Commands and Promises

When I was expecting Ben I couldn't help but worry that I would fall into the same depression that I had after Claire was born. I wanted to do anything I could to be able to enjoy my new baby and this very special time in my family's life. I spent a lot of time praying and asking God what I could do to prepare for the overwhelming moments that having a baby would inevitably bring. I realized that I needed some tools to keep me on the track of trusting God and to help me combat the urge to try to control everything which only leads me to anxiety and depression. I knew I needed something to hang on to when things got difficult but wasn't sure what that would be. One Thursday morning at the mom's group I attend we were having a Bible study and the leader was talking about God's commands and promises. We were each given many verses that tell us what God asks of us and what he promises in return. When I got home I read through each of these verses and felt compelled to right down all the commands and promises I read. They were as follows:

Commands:
1) Take my thoughts captive and make them obedient to God
2) Focus on good, true and right things
3) Meditate on God's word day and night
4) Overflow with thankfulness and joy
5) Trust God and don't worry or be anxious about anything
6) Speak life
7) Treasure commands and ask for wisdom
Promises:
1) God will protect me
2) God will guide me
3) God will complete me
4) God will give me wisdom
5) God will give me peace

This is definitely not a complete list of all the commands and promises God gives us but I felt it was a good start. After that I worked on memorizing my lists and realized that these words had a profound and powerful effect on me. By reciting them to myself I was able to see the truth in stressful situations and remember to give my worries to God. 
After Ben was born these commands and promises were my tool for staying focused and not letting my tiredness and the uncertainty each day would bring lead me down a road I did not want to travel again. I said these commands and promises over and over, every time I lay down to rest and every time I got up to feed Ben or take care of Claire. Any time I could feel anxiety and worry creeping into my mind I would recite them in my head until I was free of these imprisoning thoughts and feelings. 
Ben is now almost 3 months old and even though I have definitely had my bad days and have even started down that path to feeling depressed and out of control, each time I recite these lists to myself I am brought back into a place of peace.