His Comments

Her Comments

I’m not sure when I first read Matthew 6:26-27, but when I think about anxiety, I often think about those two verses. Perhaps not when I’m feeling anxious, but more so when I think about the topic of anxiety.

There is comfort in those two passages. As a Christian, I know God’s word is truth, and that we are made in the image of God. If he blessed that which we have dominion over, how much more blessed are we, having been made in his image?

The second passage is one I try to hold onto as I make my way through life. Sometimes I do a better job than others, but the key is to always lean on the assurance we have that God is in control, and we are his children. The passage holds so much truth. If, in whatever situation I’m in, I have done all I can do, and once it is out of my hands, there is no reason to continue to worry. At that point, “it is what it is” and it’s “in God’s hands,” as some people say.

My wife helps keep me grounded when it comes to topics like finance. There have been a few instances where I want to go down one path, and I reply “the Lord will provide!” and she decides that’s not a path we should venture down. She then usually says something along the lines of “God will provide, but He also put me in your life to keep balance!” That continues to remain true even after 10+ years of marriage.

For this week’s devotional, along with discussing anxiety, there was the added topic of not always getting what you want, but getting what you need. This topic was one that took a while to sync in as I started studying God’s Word, and it’s a lesson I’m continually reminded of. God’s timing and our timing is so very different. I may think I [NEED] a thing right [NOW], and God will remind me what I [NEED] is to rely on Him, and He’ll provide. He’ll provide according to His schedule, not ours. It’s a very humbling lesson to learn, and works to keep us humbled. I love how 2 Peter 3:8 tells us of days and years in relation to God: “… that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Me thinking I need something [NOW] takes on a whole different meaning when considering God is outside of time.

Stepping back to the topic of anxiety, I remember the first time I was presented the opportunity to give a sermon. The Chaplain was going out of town and asked if I would cover Sunday service. I was anxious, nervous, scared, the whole spectrum of emotions that come along with public speaking, let alone sharing God’s word. As I was considering topics, I decided to see what scripture said about being anxious. That led me to Philippians, and more specifically, Philippians 4:6-7. Philippians is a letter Paul wrote, and two of the themes in the letter are joy and thanksgiving. Paul tells us to take everything to the Lord, letting our requests be made known and to find peace in God.

That “be careful for nothing;” is letting us know not to be anxious. Take everything to the Lord, letting our requests be made known to Him and find peace knowing God is in control. Scripture tells us to put our trust in God, and this is what Paul is sharing to the church in Philippi. One may be wondering “but how will God give me peace?” It isn’t on us to know how God will provide or how God will use us for his glory, It’s on us to take our love and needs to Him and His peace shall ease our hearts and minds. Remember, “which passeth all understanding” is what Paul tells us, knowing some may have the above question. It’s not up to us to know, it’s up to us to trust.

I am a worry wart. I get it honestly because anxiety is a medically documented diagnosis in my family. We worry! I worry about everything and find the giving of the unknown to God difficult at times.

I understand the understanding and the significance of trusting in God, but I am in constant worry about the future. I try to control everything that I possibly can on my end. I pray over and over and over for God’s help in these events. From the education Robert and I have learned from our research, I handle everything wrong. I know that I do this wrong and I try everyday to fix these issues. I am going to share the steps I know that I should follow below. I hope this helps you.

1. There is significance in the serenity prayer that many addicts and professionals pray everyday that says a variation of the following, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.” Each line of this prayer is impactful. Not only do you need to know what is in your control, but you need courage to change the things in your power. God is all knowing and all powerful. He will handle the things that I cannot. However, we do need to do the things that we can handle. A great example of this is the story about the Drowning Man. There are many variations of the story. I am sending a link to a YouTube video for those who do not know it. God will provide many opportunities to overcome or walk through the issues, but we do need to have our eyes open and take care of the things we can handle.

2. God will not give us more than we can handle. Well, actually this is a quote that is not used in its correct application. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) This quote does not mean that you can overcome any obstacle; but rather, with God’s help you can overcome temptation. The important thing to remember with this verse and many other verses is that God will not leave you during these times. Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” If you lean on him during these times, he will be walking right by you and he will be providing you paths to renew and go through the trials. Take comfort in knowing you are not alone. Spend time in prayer, the Bible, and reflection. A good story is also linked from YouTube is the footprints in the sand. Many of you know this story, but it is one of my favorites.

3. Jesus said that we will have a troubled life. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This world is full of sin and we will sometimes have to deal with issues that come up from that sin. There are other times that the trials and tribulations that we go through are supposed to help us or others in some way. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good. to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” We do not know what the reason is and why bad things happen. Sometimes it happens to help us grow stronger, relate to others in the future, witness to others, be a role model, or sometimes the things that happen are not related to us, but are for the others involved. We do not have the wisdom to understand what is going on at the moment and we never will truly be able to look back and understand the reason for everything. God only knows the reason, but sometimes we can look back at our struggles and understand how that event helped shape us or others around us. This is a tough pill to swallow though and it does not help when the pain or stress is overwhelming. The way we deal with these trials and tribulations also affect the outcome of the events. Seek guidance from those trusted and who walk faithfully in these times. Allow yourself to feel and experience the emotions and thoughts. If needed, get medical help. God has given you ways to cope and endure. Do not feel ashamed or silly for seeking out help. Here is an inspirational YouTube video that talks about the meaning we give hardship and how our attitude affects the message.

4. Give it to God and do not take it back. My good friend Winona said this recently and it made me chuckle because I give issues to God all the time and continually take it back. Then I give it back to him and the cycle continues. Matthew 6:34 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Robert and I had weight loss surgery a few years ago and part of the presurgery steps were that I had to go to a food councilor. I am a worry eater (no surprise there). The counselor had me do amazing things like listening to ASMR music twice a day to calm myself and had me create a God Box. This is just a small box with one opening. You write your issues and worries on a piece of paper, pray to God to help handle the issue, put the paper in the box, and then you are supposed to think of the paper floating far away from you. This is supposed to signify that you are giving your worry to God and you need to leave it in his hands. Here is a YouTube video on how to use a God box.

5. Lean on those you love and be there when others need your help. Gal 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” You never know when you will be needed or when you will need others. Robert and I lean on each other all of the time. He is there when I need someone and he is the calm that I need. I worry enough for the both of us. I will stress about money or work and he will say that it is all in God’s hands. He completely supports me in this area and will often tell me to calm down. It will be okay. However, we all need to be aware of how we can help or burden our fellow man when they are going through difficult times. The way we interact or the actions we show will have a lasting effect on others. As a teacher, I am amazed on how something I say in the background of a lesson or as a comment to something I find insignificant, will be taken to heart. I will get notes (at the most perfect and most needed times of my life) that explain how I have helped and supported those kids. Here is my last YouTube video of the day. This is also one of my favorites from the past. The starfish story.

God Bless.