“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, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7)
Can you imagine a day without anxiety? Some confidently answer yes; while others
find it difficult to fathom a moment without anxiety. The point of the spectrum one lives varies
and depends on numerous factors. A calm
environment will bring peace. An open
schedule will allow for room to breathe.
Physical health spills over to mental health, working in harmony when
receiving great reports from the doctor.
One may move across the spectrum often in life. Storms approaching and consuming the day
bring distress. A period in life when
schedules fill with tasks brings suffocation.
Our minds become overwhelmed with situations/stress and fight against
physical health. This, my friend, is
when one cannot fathom a moment without anxiety.
But, look closely; Scripture describes every situation as
anxiety free. How is that possible? God must not understand what we go through
here, right? Not the case, my
friend. Read further. Through prayer, petition and thanksgiving let
us present our requests/concerns/frustrations/situations to God. He longs to hear from you. He waits to be invited into every
situation. He cannot do His part if we work
diligently to fix things through our own power.
Begin with prayer. . .lay it at the cross.
Be real with God. Present
the case to God with a solution. I
always tell my children to come with a solution, not just a problem. If they are hungry, they come to me with a
suggestion of a snack. They do not
simply describe their hunger in detail; yet, suggest an item they would like to
satisfy hunger. God wants to hear our
side of the story. He knows what is
going on already. He desires to work
together and persevere through any situation.
Therefore, come to Him with a solution.
He may agree with the solution or have an even better idea in mind. Either way, trust Him for He knows the plan
ahead.
My children do not always receive the suggested snack. It may be too close to supper, we are getting
ready to leave or a healthier chose may be available. Either way, I know the plans for the evening;
therefore they need to trust my decision.
Be thankful. Yes,
even in the storms of this life. I began
months ago to write one thing I am thankful to God for first thing in the
morning. I am trying to begin the day
focused on positive and remember God’s blessings. His hand is all over every situation; yet, if
we fail to see it then we will fail to persevere through. Beginning with thanks shows respect to our
God and acknowledgement of how good He really is! Present your case through prayer, beginning
with thanksgiving for His presence.
Read further. See the
promise which follows? His peace will
come into the situation transcending all understanding. You will stand in awe of the relief felt
after laying it down at the cross. Your
heart will be guarded. Hurtful
situations will still arise, but God will remind you that the world is broken
and people cannot be perfect. Only
through Him will you be healed and filled with love. He will fill your thoughts with Truth to extinguish
the fiery darts (lies) from the enemy.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever
is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,
or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
Surrender the Situation – Trust the Teacher – Follow in
Faith
In the storms, focus on the rainbow waiting ahead. In the calm, focus on the strength received from
each day lived in faith. In all
things/situations give thanks for the mighty plan and purpose God created for
your life.
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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