Posted by Robert White

Dr. Robert White was raised in central Florida and completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida. After college, he completed the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. For more than 40 years he has served as pastor of churches in Florida and in Massachusetts. In October 2016, Dr. White joined Care For Pastors as a Pastoral Counselor/Coach. Robert currently resides with his wife, Kaye, in Leesburg, Florida.

Posted by Robert White

    The One Filter Every Believer Needs

    Wednesday, October 23, 2019

    “How do I overcome these negative thoughts and feelings?”

    Our conversation that day was typical of the many conversations we have with believers who are struggling. They experience the same fears, frustrations, feelings, and failures that all of us have faced at some time.

    Even the great King David had doubts and fears. Just read Psalm 13:

    “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?”
    How long will you hide your face from me?”
    How long must I take counsel in my soul
    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?”
    How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?”

    Believers cannot allow thoughts and feelings to go unfiltered. We simply cannot trust that all our thoughts and feelings are TRUE. Therefore, we must have a truth filter in place to check those thoughts and monitor those feelings.

    I might feel like God has abandoned me, but is that TRUE? No, the truth is that God will never leave us nor forsake us.

    I might think that God doesn’t really care about me, but is that TRUE? No, the truth is that God cares about everything that I am going through now and every day. “Casting all your cares on HIM for HE cares for you.”

    I might think that God has forgotten me, but is that TRUE? No, the truth is that God is at work in and around our lives every moment of every day. “He who began a good work in you will continue it to the day of its completion.”

    Satan, the enemy, is the father of all lies. He lies to us about our identity. He lies to us about God. He lies to us about our past, our forgiveness, about God’s grace, God’s love, God’s presence, God’s power, and God’s plans. The enemy is a liar. Therefore, we must have a truth filter in place.

    Thoughts and feelings that are allowed to go unfiltered, become the basis of strongholds. The enemy establishes a lie, reinforces that lie, and now, instead of believing the TRUTH, we end up believing a lie.

    “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

    When the enemy tries to lie to you with feelings and thoughts that are contrary to Scripture, just remind him of your true identity in Christ.

    “Because of Christ’s redemption, I am a new creation of great worth. I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing to the Father, totally accepted by God and absolutely complete in Christ.”

    And that’s the TRUTH.

    Pastors, you don’t have to struggle alone. Care for Pastors provides a safe place to navigate through those challenges you are facing. Church conflicts, empathy fatigue, and marital challenges are things we all have faced. Reach out to us and let us help.

    Help us continue providing resources of care for pastors and their families.

    2 Comments

    1. Matt Ohman

      Thank you. This is such a timely encouragement for me today.

      Reply
      • Robert White

        We are grateful whenever God uses one of our blogs to encourage others. Thank you for your response. Blessings.

        Reply

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