Day: January 17, 2022

 “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 think we all have struggled with anxiety in some point of our lives. Some people have it worse than others, but we all experience it. I never really struggled with anxiety when I was younger. Then as I got older and had my kids, my social anxiety started to really show up. As well as my hormones and body image. I’ve struggled with my hormones and body image ever since. I care what people think about me. Some people say they don’t, but we all do.

Anxiety, fear, and depression go hand and hand. We may fear of what people think, fear of making a mistake, fear of the future, etc. Fear leads to anxiety and anxiety leads to depression. We may feel stuck in this depression but in reality, we aren’t. We can go to God with anything and He can bring us out of anything.

We must fight back our thoughts and pray. Anxiety is hard to talk about to others. We try to avoid it and pretend it’s not there. We tend to show a “happy” face but deep down we are depressed. We feel alone. We think no one will understand what we’re going through. But we have to remember that God understands. The majority of people with anxiety will resort to medication and therapy to cope with it, but God should be our “medication” as well as our therapist. He is the Almighty God that can help us overcome anything that medication and therapy never could.

Anxiety is a hard thing to accept and live with. I tend to forget that God is with me through my anxiety. He is there carrying this burden with me. He loves us no matter what we are going through, good or bad.

 

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

 

Prayer is a powerful thing and we need to pray! Cry out to Him to deliver you from your anxiety and worry. I’m still struggling to go to God and cast my burdens on him. But God WANTS us to come to Him during our times of anxiety and negative thoughts. For us to have peace and comfort, we MUST go to Him.

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

 

In the end, our problems will no longer matter. We tend to forget this and lose focus on what’s most important. If we let fear interfere, how will we live out the gospel and share it with those around us? We should pray and trust in the Lord and focus on what’s important.

 

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Psalm 56:3

 

We need to WORRY LESS and PRAY MORE!

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way: it is not irritable or resentful

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

 

This is a popular, well-known scripture and a good one to remember.  When I was praying the other day, this verse came to mind.  It was because I was praying for patience, kindness, and not to be resentful in my situation.

So many fellow Christians have told me for years to NEVER pray for patience.  They told me as soon as you pray for it, God will give it to you.  He will put things in your life that will teach you to have patience.  Like the saying goes, be careful what you pray for, you might just get it.  

Jesus told us the two greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor, but in 1 Corinthians he has described attributes of love.  The first thing it says is “Love is patient”.  If we need patience, why wouldn’t we pray for it?  

My patience has been tested greatly these past few months. With the death of my father-in-law and becoming a caregiver to my mother-in-law, my patience is wearing thin.  I wonder about what others have told me.  Is it because I am praying for it?  Am I getting what I prayed for? 

God told us in His word to take care of our family also. 

 

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

1 Timothy 5:4

 

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for member of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8

 

God has laid this opportunity on me to do His work and His will.  I am constantly complaining and negative about it.  What God revealed to me in my prayer for patience WAS to pray for it.  I pray for a change of heart, for the Lord to help me be patient, to be kind, to be caring and joyful in my circumstance, to have love and give it abundantly.  He has opened my eyes and revealed my failures.  

This season hasn’t been easy.  I’ve had many struggles and haven’t handled them well.  I am thankful God shows me my mistakes and gives grace.  I will continue to pray for the things I need.  I have learned through prayer a peace that goes beyond all understanding.  It’s more about what praying does TO me as much as what it does FOR me.       

 

Lord, I am sorry I have not shown the love you have called me to show.  I am sorry I complain about my situation.  You have given me a wonderful opportunity to show love, and I have fallen short.  Please Lord, I ask for forgiveness.  Give me patience and understanding.  Give me strength and endurance.  I love you.  In Jesus name, Amen