person)."

"I need time to think this over, rather than getting emotional about it."

"The fruit of the Spirit is patience."

"The fruit of the Spirit is joy."

"Jesus overcame way more than this to love me."

"I don't deserve anything I have, let alone what I am wanting."

"Thank you Jesus for the wonderful things I already have in my life." 

"Heaven is still my home."

"God is always good, even when it doesn't feel like it."

"God knows what he is doing."

"God already knows what is going to happen and he isn't freaking out."

And so on...

   When you do that, you are speaking truth over yourself. And in doing so, you are being refreshed more and more. Your thirst for satisfaction or recognition or worth is being quenched, and you are given a greater love for God. The more I drink from the river that never runs dry, the more I am in awe of the beauty and greatness of our God. And it is my prayer that every one of you who reads this will be encouraged to run to that river often and drink up.

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(This also applies to a Christian brother or sister you may know who is really struggling with doubts. You can speak truth and greatness over them. You can draw out the rivers of living water from within them too.)