Do Not Be Anxious

Do not be anxious

But, here’s the thing.  I’ve got the second week with our Joshua team, Bible lessons and activities to prepare for our seven groups, each so different, each needing to learn more of You…

Do not be anxious

Daisy won’t be with me, and the Spanish I thought I had seems to have gone away in all the switching back and forth with English…

Do not be anxious

I’m way behind on responding to emails, sending cards, posting to my blog, my January newsletter isn’t done…

Do not be anxious

And at home Dona Gloria is having health problems, I can never really relax without getting interrupted, I haven’t figured out a good way to exercise consistently…

Do not be anxious

How does the rest of that verse go?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

In every situation.  In all the stuff of my life.  In all that’s expected of me, in all that I expect of myself. 

Pray how?  Pray with thanksgiving.  I truly do have so much to be thankful for! 

Thank you, Father, that there are young people here ministering with me.  Thank you for their hearts for You. 

Thank you, Father, for the women, teens and girls of El Callejon.  They don’t have to come, yet they choose to show up each week. 

Thank you, Father, for Dona Gloria and Maria.  Thank you for providing new friends and family here to draw me out of my comfortable little shell.  Thank you for those back home who are so faithful in lifting me up to You.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (4:7)

Guard my heart, I pray.  The worries of the day overwhelm me.  The needs of El Callejon, the brokenness, the lack of hope, tempt me to shut it all out, to shut down and harden my heart against the pain.  Open my heart to Your children.  And, in that opening, in that vulnerability, teach me to trust that You are with me.  

Guard my mind, I pray.  As I wake, my brain begins spinning all the things that need to be done.  I fret and worry and become preoccupied with how I’m going to accomplish it all.  Me, Me, Me, I, I, I.  Refocus my thoughts on You.  On Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  Oh, how quickly I forget!!

You have promised Your peace.  Your peace which transcends my understanding.  Teach me to seek Your peace.  Not the world’s peace, but Your peace.  Not peace in a safe, secure, impenetrable shell, but peace in the midst of this time of shaking ground, of fear and anxiety. 

Thank you, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, that You are here with me.  You will not leave me or forsake me.  Though I forget, You will not.  I am carved on the palm of Your hand.  Please give me Your strength to step out, knowing that at all times You are with me.        

Do not be anxious

Alone, that’s not going to be possible, but You have promised that in You all things are possible.  Thank you, Father.  Increase my faith and trust and hope in You today, and as I step out into the coming week.