Grateful
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 NKJV
Anxiety….an emotion that causes a fear of everything possible which inhibits possibilities.
Being anxious is something most everyone can relate to, even if it’s about simple things like what the weather will be on your drive to work. But these “simple” thoughts or worries can cause a severe snowball effect of fear that can eventually debilitate some people. It goes from simple worry to panic in a flash, which causes a mental breakdown. Maybe you are fortunate to not be gripped by the anxiety strong-arm, but many are not. It is rooted in fear, which causes an inner turmoil of questioning everything, especially yourself.
I’ve been anxious about many things in my life, questioning everything, including God.
There will always be something to worry about, but you don’t have to. Your focus changes when you’re in different seasons of your life. Experience helps you to weather the storm, or sometimes just be afraid of another. Your focus on what is worrying you right now will not last forever. It will not consume you because you have the power to not let it. Your power lies in Jesus Christ. The way that power works is when you surrender and give it to Him it’s no longer a weight holding you down. That may not be the kind of power you’re looking for, but it’s the only kind that can truly heal you right now.
Be anxious for nothing
Worry doesn’t focus your mind on the Lord. As a result, it takes you farther from submission and closer to trying to control things you can’t. However, when the Lord is the focus, trusting in Him takes over. Faith in His strength, when you are weak is the only real control you have. The Lord is in control, no matter if we submit or not.
When we go with Jesus, He gives us rest. Burdens are not often discussed, and there are many people who carry burdens in which no one knows about. Burdens can be any range of things on your mind or heart that weigh you down. Many burdens seem to be out of our control completely, but still exist. We would get rid of them….but we can’t. But then…the Lord is in control. Jesus can change it, we just have to get out of the way. This is where we must trust in Him, and not lean on our own understanding. We have no idea of how to create our own peace, if we did we wouldn’t have had any burdens in the first place.
When is the last time you struggled with a choice or decision that had you strangled?
Trust me, you are not alone in the struggle. Whether it’s a minor decision or one that can affect your entire life, it makes up your path. You can’t see the future because if you could you would easily choose. Here is where your control seems to be, but this is actually the point of surrender. Give it to God, trust, and be patient. Sounds simple enough but this is the hardest part.
Give it to God, trust, and be patient
My husband and I disagreed on an issue before we were married, one that led me to move out and us to really work on things. We were hanging by a thin thread. I had no idea what way to go. No clue on how to choose my next step. I gave it to God. Truly opened up my mind and heart and trusted Him….days later my husband proposed to me. We were working on things but I trusted him. I believed in him and there was no doubt that saying yes was the best possible answer I could give.
In the midst of me letting go to God so He could work in my life, He was already working in my husband’s. The result…..a trusting, solid, Christ-centered marriage that fulfills not just my life but my husband’s as well. We are extremely blessed and grateful! We have issues at times like any normal marriage and struggles occur in our life; but when we focus on Jesus the burden is light.
Take the focus off control and replace it with submission.
As humans we don’t want to submit. We want to live right now, doing whatever we want however we want. Instant gratification is rampant and we are living in an age that supports everything about it. The world will agree with you when you choose those things outside of what God wants for you. You are not of the world, therefore you will have conflict within it (John 15:19) Your desire for control and quick fixes will always be accepted in the world because that’s the very foundation of what it thrives on. Choosing the path of most resistance will most likely be the right one. Submission is an act of wisdom, not weakness. It starts with prayer.
How do you pray when you don’t even know where to start?
Prayer is our relationship with God and it’s a very special time with Him. There is no specific way to pray, your way is different than everyone else’s. God made you that way. You may pray loud because you’re loud, talk softly in your room, or talk to Him in your car. Praying is your time with God, just you and Him. Sometimes it’s great to simply be quiet. We pray to God to build a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The most important part of prayer is taking the time to do it.
Asking for help is what God wants us to do.
Supplication is when you ask God for help or what you need from Him. This is the chance to tell Him what is burdening you or simply what you are requesting from Him. This part is where you say “I can’t do it, please help me, in Jesus’ name I pray” Simple enough right? Some of the hardest words for us to utter are “I need help”. It makes us feel vulnerable and weak, when in reality it’s when we are showing our strongest faith.
Being grateful for what we have instead of what we want
Thanksgiving is about being grateful. Grateful for the life you’ve been given and most importantly grateful for our freedom in Jesus. Everything else you can name falls between. Your family, the air you breathe, the job you just landed, and even some of the unanswered prayers you’ve experienced are all things you can be thankful for. The point of talking to God with Thanksgiving is getting humble and real. There is always something to be grateful for. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
Submission leads to peace in Jesus.
The peace of God is like nothing you will ever experience. Peace from the Lord is overwhelmingly calm. You won’t be able to understand until you truly submit to Him. Trust me, I know it’s difficult, I struggle with it daily. Submission is a very hard thing to grasp because we just have to do certain things in our lives. We work, we cook, we take of our families, we do, do, do. Submission sometimes involves a level of patience that only God can fulfill working through you. It’s all worth it. You learn about yourself and Him in the process.
His peace will guard your heart and mind
Think of how you feel when you get into a warm blanket on a cold day. That feeling of comfort consumes your entire body and mind. All you want to do is relax and most likely sleep. You feel safe. God’s peace is like a warm blanket over your heart and mind. It protects you from the cold, treacherous thoughts that can enter. It gives you comfort and reassurance. His peace guards you in a way that only you need. It is your cover in the midst of any storm.
I pray this post has helped you in whatever way you need. I’m grateful for your taking the time to read through it. I pray you have a great day and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
