Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6–7 (The Daily Life Bible)
The other night I could not go to sleep. I tossed and turned. I flipped my pillow over seventeen times.
I was thinking about all the things that needed to be done in the morning. When I finally drifted off, it seemed like it was mere minutes later that it was time to get up and face the day. I was exhausted and cranky. Even coffee couldn’t help.
The children gave me a wide berth. They seemed to know by the wild look in my eyes that this was not a good morning to push any of Mom’s buttons. Anxiety tends to lend itself to… more anxiety and some worry with a large side of irritability. It makes sense that the Scriptures say, “Do not be anxious for anything.”
Anxiety flies in the face of what Jesus came to earth to do. He came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. It is hard to live an abundant life when you are constantly worried.
Instead we get the choice of offering our worries to the One Who can do something about them. And in return He will give us an incomprehensible peace and will protect our hearts and minds, which will actually keep us from being anxious. It seems like a good deal to me. I think I’ll take Him up on it.
Faith step: On a piece of paper, write down three things that are making you anxious. Offer them up to Jesus in prayer and thank Him in advance for His peace and the protection of your thoughts. Toss the piece of paper in the trash, reminding yourself that you have given your worries to Jesus.
