Tag Archives: anxiety

Thankfulness Killers

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8, NIV*

The previous verses have focused us on God: rejoice in Him, confident He is near. Instead of being anxious, bring our needs to Him with thanksgiving.

Now Paul tells us to discipline our thought life. We can’t control what darts into our minds, but we can choose what we allow to stay. It’s hard work, but most important things are.

The verse isn’t saying to ignore the bad things in the world and live in some kind of la-la-happy-land, but Paul’s just told us how to deal with the issues: bring them to God.

Now he warns us not to take them back and stew on them. That only leads to anxiety, discontent, negativity… a whole host of thankfulness killers.

Instead, we’re to concentrate on good things. Chief among those good things will be God and His work in and around us.

I’m becoming aware how many negative things flit through my mind… often to come out my mouth. Those negatives feed the very anxiety Paul warns us against.

I’ve begun praying “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3, NIV*)

What other thankfulness killers do you know? Do you have any specific verses you use to banish them?

Father, what misery we’d be in apart from You! Thank You for rescuing us, and for giving us the Holy Spirit and Your word. Please help us work with You so we can mature in faith and demonstrate the difference trusting You makes.

A good song to keep our focus is “Give Thanks,” sung here by Don Moen and friends.

I Do Believe

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A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not … if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:17,18, 22b-24, NIV*

We’ve been talking about Philippians 4 and thanksgiving vs. anxiety for a few weeks now, and the irony is not lost on me: Today started with a sense of restless urgency, and my prayers kept circling back to someone for whom I care deeply.

I reminded myself to pray with petition and thanksgiving, to trust God’s care. Several times. Somewhere in the cloud of nervous energy He helped me realize something: today’s issue isn’t about my loved one, it’s about me.

Is there an immediate problem or danger? No, although I sense trouble in the offing. Does God need to do anything about it this second? No, although I believe He has a plan and a timetable for action, and has been calling people to pray.

So where’s the trouble? It’s me, fretting. Not letting go as I pray. Not being confident in God’s ability to work all things to His glory and His children’s good.

This always brings me back to Mark’s story of the man and his son, as I echo the man’s words: “I believe. Help my unbelief.”

Jesus, help me believe You. You haven’t given me any specific word about this particular need, but I have plenty of truth in Your Word to cling to. You have already won the battle, and all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Thank You for the peace You give when I finally stop long enough to remember Who You are. Thank You for what You will do, in the Father’s perfect timing and wisdom. Thank You for caring about me and my loved ones today.

I’m so thankful for Scripture, and for music which reminds me of God’s truth. A song that spoke peace to my spirit just now is Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Yours.” Take time to let the words sink in….

Confidence in God

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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 everything, 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 4:4-7, NIV*

This is all about confidence in God, trusting Him. The little word “but” highlights the contrast between two ways of life: on the one side, anxiety, on the other, the peace of God.

As I’ve been concentrating on Paul’s instructions to rejoice in the Lord, trusting in His nearness, and to bring my needs to Him in prayer, petition and thanksgiving for His goodness, my inner turmoil is less.

And as the turmoil decreases, I find myself more thankful. God is so good, in so many ways. He does all things well.

Let’s think about that this week. Our God is good. We can depend on Him. He won’t necessarily do what we think He should, or on our time, but He knows best and we can trust His heart.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can practice confidence in God and experience His peace.

Father, thank You for being a God we can trust and worship with joy. There is no malice or instability in You, only righteous, holy goodness. You invite us to bring our cares to You, and You promise us so many good things if we’ll come under Your authority where we belong. Help us grow in confidence in You, so that others will see the difference You make.

Steven Curtis Chapman’s “God is God” is a good song to keep life in perspective.

God is Near

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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 everything, 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 4:4-7, NIV*

Sometimes intercession feels like a burden instead of a privilege. Maybe the needs start to look bigger than God, or we don’t see Him responding, or His answer doesn’t match our plans.

It happens to me every so often. A few weeks back, I had some heavy-duty prayer requests on my heart. Mindful of the persistent widow, I repeatedly brought them to the Lord “with prayer and petition” but I guess instead of “presenting” them to Him I kept a tight hold.

Reading these verses this week, I see the problem. I’d forgotten the “God is near” part, the “thanksgiving” part. I kept trusting Him in the dark, but there was no peace.

Father, thank You that we can bring everything to You, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and the One who cares for us. Thank You that You are near, and that we can trust You. Thank You for what You will do in and through us, and that we can count on You – not to do what we want, but to work what is best. And oh, I thank You that as we give our burdens to You in confidence, You promise Your peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ.

Our song this week is the old hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” lyrics by Joseph M. Scriven in 1855, melody by Charles C. Converse, 1868, performed in the 21^st century by Paul Baloche.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeeuSoES0kw&feature=related

Hope for Wholeness

Nearer to God

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Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10a, NIV*

I’ve been feeling a bit frazzled this week, anxious about a few things even though I’m sure God will work them out. I’ve been praying about them, but the waiting to see God work them out has stressed me.

Monday’s post on the Captured by God blog, “Seek God First,” reminded me how we can slip into desiring what God will do more than desiring Him for who He is. Praying about it this morning, my thoughts kept circling. How can I come back to that intimacy with God as God, and leave my concerns in His hands?

The harder I try, the harder it gets. But as I was telling Him how helpless I am to do this, a verse from the other day came to mind: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15, NIV)

That stopped me. Lots of times I’m not sure if what I want to ask is His will, but this is a no-brainer. He wants me to come to Him like a child, in trust and confidence, just to be with Him. That’s what the Gospel is about: restoring relationship with God.

So I’ve asked, and I can be confident it’s His will. And I can trust that the Holy Spirit is interceding where my words aren’t enough.

My spirit is still, hope has returned, and I feel better already just from the stillness and the promise that God will draw me back to Himself.

Yesterday I was praying to see glimpses of God taking care of me, so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. Today I just want to see glimpses of Him—just to know He’s near.

Father, I love You. Thank You for Your grace, Your love and Your mercy to your scatter-brained and easily-distracted child. Draw me close to You.

This week’s song (and my prayer) is Draw Me Close, by the group Kutless:

Can you relate?

Not Forgotten

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I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!
1 Peter 1:1-2, MSG*

How many believers were scattered during the persecution? How many of us feel scattered or alone today?

Not one of us is missing or forgotten. There’s no one falling through the cracks with God. He has His eye on us, He has plans for us – including plans to help us fulfill His plans.

He hasn’t sent us out on assignment with only our wits and resources. Remember, He’s given us the Holy Spirit as Counsellor, Comforter, Reminder of His Word.

The one thing I find lacking in this translation is it omits what the NIV** renders “sprinkling by [Jesus’] blood.” Speaking only of “the sacrifice of Jesus” misses a reference to the Old Testament priesthood.

The priests were sprinkled by the blood of the sacrifice as part of their commissioning. If we’re sprinkled by Jesus’ blood, not only are we cleansed, but we’re consecrated into the holy position of priests.

We’re to be the go-betweens for Jesus and those who don’t know Him yet. Peter comes back to this: The Message puts it “Chosen for the high calling of priestly work… God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for You—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.” (1 Peter 2:5, MSG)

So no matter how I feel today, I am not alone. I’m not lost or forgotten. God has a tender eye on me—He is “most careful with” me.

He has plans and a purpose for me, and as I follow Jesus’ example of being “content to let God set things right” (1 Peter 2:23, MSG) I can rely on His Spirit’s help in fulfilling my role of “priestly work… to tell others of… the difference He has made…” (1 Peter 2:5, MSG)

Father, I praise You for Your love, mercy and power to save. It’s comforting to know You see us all – not one is hidden or forgotten. And how could You forget us? You’ve engraved us on the palms of Your hands. What love – what an amazing God You are! Help me give my whole heart to You in trust, confidence and love.

Our song this week is Jeremy Camp’s I Still Believe. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNqw2ssYXC8]

Careful

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Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.
1 Peter 5:7, MSG*

Carefree: not because we’re careless, but because we know and trust God’s character and have committed to Him all the things that would weigh on our hearts and minds.

“Most careful.” The first image I get is fine china being carefully wrapped and tucked securely in a box.

But elementary school children have to be “most careful” with the hatching chicks and emerging butterflies. “Helping” them, making their journey easier, will damage or kill them.

A chef is “most careful” in the measurements and quality of ingredients, but they get chopped and mixed and exposed to the right amount of heat for the proper time.

So as Peter says in chapter 4, we shouldn’t be surprised at what happens in our lives.

Nor should we listen to the lie that God doesn’t care. He is “most careful” with us. He knows our limits. After all, He made us.

He also knows His limits. Well, He knows He has no limits. There’s nothing, however bad, that He can’t heal if we’ll trust Him. Nothing that can keep us from His love and care.

Remember, one of the aims in the trials is that our faith “be proved genuine and result in praise, glory and honour” (1 Peter 1:7, NIV**). There’s no hint here of disproving or disqualifying. As we experience the power of God to sustain and care for us – we prove to ourselves that He is enough – not only do we know what before we simply believed, but those around us can see God’s power and acknowledge it with praise and honour to Him.

Father, thank You that You are indeed most careful with us. Thank You that You are fully trustworthy. Please help us learn to give You our cares and not to carry them ourselves.

Our song this week is by David Meece: “Things You Never Gave Me.”

Who me, fret?

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There’s an article at Thoughts Selected that I think we all need to read: “Fret Not Yourself.”

Author/teacher M. Hernandez begins with “Among our many human weaknesses, one of the most outstanding is fretting or complaining.” Instead of stopping there, she offers a simple, practical way to train our spirits in gratitude and praise to God.

Spiritual exercise, like physical, takes time and persistence. But it brings results.

Janet Sketchley

Writing Christian Mysteries & Suspense

Tag Archives: anxiety

Thankfulness Killers

I Do Believe

Confidence in God

God is Near

Hope for Wholeness

Nearer to God

Can you relate?

Not Forgotten

Careful

Who me, fret?