My Anxious Thoughts

Anxious means, "Uneasy and apprehensive about an uncertain event or matter; worried." I have often been anxious throughout my whole life. As a child I remember worrying about EVERYTHING. I use to stay up worrying at night over silly things. One worried thought would lead to the next until I was piling them up like the twenty mattresses and and feather beds the Princes in the Pea slept upon. I'd literally feel heart pounding anxiety. Over the years the Lord has freed me from that deep anxiety but I do find myself falling into the worry trap easily.

Last night I came across a good verse. Psalm 94:19, "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." Here is a verse that speaks directly of who I have been and still can be today. It's not often that I'm that Princesses on top of those mattresses of worry. But there are times I do wake up and the thoughts start coming and I can no longer fall asleep. It is at those times that I repeat, Philippians 4:6-7, "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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

When we pray this verse and give God what we're worrying about it gives Him the control. Or more likely, it helps us realize we were never in control over the situation in the first place . . . :-). I Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your anxiety to Him, because He cares for you." I like what Henry Ford had to say about worrying. "I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about."

When you feel those anxious thoughts creep in, repeat Philippians 4:6-7 and say to yourself, "so what is there to worry about?"

Memo from God
Author: Unknown
To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: THE BOSS
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

I am God.
Today I will be handling all of your problems.
Please remember that I do not need your help.
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it.
Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box.
All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it.
Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair.
There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work;
Think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad;
Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend;
Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance;
Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror;
Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose?
Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities;
Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Should you decide to send this to a friend;
Thank you, you may have touched their life in ways you will never know!

Krista Jones
2.29.08