Devotionals (24)
An inward revival radiates out. You can’t help it because the joy of the Lord bubbles out flowing onto anyone that passes. This is who I want to be in 2021, no not just want CALLED!
My hope does not rest in the current circumstances of our world. Darkness wants to rule over us and tell us this situation or that situation will steal something from us. Honestly, I’m not interested in the opinion of man, whether I agree with the opinion or not. In the long run it doesn’t matter. My hope resides in the promise that God is with me. No one can take that from me.
I believe God told me last summer to go and serve Him no matter how I feel. He can protect me but there may be “deep waters” I will have to go through, and He will be there. (Isaiah 43:2) So I served, one eye on the circumstance and the other on the Lord.
Romans 12:2 inspires me to get both eyes on the Lord and away from the dark. It now seems customary to share negative opinions, showering them over whomever is nearby. I repent of any way I have contributed to this and ask God to transform me. Our mind holds the key to renewal when we willingly surrender our thoughts to Jesus.
Reading through this verse let’s dig in and apply it. When we daily allow Holy Spirit to transform our way of thinking we learn to live God’s will. This good plan, Agathos in Greek, holds a promise to not only possess a good nature but a useful one. A usefulness that bubbles over with joyful and honorable actions. This alone is complete we don’t have to do anything else and others will notice the change.
With that I am letting going of criticism and embracing altruism. Although not necessarily the antithesis of one another the first often hampers the care for others. Revive my spirit Lord so that I can revive others.
Father forgive me for my wrong thinking. Help me to shed my cultural mindset and to daily look to YOU for renewal. Mold my heart and mind to you so that I am empowered to love the way YOU love. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Thanksgiving 2020 feels like un-holiday. For many of us, extended family will not gather. Full tables with empty chairs make for a bleak celebration. Such an outlook can contribute to our despair instead of filling us with gratitude. We need to tilt this holiday on its side. This year will be different but not bad. Gratitude, the center of this holiday, focuses on what we celebrate the good opposed to focusing on what we’ve lost.
In the book Beautiful Resistance by Jon Tyson, he highlights the importance of celebrating God’s goodness. This reminds us that He provides the blessings in our life. It forces a pause to look for the good in the busyness of life that we often overlook. I don’t want to do that anymore; I want to embrace the good.
There are multiple Hebrew and Greek words used for the word good throughout Scripture. Its complexity becomes apparent when we search it out. Good, such a simple word, how could it be so complex? The difficulty rests in using words to describe our God. His perfect holiness transcends our own understanding and words fail. Good describes one’s nature as pleasant, agreeable, joyful and happy but it also means excellent, distinguished, upright and honorable. It describes the personality as possessing integrity, virtue, and purity. Further we see it described as precious and beautiful, full of kindness with an upright heart. Wrap that all up with gentleness, mildness, and meekness.
Read through those words again. Let the richness of each word envelop you with its strength and comfort.
Studying God’s goodness reminds me of a plentiful feast. After a season in which much was stripped away, we find a rich banquet set before us. We crave refreshment and sustenance as we sit down to God’s rich table. We take a bite, savoring the flavors as they stimulate our neglected taste buds. At the end of the meal we sit satisfied that God’s goodness met every need. When we nourish ourselves on the complexities of the word it revitalizes us, feeding the joy inside of us.
Psalm 23:6 reminds us that God’s goodness pursues us. God sends good, pleasant, agreeable, and beneficial circumstances into our lives for our welfare daily. Our job is to look for it. Even in times of suffering, good will surface. Caught up in what we don’t possess blinds us to the present blessings. We simply need to turn and let the goodness chasing us catch and surround us. No matter what God is good. That is worth celebrating.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Anger wells up when life seems unfair. Recently, a memory snaked its way back into my mind. That waitress was so rude, why didn’t management get notified. Instead I sat there and took it. Rehearsing the speech, I wish I gave I laid awake for hours. Friends that incident occurred years ago. Why did it slip in now? I don’t know but it was something I needed to get rid of.
After laying there for a while I heard this whisper “Why are you holding onto that offense?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“What are you supposed to do?” The whisper continued.
“Forgive. I forgive that waitress for her insensitivity and the frustration she caused in me. Forgive me for hanging on to this memory like a dog with a bone. I’m so sorry Lord.”
Culturally acceptable, this emotion can cripple us. We allow the imagined argument to swirl around in our heads, feeling justified by the cause.
Ephesians 4:26-27 is a well-known verse among church goers. “And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” It is known but seems so hard to do. It is easy to point out in others but difficult to apply to ourselves. Sometimes we don’t even see the bitterness we are hanging onto.
Sweet old ladies welcome everyone, the mood of the room lightens when they are present. Without complaint emotions are faced and dealt with. Forgiveness can get easier with age but only if it’s regularly applied. Unforgiveness leads to bitterness which leads to an inhospitable environment.
There is a woman at my church who has survived a traumatic childhood. Her teenage years were spent in Germany during World War II. She lost a great deal. She came to the United States as a young woman and became a citizen. Now as an elderly member of our church she calls all of us family. She loves the Lord and lives in gratitude for the life He has given her. She is always ready with a hug and word of encouragement. She gives honest feedback but always delivers truth in love. Her presence invites others in as a strong example to those around her. She is a role model for me but scoffs at me when I tell her so.
When I am angry, I need to remember.
God is good
Vengeance belongs to Him.
The other person who made me angry is made in the image of God
The other person deserves God’s grace as much as I do.
Extending forgiveness benefits both of us.
Choose between a lighthearted or bitter future.
It seems easy yet human nature naturally embraces the trap of regurgitating past hurts. Return to the top of the list fight the urge to hold on lay it at the feet of Jesus. He reminds us that His burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) Always ready for us, He call us, the weary, to Him.
I clenched my hands in my lap as my daughter slipped into last place after swimming a difficult race. Once out of the pool, she sunk to the floor, her body heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Come on girl, it wasn’t that bad. Teammates gathered around her. Should I go down there? I’ve never seen this in her before.
I’d just witnessed my child having the first of many panic attacks. It was a surreal experience, and it reminded me that as a parent, my ability to control my child’s world is an illusion. We could not fix this for her. Seeing my child spiral in her own mental health magnifies my own temptation to worry. As we escorted her back to health, she saw doctors and counselors and gained tools to battle this beast.
As a senior in high school, fear of the future fed her anxiety. Feeling pressured to determine a lifelong career, she struggled to balance her current responsibilities with the best choice to continue her education. We watched as her battle ebbed and flowed, her triggers unpredictable. Unbeknownst to us, this inner conflict had been brewing under the surface for years.
As senior year progressed, her growth in health and faith complemented one another. She took control of her diet and exercise. She questioned promises in Scripture, pressing into the One who created her. She began to understand the Holy Spirit guided her daily through this difficult journey.
She left for college one year into the healing process. Far from us, I cried myself to sleep. Could she do this without our daily support?
As her parents, we prayed and determined to trust Jesus. On particularly bad nights, I lay in bed and repeated “I trust you. I trust you,” until my own fears quieted and I drifted to sleep. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us our “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Our hope rested in Jesus: Even when we did not see her healing, we knew Jesus was at work.
Our faith rested in Jesus.
Our faith hoped for healing.
Our hearts knew Jesus was present even when we didn’t see the evidence.
His presence brought peace when our world seemed so dark.
Today, she is a thriving college junior. Her battle continues, but she wins most days. The healing we hoped for is gradually occurring. Her struggle developed her independence and growth in her own faith.
Our current world circumstances push at our faith to anger and fear but our faith doesn’t rest in what we see. Trust Jesus in the waiting. He brings peace and hope when circumstances feel out of our control.
This morning I am mourning the death of George Floyd. No, I didn’t know him, but he represents the ugly monster of racism that lurks in the shadows around us. Don’t worry this will be gentle post, I’m not going to rant and rave. I’m writing from a mother’s heart, from a perspective that knows gentleness opens hearts. Please recognize that gentleness, like the whole of the fruit of the Sprit, comes from a place of strength. Grief weakens me but, in my weakness, I will allow the Holy Spirit to be strong.
At nine years old, I didn’t understand why we were moving. I loved our two-story home set in the middle of neighborhood block in Flint, Michigan. Heartsick, my parents determined it was time to leave their beloved city. Crime increased around us, they were concerned for the safety of their five daughters, so we packed up and moved out.
For me it felt like a lighthearted adventure. Our new home’s backyard sloped own to a swampy field that then merged with the woods. A nature lover, it was a dream come true. Timid, it took me a while to adjust to the new school, but I did. It was a beautiful setting for a wonderful childhood.
My husband, like myself grew up in the country and we both wanted to give our children a similar childhood. We live in a small town, mostly white, insulated from the conflicts that our city neighbors face daily. Our children are grown, my son moved to Minneapolis in the fall for graduate school at the University of Minnesota. He now lives a short distance from where Mr. Floyd was killed. I can’t hide from racism anymore. It reared its ugly head near my family, I can’t pretend it isn’t real.
Take some time to read Luke 10:25-37, the story of the Good Samaritan. It is time to stop passing by and looking the other way. I will stop and bind the wounds of my neighbors. I may not feel like I’m part of the problem, but my choices haven’t made me part of the solution either.
So, what do we do? First, we pray but not just to pray over the situation but for prayer to empower us to action. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? Where do you need to go to show your neighbor of color love? Jesus commanded us to love God and love our neighbor. Love takes action and He gave us His Spirt to move in that direction. Second, act on what He is telling you to do. I will continue to work with Micah 6 Community in Pontiac, my work there seems insignificant compared to the magnitude of the problem, but it is one small positive thing I can do. What nonprofit can you give your time and money to that will put a nail in the coffin of racism? Third, find businesses that are minority owned and frequent them. Your support empowers small businesses to grow especially in times of economic stress.
Lament with our neighbors over all the losses and a painful history. What I am suggesting is not enough but it is a beginning. I invite you to join me on this journey. I don’t know all the next steps, but I know I have to do something. I hope you will join me.
I look out the window on this overcast day and allow it to dictate my mood. It feels dreary, it
matches my weary soul. I don’t mind staying home; I like it here but the cacophony of online
voices crying out against each other tears at my soul. Conflict always affects me that way, my
natural inclination is to run from it. Away from the noise of social media, I look to the woods in
my backyard. In the last few days the color hues shifted from browns to pale green. Its promise
of new life coming in the regular rhythm of season. Spring, pregnant with new life, produces hope
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reflects the Creator the One who during the quiet season works in the dark places to bring forth
new life. He used this time to unearth in each of us areas He wants to renew. Difficult times
polish our spirit, refining it, shining it, so that when we reach our spring we will burst forth in
bright colors that attract others.
This musing brought me to chapter 2 of the book of Philippians. Our unity is dependent first on
humility, disregarding our own arrogance and self-righteousness. You and I are of equal
importance, we can learn from each other. This path can only be traveled in humility. Philippians
2:3-4 (NIV) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others
above yourselves, (4) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the
others.”
My heart cries out in repentance as I see my own sin. Throughout our sheltering at home the
Lord highlighted idols in my life. In my day to day life I trusted my self-sufficiency, independence,
and security in man to get me through my day. An interrupted life jars us from the hum of our
regular schedule. Instead of viewing it as a rude interloper, use it to quiet your spirit before the
living God. What does Jesus want to strip away from you so that your trust will grow deeper in
Him?
Humbly I ask for God to shine through me so that I will live out Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV) “Do
everything without grumbling or arguing, (15) so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among
them like stars in the sky.” I want to shine, compelling others to pay attention to the love that
Jesus exemplified. He came to be the servant (vs.7) of mankind. His sole purpose to draw us to
God through His sacrifice and gift so that we can freely go to God the Father, clean and new like
the fresh life that burst out in spring.
This time of isolation will refine us if we allow it, this is a preparatory time for the new season. A
time will return soon, when daily we will pour out our lives in service again. For now, in humility
we lay ourselves bare before God, allowing Him into the dark places to restore and renew so
that this new growth looks like Jesus.
Are we living upside down during this time of crisis? This reminds me of a song my kids sang in elementary school. Jumping around the room they whole heartedly sang about God’s upside down kingdom. Our Kid’s Church pulsated with the words reminding our children that the last would be first (Matthew 19:30). My heart warmed as I heard them sing this at home and in the car. Proud to know they learned a complex cornerstone of God’s word from a simple song, I believed they lived it. Putting others first, loving one another, a directive Jesus exemplified for each of us, now feels more complex. As I’ve aged, I realize life is not that black and white.
In our current situation, it may feel difficult to recognize which way is up. As a nation we sacrifice for the physical wellbeing of our neighbors. Do you see we are loving our neighbors in this way? Yet, this isolation still feels sideways. This extroverted woman needs her people. I’m thankful for my husband and daughter who are here with me and for the technology that is connecting me with many of you. It is not enough but it will have to do.
Stretched to the extreme limits, our healthcare workers, grocery store employees, and other essential workers put their life on the line each day. I sit in my living room and feel the imbalance of our situation, should I do more? Doing more may contribute to the problem. Lord, we need Your wisdom in this time.
We don’t know the future but we do know the One who holds it. I believe that this will impact our lives, changing the trajectory if we allow the Lord to lead. Mourning will come to those that experience loss of loved ones, physical difficulties, economic stress and the apparent loss of dreams, especially in the young. We need to be there to help pick up the pieces. I am reminded to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming season.
Now is the time to stand on the foundation of our faith. Recognizing Jesus as this foundation, fully surrendered to His leadership, we will see farther and understand our direction of service. Trust HIM, Jesus is holding you in ways our finite minds cannot comprehend. Remember our Lord’s departing words in John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT) The Holy Spirit comes to us as our advocate and teacher, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. As new or seasoned believers, remember that Jesus will shepherd us as the Spirit advises and teaches us in each step we are to take. Simply ask to be willing, we follow the lead of our God.
Our perspective influences our truth. I hear you yelling at me as you read this, “but truth is absolute!” I agree but culture, whether liberal or conservative, Christian or otherwise influences our beliefs. Stay with me here, as fallible humans we make mistakes. That includes the information we take in and process. There is no need for teachers and preachers if we knew everything perfectly. The Holy Spirit teaches us daily, our job is to learn, understand and apply the wisdom we gain. If we don’t the Bible says we have hardened our hearts.
You won’t find the phrase “soft heart” in Scripture. A normal beating heart listens and learns when it is surrendered to God. When we give our heart to God, He renews it to flesh from its hardened state. (Ezekiel 36:26). Over and over we need to allow this softening process because each of us can get stuck in a hard place.
Recently my husband and I vacationed in Virginia with the sole purpose of visiting historical sites. We visited Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown and Fort Monroe. Each location whispered truth to us from the past, their residents became real people as we learned their stories. The cultures clashed when people from European, African, and Native American descent struggled to live life. Each came with a different view on life and each reflected the events of their day through that lens. Now it is relatively easy to look back and determine that truth of their existence. Slavery is bad, slaughtering of people that are different is wrong, yet building a new life in a new home is courageous.
My first ancestor along with his wife, baby, and man servant, landed at Jamestown in 1623 to begin life in the new world. He developed a tobacco plantation and he owned slaves. Processing this information as I walked the land of historic Jamestown was difficult. How can a person own another person? How did he justify it in his mind? The sobering thought seeps from my head to my heart, this was his acceptable truth at the time. People used Scripture to justify the owning of slaves, yet they ignored James 5:4 (NLT) “For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Am I accepting something because of the time and place I am living in? Do I use Scripture to justify any actions? We must each examine our truths and recognize what the justifications we make. Daily we must seek God for soft, healthy hearts that God renews.
History cries out to us to not make the same mistakes. “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance” Proverbs 1:5 (NLT) I hope you don’t see this as depressing but inspiring sifting information through the sieve of all of Scripture. God desires relationship with all people and we are called to love all people. Whatever your political bent recognize the face of the person on the other side, remember your identity and truth rests in Jesus, not in a voting record. Ignore the agenda, dodge the motive, and look for the heart beating life that reflects the image of God. No matter how hard their heart looks, don’t let it harden yours. Remember the words of John “Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].” (1 John 3:18 AMP) We reflect the heart of Jesus when we love those around us.
Dear Lord: Help us to see our own heart as you do. Whatever is hardening our hearts soften it. Anything in this world that influences us away from you bring it to light. Our hearts belong to you. May we each reflect your love to the world around us. We love you Lord! In Jesus Name, AMEN
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You don’t need perfect vision for your 2020 goals. Clarity is not found in a year or a number it is found in God’s will. Much of life is taking steps forward toward a goal then discovering it did something entirely different. Goals guide us but they don’t drive us. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that we can’t see the complete picture only God can. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (ESV) We peer into the mystery that is God and discern the best we can the steps He wants us to take.
Each year between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I listen to the Lord. What are your plans for me in the coming year? I get glimpses and impressions that I write down and these develop into ideas to pursue for the coming year. Goals are not set in stone. They are our interpretation of God’s direction for us. Look at these milestones in my life:
1. The year I became a mentor it was not a goal.
2. They year I agreed to lead a ministry it was not a goal.
3. The year I agreed to be ordained it was not a goal.
Each one of these events significantly impacted my life direction but all were initiated by the Holy Spirit through other people.
Yet, I know seeking direction is important. Last summer, after sitting all day at a car dealership- you know one of those times you think it will just be an hour or two – I headed home without hitting the home button on my GPS. I took side streets because of construction on the expressway. My car compass doesn’t work it kind of randomly spins, so I ignore it. Driving around a bend the Detroit Zoo sign appeared before me. Suddenly, I realized I drove the wrong direction, glancing at the error laden compass I knew that would be no help. I took a moment to get my bearings and sheepishly turned on my GPS. It took me an extra hour, but I made it home.
Scripture tells us revelation or vision gives us direction. (Proverbs 29:18). Without it we are discouraged and don’t move forward in our spiritual walk. We may head in the wrong direction, we need the Holy Spirit, our spiritual GPS to keep us moving toward home. Goals are important but not set in stone. God calls us to flexibility because He talks to us daily not just at the beginning of the year. He knows each of us, 1 Corinthians 8:3 (ESV) “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” When we depend on the Lord’s guidance He will provide it. We may need to strain through our circumstances and the societal noise that blares around us but that small whisper is there. Isaiah proclaims this in Isaiah 41:13 “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”(ESV)
Take time to set the goals. Write them down and reflect on them throughout the year. Your purposeful steps are lovingly guided. Allow Jesus to move in you and through you as you face 2020.
What if I told you your dreams still can come true? Does that surprise you? I don’t know your dreams; so how could I make such a statement? I know the dream maker and He always keeps His promises. Philippians 1:6 says “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Our expectations of fulfilled dreams and reality might be different.
Scripture tells of us of numerous fulfilled dreams. Elizabeth birthed John the Baptist at an old age. Fearful Gideon became a great warrior. The shepherd David became king. A nation received their Messiah.
- God’s timing is not always our timing. He is eternal and we are not. Waiting is hard so He provided the fruit of patience. I know, I don’t like that one either but we are to nurture it and let it grow.
- Remember we are part of God’s story not the reverse. God is the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) We can’t dictate to Him the specifics of our part. We walk through the doors as they open, cooperating with God’s design.
- God often answers in ways we don’t expect. Our expectations of fulfilled dreams and reality might be different. Paul says we see imperfectly or partially (1 Corinthians 13:12). Holding our expectations loosely allows us to see God’s true plan for us.
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We need to do our part. Fulfilling dreams may take hard work on our part. We need to learn what our God given talents are and develop skills necessary for this dream to occur. When was the last time you
learned new information related to your desired outcome? God’s Word does not change but culture does, learn how your dream fits in this current culture.
- We are Kingdom Builders. Your God inspired dream is implanted in you to draw others to God. Who you affect is more important than what you affect. God is in the relationship business and so are we.
Develop a vision of the plan God implanted in you long ago. Lean on the wisdom of Jesus to seek the knowledge to take the next step. Trust the Holy Spirit to direct the path to pursue this dream. Don’t give up my friend.
Shaming seems to be an American past time. A hobby if you will. We see it everywhere. Some of it is real and some of it is imagined. All if it is damaging to our souls.
A few years ago, I was heading north with a car load of teens. We were cruising along with the radio playing, the only car on the road. I crested a hill to find a police officer waiting for me. A
quick glance at my speedometer to see that yes I was driving way too fast. The police cruiser immediately turned his lights on and pulled me over. After serving the ticket, he informed me I
could erase the points by going to traffic school. Fine, I’ll do it. As the week went on I could not forgive myself. I repeated the following words,
“ You should have known better.”
“ Who do you think you are trying to get away with such a thing?”
“ What will people think of you when they find out?”
“ Traffic school. I can’t go to traffic school. They will know I’m a speeder!”
Of course it didn’t dawn on me that they were all speeders too. But that was beside the point. I was worried about what others thought. I was accusing myself of being less than others. I was
beating myself up beyond what was necessary. I was ashamed of myself.
I used a relatively light hearted example to show how easily we move into shame. Many are dealing with bigger issues but God does not expect anyone to live in shame. He does not look to
make bad people good, His goal is to make dead people alive.
Please understand that conviction or guilt is a good thing. We are to respond to the Holy Spirit when He pricks out conscious when we mess up. 1 John 1:9 informs us “if we confess our sins to
Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (NLT) When we are convicted we repent and we move on. We are to learn from our past failures but
we do not need to ruminate over on them.
Conviction rests on an action. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit which brings life but shame comes only from evil. Shame rests on who we are. Shame’s purpose is to lead us from pursuing
God to focusing on ourselves. Shame will lead to death of that area of our soul. Jesus came to give us abundant life. (John 10:10) With Jesus, there is no room for shame. It has to leave.
Hebrews 12:12 tells us that Jesus endured shame on the cross. He took our shame and through Him gave us the right to be called child of God. (John 1:12). With this promise we remember our
identity is wrapped up in what was done for us not what we do. He promises we can do nothing to lose this title. He will never reject us unless we choose to reject Him.
Exhausted my head hit the pillow yet my mind didn’t seem to get the memo. Thoughts raced through my brain. My children were leaving again. August into September brings transitions. Whether we are sending little ones off to school or our nest is emptying we can struggle. Our children are once again out of our watchful eye. Does that ever happen to you? You lie in bed and thoughts whirl around as if they have their own propulsion.
Will the other people be nice to him? Did she remember to pack everything? What if his new apartment isn’t as nice as the pictures? Ugh stop worrying. They will be fine. Scripture tells us to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6). Thanks Apostle Paul now I’m anxious about being anxious. I know I’m not supposed to be worry yet here I go again. How do we combat these wayward thoughts?
It is important to define the difference between anxiety and fear. We use these words interchangeably but they are not the same. Fear occurs when we are in real danger. We are afraid in life threatening situations. We are afraid anytime a real crisis takes place. It is okay to feel afraid. It is not okay to live in fear. I wear a bracelet that says “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6) to remind me to face my fear and move forward.
Anxiety is something different. Anxiety is the fear of what might happen. It can even be defined as the fear of the future. It tangles the “what ifs” with the “might be” to create an unrealistic picture. Anxiety is never our friend. It is important to pause here and make sure you know it is okay to seek help for anxiety. Our mental health is important. Anxiety is controllable through prayer, counseling, and medication when needed. Do what you need to do to be healthy.
Worries are not to take up space in our heads. They are not allowed to have free rental space. That space is to be used for God’s word. Matthew 6:27 (NIV) “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” That answer would be NOPE. We are to trust Jesus with our thoughts. Psalm 9:10 (NIV) “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Let’s look at Philippians 4:6 in detail. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (NLT).
1. Don’t worry.
2. Pray about everything. That literally means all things. Every detail matters to God and it is ok to share it with Him. He will listen.
3. Ask God to provide for you and those you love. This is your time to fight. Remember you are standing on the victory already provided for you. (Romans 8:37)
4. Thank Him. Gratitude is an amazing weapon against anxiety.
His promises will quiet the wayward thought. This takes practice. One of my favorite prayers is simple. “I trust you Jesus.” Sometimes it is on repeat until His peace surrounds me and fills me. Not because it takes repetition to get Him to answer but because I need to believe it myself.
Instead of worrying let’s turn it to a prayer of thanksgiving. She’s growing up so fast turns to thank you Lord she’s able to go to school. He’s leaving home becomes thank you he has this new adventure to follow his dream. They might not make it without me converts to thank you they are learning independence. Through God’s grace we can quiet those pesky thoughts and rest knowing God is in control.
It is not a one and done. This takes time and it is harder when life is difficult. We are allowed to feel fear and worry, we are not to stay there. If this is an ongoing issue remember you don’t have to live this way. Get help and live in freedom.
God is infinitely greater than everything. That is a huge statement. His power is boundless. Creativity was birthed in His being. God is the source, the beginning – the end. You know this. I know this. But do we live this way? In transforming into the woman He desires us to be we must rely on His power. He can turn a worrier into a wonder. Keep fighting my friend.