plans for the new year
This week, we start a new year. It’s often a time when people set goals, make resolutions, establish plans and take new steps for change in their lives.
During this time, I like to set aside a few days to fast and pray so that I can seek God for a vision or strategy for the year. “What’s my focus this year? What do I need to press into, Lord?” Interestingly, God always gives me a scripture for the new year, and that scripture very clearly directs my steps throughout the year. Once I know what the scripture is, I put it at the top of my journal in bold and large font. That way, when I open up my electronic journal in the morning, it’s the first thing I see all year long.
I want to encourage you to seek God and let him give you a vision for the new year. To demonstrate this, let me share with you the scriptures that the Lord gave me at the beginning of the past four years.
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In 2005, it was imply “Here am I. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). 2005 was a very exciting time for my family and me. I resigned my cushy, corporate job, and started my own media production company. It was a step of faith, but I was ready to be sent. Very exciting!
In 2006, my scripture was “Run towards the goal with purpose in every step” (1 Corinthians 9:26). At the beginning of 2006, I set a new goal of producing a feature film. Amazingly, by the end of 2006, I received all of the funding to make the movie.
In 2007, my scripture was “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down” (Hebrews 12:1). With the funding for our feature film in place, it was now time to run. But to run efficiently, I had to strip off every weight that was hindering me. 2007 was a very busy, but cleansing year for me.
For 2008, my scripture has been “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight” (Isaiah 45:2). This year has been a year of preparation for my family and me. I’m still not sure what for, but as I press into God over the next weeks for 2009, I know that he will give me clarity and direction. I am giddy with excitement about what this new year holds for our family.
I know in my heart that the Lord wanted me to share these scriptures with you to encourage you to seek him. He has such great plans for you: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
The Lord has wonderful, great plans for you this year. Take some time to listen and hear what those plans are.
Prayer: Father, I commit these next few weeks to you. Help me put aside any physical, emotional or mental distractions so that I can draw closer to you, and hear your plans for me this year.
body, soul and spirit: the spirit
For the past two weeks, I’ve talked about the importance of treating our entire self–body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Last week’s message dealt with the soul. The week before was about the body. This week, I want to talk about the spirit.
When talking about the soul last week, I accredited counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists for developing effective techniques in treating the mind, will and emotions–the soul. But, for most secular treatments, the spirit of a person is completely neglected. Only two thirds of our “self” is being treated.
But just as some people only treat the body and the soul, there are others who think that only treating the spirit will solve all of the problems with panic attacks and anxiety. I don’t agree. Treating the spirit is critical to healing, but so is treating the body and soul. Just treating the spirit may get you into heaven, but neglecting the body and soul will make your life miserable. All three areas must be considered.
So, what is our spirit? I’ve heard it best described like this: we are a spirit who has a soul and lives in a body. God is spirit (John 4:24), and we were created in his image (Genesis 1:27). Simply put, we are not human beings having a spiritual experience–we are spiritual beings having a human experience.
When you were born into this world, you were born spiritually dead. The eyes of your heart were not open to the reality of the spiritual world around you. As we learn and grow in this world, our spiritual eyes begin to open. Then, when the reality of Christ’s work on the cross pierces our heart and we turn our lives over to him, then we are spiritually born, or born again.
Nicodemus could not understand this principle. Jesus told him, “Unless you are born again, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (John 3:3).
“What? Born again? I am already born. How can I be born again?” The questions raced through his mind. His spiritual eyes were not open.
Then Jesus summed it all up in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
I encourage you to consider this spiritual element of healing. In dealing with anxiety and panic, are you treating your entire being or only part of it? Do you only address the soul and body because that’s all the world teaches you need to address?
If you’ve never committed your life to Christ, I encourage you to take that first step towards healing–body, soul AND spirit. Prayer this prayer: “Dear heavenly Father, I know my spiritual eyes are blind to the reality of your existence. I am spiritually dead. I know I am a sinner living in a sinful world. Please forgive me for my mistakes, my failures and my rebellion towards you. Please forgive me of my sin. I confess these sins to you right now. I ask that you would forgive me. Lord Jesus, come into my life and change me. Fill my heart with your thoughts and your desires. Teach me how to surrender my body, soul and spirit to you. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!”
If you’ve prayed that prayer for the first time, please let me know. I want to rejoice with you, and welcome you to the Family of God.
Body, Soul, & Spirit: The Soul
Last week, I explained the importance of treating our entire self–body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Last week’s message was about treating the body. This week, I want to talk about treating the soul.
What is the soul? It is that part of us that thinks, remembers and makes decisions. Our soul experiences emotions, memories and fear. The definition of “soul” often taught in churches is the “mind, will and emotions.”
So, how do you treat the soul? If there is one area that counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists have excelled in treating panic attacks, it is the area of the soul. Treatments like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy have done wonders for people battling anxiety and panic.
To treat the soul, we must start by changing the way we think. Somewhere in our past, a bad experience, tragic event or trauma to the soul has corrupted our thinking process. Dealing with everyday thoughts has become a challenge. We feed the fear with more fearful thoughts, triggering the body to respond. The cycle is vicious.
First, the mind. The Bible says in Romans 12:2 that we should “not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” This is a powerful truth. The patterns of this world speak an ungodly message–the deceit, despair and infidelity of a soap opera; the murders, shootings and corruption revealed in the evening news; the lust, lies and unrealistic ideals of a beer commercial. What is going into your mind?
Don’t conform to the patterns of this world. Rather, be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Through prayer, worship, Bible study and time alone with God, you can renew your mind. And, it’s not a one-time thing–it’s a daily experience. We need to daily experience God in refreshing ways. We need to make that heavenly connection.
Next, the will. Choosing how to respond to the onslaught of fearful thoughts directly involves our will.
I think about Jesus in the garden of Gethsamane when he was faced with fearful thoughts. I can’t even imagine what must have been going through his mind. He knew the kind of tortuous death that awaited him. He even prayed three times for God to show him another way–another way to restore man’s relationship with God. Yet, he ended his prayer with this: “Lord, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22;42). He chose not to respond to the fear, but rather to God.
Finally, the emotions. I’ve heard people say, “Well, God never wants us to be emotional about things.” I don’t believe that. God has emotions–anger, joy, frustration, happiness, sadness, excitement. God is an emotional God, and we are created in his image (Genesis 1:26). I think the problem is when our emotions get the best of us. We should control our emotions, not let them control us.
One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:23), and when emotions rise up within us, taking control of our soul, we need to cry out to God for strength to manage our emotions. Yes, we can experience emotions. They are the spice of life. But when they control us, that spice quickly becomes bitter.
Treating the soul is very important in treating anxiety and panic attacks. I encourage you find ways to address each of the areas described in this message. Ask God for wisdom on how to renew your mind, respond to his will and regulate your emotions. In doing so, you will bring Godly balance into your life.
Prayer: Father, you created us to have a soul–a mind, a will, emotions. And when you created us, you said it was good. Our mind is good. Our will is good. Our emotions are good. Lord, help us renew our mind and heal our emotions.
just believe
Has your hope dwindled down to nothing? Have you completely given up on ever being free from this tormenting fear? Is there any light at the end of your tunnel?
For years, my hope waned, dwindling down to almost nothing. Total despair and discouragement was quickly setting in. The anxiety and fear had so gripped my life that carrying out my normal daily routines was nearly impossible. But even in the despair, there was the smallest inkling of hope. I knew deep down in my heart that I was not created to live like this.
Speaking prophetically of Jesus, Isaiah writes: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering ember he will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3). I knew Jesus would not abandon me nor snuff out what little ember of hope I had left. Let me share how Jesus can renew your hope and spark a new kind of faith in you.
The synagogue’s daughter was deathly ill. Jairus frantically searched to find Jesus, because he knew that Jesus could heal his daughter and keep her from dying. He quickly found the Healer and pleaded with him to come to his house where he could pray for his 12-year old daughter.
But while on the way, Jesus was detained by a lady who had touched the hem of his garment. She was healed, and Jesus looked around and questioned who had touched him. Meanwhile, Jairus was probably way ahead of the group calling out to Jesus, “Come on! Hurry! My daughter is very ill, and we need you to pray. Hurry!”
As they approached the house, later than planned, Jarius’ servants came outside looking very sad. His daughter had died. Jairus cried out, “If only we had gotten here sooner.” Yet, even death could not stop Jesus. He turned to Jairus and said two simple sentences–two sentences that can renew your hope and your faith that God wants to make you whole:
Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe” (Luke 8:50).
When those overwhelming thoughts would come crashing in and my mind would begin to race, it was almost as if I could hear Jesus speaking those words to me: “Russ, don’t be afraid. Just believe.” Yes, it is hard to stand still when your body is numb with fear and your mind is racing out of control. But God is with you. He will not leave you alone.
“Well Russell, you don’t understand what I’ve been through. I’ve seen all the doctors. I’ve talked with all the counselors and psychiatrists. I’ve tried every medication known to man, and nothing is working for me. I fight and struggle and lose this battle to fear constantly, daily, every hour. It is just impossible for me to have any hope.”
As instruments of God’s healing, I do believe in doctors and medication along wise counsel, but ultimately, my hope is not in them. Listen carefully to the truths in these two verses of scriptures. I pray these words from your Father will rekindle your hope and spark your faith:
“What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
“Anything is possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
This week, I encourage you with the words Jesus: “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.”
Prayer: Lord, I believe. I believe you are more than able to help me get free from fear. I know that your will is for me to live a life full of peace and rest. Lord, I put my trust in you.
through the storm
During an evening service one night at church, there was a great time of worship and singing. I could feel the presence and peace of God. I prayed for God’s strength and courage to face my fears. As I closed my eyes, I saw this mental picture–a small wooden boat fighting hard against a huge, powerful storm.
I begin to think about this dark and stormy scene, applying it to my own life. Here I was, a small boat, fighting hard against what seemed like an invincible storm–a storm of fear. As the huge waves came crashing in, the boat was barely visible. I felt just like that small boat–thrashed, thrown, tossed up and down by the waves of terror and turmoil.
But, there was something very interesting about this scene: the boat was headed directly into the storm, waves crashing against the bow. The boat wasn’t being driven by the storm. Rather, it was driving directly into the storm.
Now, I have no naval or sea-faring skills, but I will share what I have learned. When a storm approaches, the best course of action for any watercraft is to steer directly into the oncoming storm. First of all, this provides the most stable course for the vessel. If the boat is sideways when the storm hits, the smallest of waves can easily topple the craft. Secondly, if the boat is being driven by the storm, rather than against it, then the storm experience will last much longer, because you are being carried by the storm (read Acts 27).
I believe this picture I “saw” last night was God’s way of showing me that I must face my fears head on, that I must steer my life right into the storm. (Psychiatrists call this “Exposure Therapy”, where you confront your fears directly.) It’s not a pleasant experience. In fact, it takes a lot of courage. But I believe with all of my heart that God will be with me as I enter the storms of discouragement and doubt.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.
The LORD on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.Psalms 93:3-4
We live in a stormy world, and those worldly waves will crash hard against you. You can seek out the most comfortable course, but the storms will continue to rage. You can’t outrun them. It’s only when you charge headstrong into the storm that you will get through the storm. And always remember God is bigger than the storm, and he promises to guide you and protect you if you will trust in him.
Prayer: Father, storms can be very fearful. They are so strong, so powerful. I don’t want to face these storms alone. Give me the strength and courage I need to turn my life directly into the storm so that I can pass through it quickly. Be with me in these storms.
can you trust me?
On a business trip one year, I traveled to Japan for work. I remember sitting there in my hotel room on the 37th floor in downtown Tokyo. As I peered out the huge window gazing upon the sea of buildings and lights, I could see the hints of sunrise off in the distance.
A thought came to my mind as I sat there: Tokyo is famous for earthquakes. If one were to happen right now, this building could easily crumble to the ground, and I could die.
So, I prayed: “Lord, this is kind of scary.”
His words rang through my spirit, “Can you trust me?”
“Yes Lord, I trust you. I trust you with my life and with my death. I trust you with all that I am and with all that I have.” (John 14:1).
The fear melted away.
Just two days before that hotel experience, I had boarded a plane from Dallas to Tokyo. Thirteen hours in a cramped cabin flying 6 miles above the ground at almost 10 times the speed I drive my car could be terrifying. But again I prayed, “Lord, I trust you with all my heart” (Proverbs 3:5).
Away from my family, more fearful thoughts about their safety filled my mind. Again, a prayer, “Lord, I entrust my family to your care. You are more than able to guard them and keep them safe” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Learning to trust God has been the cornerstone to freedom from panic. Anxiety and fear can easily consume my mind when those fearful thoughts are not dealt with. The cycle of “what if’s” can spin wildly out of control. It’s a cycle most of you know very well.
“Well Russell, you have such strong faith. It’s easy for you to trust God.” Constantly, people write to me with these kinds of comments. But, it’s not as easy as they claim. I still battle fearful thoughts. The cycle of “what if’s” still sneaks its way into my mind. Strong faith does not equal perfect peace. Perfect peace comes from total trust.
One aspect of faith is how you respond to the crumbling world around you, especially when you can’t understand all the reasons why. Can you trust God even when nothing makes sense? Can you trust him with your life? With your death? Can you trust him even when you don’t understand?
When those fearful thoughts come crashing in, I’ve learned to cry out in prayer: “Lord, I don’t really understand why this is happening, but I will trust you. I want to run and scream and panic! But, I will stand still and not give in to the fear. I will trust you.”
I encourage you this week with Proverbs 3:5, my life scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.” Trusting God is the foundation of faith. When you can place all of your trust in your Father, especially when nothing makes sense, then his “peace that passes all understanding will fill your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer: Lord, I want to trust you more. Teach me to trust in the midst of fear. Teach me to rest in the midst of the storms.
the sabbath principle
Rest is so important for anyone dealing with anxiety and stress. Our bodies were not created for intense, non-stop activity. Down time is a physical and mental requirement if we are to experience any peace in our life.
Only within the last few decades has mankind been able to travel around the world with such ease and speed. We live in an age of technology that allows us to zip around the world in a matter of hours and minutes. Supersonic jets, e-mail, Federal Express and Internet all provide avenues by which we run with such great intensity.
That’s why I’ve started implementing what I call the “sabbath principle”. I’m not talking about the ceremonial Sabbath as required by Jewish Law. No, what I’m referring to is simply an appointed time of rest–a sabbath time of rest. Whether or not you observe the Biblical Sabbath is completely between you and God.
As for the “sabbath principle”, I’m trying each day to set aside appointed times of rest. Between breakfast and lunch, a 15-minute sabbath. Between lunch and dinner, another 15-minute sabbath. Then, when I get home from a busy day at work, another sabbath.
After working all week and getting all my personal chores done on Saturday, I take a daily sabbath. Sunday is our family day with no chores, no responsibilities, no distractions. We just eat and sleep and occasionally go out and do family things. It is day of rest.
I still get overwhelmed with things at work and miss my appointed times of rest, only the face the consequences of anxiety and stress later. But, I’m learning more and more just how important these sabbaths are.
We are adaptive creatures. God created us that way. When exposed to a hot or cold environment, we adapt. When walking outside into the bright sunlight, our eyes adapt. But, adaptability also has a down side. When faced with a deadline or tense situation, we wind ourselves up pumping more adrenaline in your bodies. This speeds up our thinking, making us more productive and efficient. We meet the demand. But in most cases, we never take time to wind down and recover. Rather, we adapt to this level of intensity. Then, when faced with another project, another deadline, another tense situation, we wind ourselves up again pushing our body and mind to the brink of overload.
We must take time to slow down and rest. We must give our minds and bodies the needed time to recover. If not, we will burn out and overheat just like an engine pushed to its limits. This week, I encourage you to implement the sabbath principle into your life. Set aside some time to rest. Schedule it if you have to. Take time to be still before the Lord and enjoy the peace he has waiting for you.
“May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest…”коли под наем (Ruth 1:9a).
Prayer: Father, help me slow down. Help me rest in you, for you are my life. Give me the wisdom to know when I am pushing myself too hard. I choose this week to rest in you.
sunsets
I love sunsets. A few days ago while returning home from a business trip, I was again overwhelmed at the beauty of a sunset. As the plane began its descent into the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the sun had just set below the horizon. The bright, blue sky slowly transformed into a deep orange. The beauty of it brought me to tears as I began to ponder the wonder of God.
Staring through that small, oval window, I thought back to other sunsets I had seen in my life. A few of them, I can remember so vividly. As I recalled each of those memorable sunset experiences, I discovered an incredible similarity: the most beautiful sunsets always followed an intense storm.
One evening, during my senior year at college in Austin, a tornado ripped through the area touching down in various parts of the city. We sat in our living room watching the local news, tracking the storm’s movements across the area. Amazingly, the brunt of the storm passed right over us. We could hear the powerful winds outside ripping through trees.
But, the storm passed quickly, and everyone jumped back into the daily grind of things. I, on the other hand, went outside to survey the damage. Tree limbs were broken. Leaves were scattered. The wrath of the winds became obvious.
As I stepped out into the street trying to track the tail-end of the storm, I gazed upon one of the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen. I quickly ran in and told my friends, “Come look at this!” They were reluctant at first but eventually agreed. Standing there in the street, we stared in awe at the thick thunderheads that were painted purple and orange. It was beautiful!
Our lives are full of storms. Storms of panic and fear. Storms that destroy and discourage. And just like the storms in Texas, these storms of life blow in quickly, doing lots of damage. Other times, they linger creating havoc and chaos. We question “Why, Lord?” We stomp our feet and cry out to God for comfort. Too often, it seems, our answer is painful silence.
Staring at that sunset just a few days ago from the plane, I sensed the still, small voice of the Lord say, “Russ, storms will come. It’s inevitable. But, where the storms destroy, I can rebuild. I can create the most beautiful sunset from any storm that blows into your life.”
You can make it through the storm with God’s help. Trust in him, and remember that God “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).
Prayer: Father, while in the storm, it is so hard to see the beauty that can come of it. It just seems too powerful, too overwhelming, too destructive. Give me a glimpse of the sunset you have in mind for this storm. Give me the courage and peace to trust you in this dark hour.
financial anxiety
When you think of money or finances, is your stomach in knots? Is the upcoming holiday season starting to stress you out? What about the current financial crisis? Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Are you constantly fretting layoffs or “restructuring”?
Finances can be a very anxious experience for many, even those who are well off. Managing money can be very stressful. Many couples that divorce in the US do so because of problems with money. It’s an incredibly serious issue in people’s lives.
Can you find peace in stressful financial situations? Can finances really become a place of peace and rest, or must they always be feared and anxiety-provoking?
When it comes to our financial economy, our country is in serious trouble. Consumer debt is at an all time high. Credit companies have made it so easy to “buy now and pay later”. For one small monthly fee, you can have whatever you want. How many of those “small monthly fees” do you have?
This credit-driven lifestyle has made it too easy to spend more than we make. I recently read a statistic on consumer spending in America. Through most of the 1900’s, people spent on average about 30% less than what they made. That means people were saving money. Today, the average American spends more than they earn. That means nothing is being saved. Nothing is put away for unforeseen circumstances.
I can see why financial anxiety is rampant these days. The loss of a job, an emergency house repair, the car breaks down, again–all can be terribly stressful when it comes finances.
So, is there hope? Can you be free from financial anxiety? I shout a hearty YES. You can be free. But, it may take time and serious discipline. It probably took you years to get where you are now. For many, it’ll take years to dig yourself out of the financial pit. But, here’s the beautiful thing–God is faithful and he cares for you, even your finances.
Today, my wife and I live in financial freedom. And it’s not because we have lots of money. On the contrary, we live very modestly. As a freelance producer, our finances ebb and flow depending on projects. Our financial freedom is a result of solid money management skills and the discipline to live by those skills.
We live on a budget, we no longer use credit cards, we only buy used cars, and at the end of each month, we have money left over. Amazingly, we don’t feel at all constricted by this lifestyle. Quite the opposite. This lifestyle has given us incredible freedom.
“But you don’t know where we are. We’ve maxed out our credit cards? My husband lost his job. These medical bills keep getting higher and higher. We can barely get by.”
Here’s the most important message I learned about finances: it’s not a matter of how much or how little you make; it’s a matter of your heart. Financial freedom starts in your heart. Listen to what Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be” (Matthew 6:21).
Where is your treasure? A new car, a big house, a pair of jeans, your 401K? Or, is your treasure in your family, your peace, or God? You see, where you put your money is where your heart is. Your money always follows your heart. So, make sure your heart is right when it comes to finances.
When my wife and I first got married, we were in debt. I was into new cars, new stereo equipment, new things. So when I prayed for financial freedom, I expected God to deposit a big sum of money into my account. What he did, though, was deposit incredible financial wisdom into my heart. You see, financial freedom starts in your heart.
If you’re struggling with finances, I want to encourage you that you can be free from financial anxiety. God desires to help you, first with your heart and then with your finances. I have seen God move in amazing ways when it comes to finances, both in my life and in the lives of those we have counseled. There are great resources to help you in this journey towards financial freedom. Dave Ramsey and Crown Financial are two great resources to get started.
Prayer: Father, I need your help with finances. Financial anxiety is consuming me. I’ve made some bad money decisions in the past, and the financial consequences are overwhelming. First, change my heart. Then, give me a strategy to get my finances under control. Help me start down the road to financial freedom.
going exercisin’
“Daddy?” asked Caleb. “Can we go exercisin’?”
I like to run after work, and there are times when I get home, throw on some jogging clothes and go for a quick run around the block. Most of the time Caleb would ask, “Daddy, are you going exercisin’?” I’d respond, “Yes.”
A few years ago, Caleb wanted to go running. He donned his jogging shorts, a Barney tee shirt and his running shoes. “Let’s go, Daddy!” He was ready to run around the block.
At four years old, his style of running was “unperfected”. He was weaving and stumbling occasionally. But, he was exercising.
As we ran, I’d let him take the lead, and I followed closely behind. When he ran, he would often turn his head to see where I was. In doing so, he would stray off the sidewalk onto someone’s yard, nearly missing a mailbox or a parked car.
As we stopped during one of our frequent breaks, I told Caleb that he should always look forward when he was running. I explained that looking back would cause him to slow down and stray off course.
So, we did a running drill. I told to look at a lamppost off in the distance. “Now, focus on that lamppost. It’s your goal. Don’t look back to see how I’m doing. Just focus on the lamppost.” He agreed, “Okay Daddy.”
With his elbows swinging and his little legs chugging along, he ran straight for the lamppost. Even when I talked to him as he ran, he wouldn’t turn back and look. He ran straight for the lamppost, and a tad bit faster, I might add.
The lesson Caleb learned yesterday is a lesson for us as well. When running this race called life, we should not look back. Whether it’s a haunting past or a chance to eye the competition, looking back can be dangerous. In focusing on our past, we lose sight of the Goal. Looking back slows us down and can stray us dangerously off course. Rather, we should keep our eyes on the lamppost.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1b-3).
Prayer: Lord, help me keep me eyes on the goal. Guard my heart from distractions and the anything that would throw me off course.