Passwords, Post-it Notes™ and Promises by Kim Jackson

I plop down in my chair, sigh, and begin to log on to my work computer.

If frustration had a face, it would look remarkably like mine. But then I type my computer password, Romans 8:28. As my fingers type, I mentally rehearse this Scripture verse: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose."

Another sigh. “OK, Lord, please take this frustrating situation and work through it for my good and your glory.”

Every few months my work computer prompts me to change my password. It requires a combination of capital and lower case letters, symbols and numbers. I’ve discovered that Scripture verse references are the perfect password—for more reasons than one.

In the midst of a chaotic workday, it’s much harder for me to remain upset, grumpy or otherwise out of sorts when I am typing a reference to one of God’s promises. And since my work computer logs me off if I don’t pay attention to it for a while, I have many opportunities to be reminded of God’s truth as I use my Scripture password to log back on.

I’ve noticed a connection in the passwords I’ve been led to choose.
The circumstances around me the day I chose my first password warranted God’s promise found in Romans 8:28. When prompted to change passwords a few months later, I was pressing in with God regarding direction, so I chose Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.)

My next choice was Phil. 4:13, (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength) followed by Eph. 3:20 (Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…). My current password is Psalm 100:5 (For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.)

The next time my computer prompts me to change my password I will take a minute to be quiet before the Lord and sense what Scripture reference will be his choice for me to type frequently for the next 90 days.

Using Scripture references as computer passwords is one way to accomplish what a pastor friend of mine calls “having a word from God consistently operating in your mind.”

Another simple way to do this is to write a reference, truth based in Scripture, or personalized promise on a post-it note™ and place it somewhere you will see it several times each day. The current bright pink “sticky” on the dashboard of my car proclaims “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” And this morning when I brushed my teeth, the lime green paper square stuck to my bathroom mirror reminded me “Kim Jackson’s life is God-led adventure.”

The Holy Spirit has been faithful to partner with my passwords and post-it notes™. So many times the Scripture reference I type or the timing of reading the note is just right and I know I am hearing a word from God for my present situation. I like to call it being “zung!”

But even when it is not a “zinger,” seeing God’s promises randomly throughout the day reminds me to focus on His truth. Of course the next step is that I have to cooperate with God and rely on him to fulfill the truth of his promises. I’ll be honest: some days I’m more successful than others.

As this new year begins and we continue to dive deep in to God’s Word, I would encourage each of us to also be open to these simple ways to be strengthened (Psalm 119:28) as we put our hope in his truth (Psalm 119:74) and are comforted and challenged by it throughout every day of 2011.

Kim is a speaker and writer. In June 2011 she started working with formerly homeless "elder orphans" in Romania. To read about her interesting ministry, go to: Elder Orphan Care.