For years when I have found myself in a stressful situation or things seem chaotic or out of control I've said out loud to myself (and whoever is around) that "God is in control."
And I still say that often.
But today, I received a new phrase I want to share with you that might prove useful. It was shared in today's Jesus Calling entry. It would have come in handy for me yesterday because I had a few hours of bleakness. I shouldn't have. I mean I have tons of blessings in my life. I have a lovely lovely LOVELY life. But I still get those times when I feel lost a bit inside my life, inside my head, inside churning emotions.
Here's the phrase and it is straight from the Bible from Genesis 28: "Surely, the Lord is in this place."
I could have used that yesterday. I should have said, "Jane, surely the Lord is in this place."
I will from now on when those bleak times come. You can use it too. It is a reminder to us to focus on Jesus.
I looked up the word Mantra online and here are some of the definitions:
man·tra noun \ˈmän-trə also ˈman- or ˈmən-\: a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated by someone who is praying or meditating
: a word or phrase that is repeated often or that expresses someone's basic beliefs
Another definition states it is a mystical formula of incantation. And that doesn't sound like it jives with Christianity, but we could consider it a prayer. "Surely, the Lord is in this place" could be a call to pray, to talk to Jesus.
Try it. Jesus will give you peace no matter what is going on around you. And boy, when a person is peaceful amid chaos it is a very good thing (for that person and for everyone else).