A new day
Spring break has broken. A new day has come. After a really stressful and emotional day yesterday, I am able to enjoy a little rest today and regroup a bit. I spent a long time in my devotional book today and studied some scriptures that have put my worries into perspective.
I should probably get Philipians 4: 4-7 tattooed on my arm so that I can glance down at it every time I get myself all worked up like I did yesterday. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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."
That passage does two things for me. First, it convicts me. Gentleness? Yesterday, my gentleness wasn't evident to anyone. I think it had gone ahead and taken an early spring break, maybe skipped the country. I was that cranky. And did I rejoice? Sure...about 8:30 last night, when I was finally home, scarfing down some Rice Krispies. But I mostly rejoiced because the day was over, not because of the blessings of the Lord. So, when I read these verses, I am confronted by some serious short-comings that I need to take to God in prayer and ask for His help to overcome.
The other thing this passage does for me is that instructs me about what I should do when I'm having one of those days. Don't sweat it. Pray about it. Ask God for peace. That last little bit is an awesome promise for me. God's peace will guard my heart and mind. If I trust Him, turn my worries over to Him, ask Him for guidance, He'll insulate me from worry. He'll wrap me up in a big old blanket of peace. Love it.
Does this mean I'll never worry again? Nope. I will. But I can always flip back to this passage as a reminder of what God will do if I just ask.
I should probably get Philipians 4: 4-7 tattooed on my arm so that I can glance down at it every time I get myself all worked up like I did yesterday. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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."
That passage does two things for me. First, it convicts me. Gentleness? Yesterday, my gentleness wasn't evident to anyone. I think it had gone ahead and taken an early spring break, maybe skipped the country. I was that cranky. And did I rejoice? Sure...about 8:30 last night, when I was finally home, scarfing down some Rice Krispies. But I mostly rejoiced because the day was over, not because of the blessings of the Lord. So, when I read these verses, I am confronted by some serious short-comings that I need to take to God in prayer and ask for His help to overcome.
The other thing this passage does for me is that instructs me about what I should do when I'm having one of those days. Don't sweat it. Pray about it. Ask God for peace. That last little bit is an awesome promise for me. God's peace will guard my heart and mind. If I trust Him, turn my worries over to Him, ask Him for guidance, He'll insulate me from worry. He'll wrap me up in a big old blanket of peace. Love it.
Does this mean I'll never worry again? Nope. I will. But I can always flip back to this passage as a reminder of what God will do if I just ask.
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