Why should I worry?

Without getting into too much detail, I have been struggling with some anxiety. At times it gets to the point where I am consumed and overwhelmed by that one little anxious thought. Now, this isnt a daily occurence but I came to realize that the anxiety was starting to gnaw away at my joy. It started to become a burden on my heart and I became convicted about it. I was driving home from work yesterday and I was listening to Christian talk radio, half paying attention because I was praying and asking God for peace. But something the radio host said caught my attention and she began to quote this verse: "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."- Jeremiah 29:11. Now, here's a little something about this verse. It always pops up whenever I'm dealing with something. I see it or read it or hear it somewhere else. I really felt God speaking to me in that moment...He does not call us to be fearful! 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us plainly, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." And again, in Joshua 1:9, "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Letting go of fear is not a suggestion; it's a COMMAND! When we allow fear and anxiety to take over, we also allow doubt in God's faithfulness to creep in as well. Fear=no faith. I have to be obedient to the Lord. That means holding fast to His promises and and trusting that everything is according to His will. I don't want my fear to replace the faith I have. I know He holds me in the palm of His hand and protects me. He has my best interests at heart! I just have to trust Him and let Him do His thing. As cliche as it may sound, I have to "Let go and Let God." When that happens, there is no room for fear.

"Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." - Psalm 55:22

Stop and smell the wildflowers

Matthew 6:30-33
The Message (MSG)

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

Breathing life

Ezekiel 37:1-14

"Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ 12 Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the LORD. 14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!’” (11-14)

As we come to the end of this week...and as I reflect on this passage in Ezekiel, I pray that the Holy Spirit will renew our spirits and breathe fresh life into these dry bones. He is the Author, the Healer, the Redeemer, the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE.

"You bring hope, You bring life. Awaken hearts, open eyes; with our voices hear them rise. We call these dry bones to come alive. You are faithful, You are true. We can always run to love that never fails, arms that never close, nlood that covers sin , grace that never ends.You have saved us, You have won. Sin is broken, death is gone. Freedom's found us, breakthrough's near. In your presence, no more fear---Our savior's here." Savior's Here, Kari Jobe