Why...
Is it because my parents told me so?
Is it so that I will be liked, applauded, esteemed?
Do I really believe it or is it just what I am good at?
Is there something else?
What if my advice is wrong?
What if it leads to destruction?
Am I a fraud?

Am I making a difference?
Is redemption real?
Why do I so rarely see it?
Why do bad people prosper?
Why do good people suffer?
Is there truth outside of the bible?
Where?
Can I truly love people?
Truly?
Without selfish motives?
Should I quit?
Am I a good father?
Husband?
Pastor?
Friend?
Am I loyal?
Do I have an agenda before love?
Is joy a physical, emotional, social, spiritual reality?
When?
How long do I have to wait?
Is it something I feel or just believe in?
Do I cry too much?
Is it wrong that I encounter God while listening to Coldplay?
If I never feel “busy”, am I doing enough?
Why is golf so addicting?
Why do I still view myself as a high school senior?
Will my son grow up to do great things?
How can I be part of that?
How did I ever catch a fish like Katy?
Was she heavily medicated at the time?
Why isn't there time travel yet?
Don't you know there are a zillion things I would do different?
If I fail, am I a failure?
Do you know how talented you are?  Yes…you…the one reading this.
Does the worship band know what they’re capable of?
Can I ever overcome my weaknesses?
Is there victory in this world, or is it something to only hope for in the life to come?
Can I have just one good night of sleep?
Why am I so cantankerous?
Why am I so prideful and arrogant?
Is it because I really think I am always right, or is it because I am afraid to be wrong?
Are all of these questions good questions?
Do I get anywhere in life without asking them?
Thank you for your answer…that’s what I needed to hear…
I love you too.

If I’m alone in having seasons of “thought battles” in my head, please stop reading.  If you resonate with some of the things rolling around in my head, I simply offer you words inspired by God, written by Paul:  “Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6, 7)

I have been criticized before for having “wacky thoughts”.  Some might say they come from a tradition which takes the “ignore it and it’ll go away” approach.  Wacky thoughts aren’t always wrong, but how we deal with them can be wrong.  Scripture is perfectly clear with what we’re to do with uncertainty…confusion…fear…regret…passion…insecurity:  lay your turmoil at the feet of our Savior and He will bring a peace that surpasses any understanding.  While on earth, Christ would begin and end most of his conversations and teachings by saying “Peace be with you”.  He could’ve said, “Have a great day” or “See ya later”…however, Christ spoke peace into the lives of those He was around because He knew the needs around Him.
I deal with doubt…I know you do too.  Paul admitted in when he wrote to the Romans:
It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin." (Romans 7:21-25)

But…then Paul says this:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death." (Romans 8:1-2)

So, lets conclude with a simple bit of wisdom:
When our thoughts have turned into 15 foot waves rather than still waters, let’s take prisoners:  “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) This means you and I need to take these thoughts and doubts and claim power over them.  No matter how overpowering and gigantic the impossibilities may seem, pray and ask God to rid them from your life having the confidence that He is fully capable and willing to do so because He loves you.

When you claim victory over your doubts…when you ask God to still your waters…a peace that passes all understanding will move into your life.