"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
I tend to get caught up in the situations I'm in and the emotions that causes....I'll admit it, I tend to be on the dramatic side....surprise right? ;) Lately I've given myself over to them, allowing them to get out of control and, in a lot of ways, take over my life. In short, I'm letting my emotions become my idol. One of the biggest emotions I've always struggled with is worry. As a child, I would almost make myself sick worrying when bad weather would hit our area or about what other people thought of me. It used to drive my friends crazy when I would ask if everything was ok if they seemed just the teensiest bit off. I was terrified I had done or said something that would make them the lest bit annoyed with me. I've always been afraid of being vulnerable.
Now, worry less about if I've done something, but I do worry about those I care about more than ever. And I tend to let it take over. I worry about what's coming after I graduate. I'm not doing anything I thought I would be at this point in my life and it scares me a little. I thought I'd know by now what I want to do with my life and I still don't have the foggiest idea.
After venting about all of this to a friend the other night, he read me Philippians 4:6 & 7. I was lovingly but promptly put in my place. :) He reminded me that my worry is just a way of not trusting the Lord to have my best interest in mind. We also discussed the fact that we are supposed to be thankful in EVERY situation, no matter what it is. It's ok for me to be concerned about those around me, it means the love of our Heavenly Father is present within me, as it should be as a Christian, but it DOES NOT mean it consumes my life to the point that I can't function. I am to pray for my friends and family and to be concerned for them, but I'm to be thankful even when life gets tough and trust that God has no need for a "Plan B." When I do this, I'm promised a transcending peace of mind and protection.
I'm so unbelievably thankful for my compassionate and gracious Heavenly Father and for those He has put in my life to remind me when I forget :)
Philippians 4:6 & 7
I tend to get caught up in the situations I'm in and the emotions that causes....I'll admit it, I tend to be on the dramatic side....surprise right? ;) Lately I've given myself over to them, allowing them to get out of control and, in a lot of ways, take over my life. In short, I'm letting my emotions become my idol. One of the biggest emotions I've always struggled with is worry. As a child, I would almost make myself sick worrying when bad weather would hit our area or about what other people thought of me. It used to drive my friends crazy when I would ask if everything was ok if they seemed just the teensiest bit off. I was terrified I had done or said something that would make them the lest bit annoyed with me. I've always been afraid of being vulnerable.
Now, worry less about if I've done something, but I do worry about those I care about more than ever. And I tend to let it take over. I worry about what's coming after I graduate. I'm not doing anything I thought I would be at this point in my life and it scares me a little. I thought I'd know by now what I want to do with my life and I still don't have the foggiest idea.
After venting about all of this to a friend the other night, he read me Philippians 4:6 & 7. I was lovingly but promptly put in my place. :) He reminded me that my worry is just a way of not trusting the Lord to have my best interest in mind. We also discussed the fact that we are supposed to be thankful in EVERY situation, no matter what it is. It's ok for me to be concerned about those around me, it means the love of our Heavenly Father is present within me, as it should be as a Christian, but it DOES NOT mean it consumes my life to the point that I can't function. I am to pray for my friends and family and to be concerned for them, but I'm to be thankful even when life gets tough and trust that God has no need for a "Plan B." When I do this, I'm promised a transcending peace of mind and protection.
I'm so unbelievably thankful for my compassionate and gracious Heavenly Father and for those He has put in my life to remind me when I forget :)
