The Gospel in a Nutshell: Found at the Feet of Jesus Part 4

 

““Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” — John 13:3-5 NIV 

Thank you for coming on this journey with me 🩷

I want to circle back to where this all began—those moments when your mind won’t rest.

The replaying.

The remembering.

The revisiting of things that hurt… or things you wish had gone differently.

I’ve learned that when my mind starts going there, I can’t just let it run.

I have to stop… and redirect it.

Scripture tells us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). And I don’t believe that only applies to obviously sinful thoughts—I believe it applies here too.

Because those spirals?

The ones filled with shame, regret, and self-criticism?

Those aren’t leading us toward life.

So now, when I notice it happening, I pause.

And instead of rehearsing what went wrong…

I begin to rehearse what is true.

Because the Bible never tells us to dwell on our mistakes or bad experiences.

It tells us to remember God.

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” — Psalm 77:11

“Remember the wonders he has done…” — Psalm 105:5

“Remember how the Lord your God led you…” — Deuteronomy 8:2

We can start with Jesus—what He has done for us through His life, His sacrifice, His resurrection, and His love.

And then we can move into our own lives.

How has God shown up for you?

How has He:

• provided for you

• comforted you

• grown you

• carried you through hard seasons

• loved you through others

• gently corrected and guided you

Every good thing… comes from Him. (James 1:17) 

And that is what we anchor our minds to.

Philippians 4 gives us such a clear path forward:

“Do not be anxious about anything… but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God… And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…Whatever is true… noble… right… pure… lovely… admirable… think about such things.” — Philippians 4:6–8

This is more than encouragement—it’s instruction.

And I’ve learned not to wait until I’m lying awake at night to practice it.

I build it into my daily life.

I start my prayers with thanksgiving—no matter what is going on.

I intentionally reflect on what God has done.

And over time, I’ve seen something change in me.

I can look back and see where God has brought me from:

• From anxiety and heaviness… to peace and stability.
• From trying to fit into others’ expectations… to understanding who God created me to be.
• From feeling unloved… to being deeply loved—and finally understanding God’s love for me.

Shame is a tool the enemy uses to tear us down.

But remembering God’s faithfulness?

That’s a tool He uses to steady us.

So when your mind won’t rest… You don’t have to stay there.

You can redirect it.

You can anchor it.

You can bring it back to truth.

Jesus’ words: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10 NIV 

🩷 A Final Invitation

If you’re reading this and you’re unsure about your relationship with God…

If you feel like you don’t have anything to “look back on” yet—no foundation to redirect your thoughts to…

I would truly love to talk with you. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

✨ Closing Thought

In what ways has God shown up in your life? What has He brought you to or through. How has He grown you emotionally or spiritually? Write about it, and then thank Him for what He’s done.

You don’t have to keep replaying what Jesus already came to wash.