Update: When I started to write a post today (Friday), I sensed God wanted me to leave this post up through the weekend. I pray these words will fall fresh on your weary or worried heart today. They have on mine. I am working on my book proposal about a woman’s doubts this weekend. I’ know I’ve said it before but I’m really starting. I have to thank you because your comments and God’s clear leading have inspired me to take that first step! I’d treasure your prayers as I seek His thoughts and gather mine. I’ll keep you posted, and I’ll be back Monday with more encouragement!
When I look at a rocking chair I feel peace-full! And I have to admit
, I long for peaceful almost as much as a cup of coffee or the chance to stay in bed longer on cold winter mornings. Yes, peace-full is very appealing to me.
Worry is the opposite of peace-full. It leaves me me peace-less!
There are times when I don’t even realize I’m worried. My mind is wired to think a lot so I get used to the constant flurry of motion in my brain. Worry will start to slowly creep in, and then before I know it there’s a stirring in my heart, my neck is tense, my mind won’t shift gears and little concerns have kicked into full blown worry.
Author Linda Dillow says, “Worry is like a rocking chair, it will give you something to do but it won’t get you anywhere!” Oh, she is so right. When I finally stop worrying, I realize I’ve wasted a bunch of time and mental energy thinking about something I can’t change when I should’ve been talking to God – since He is the only one who can.
In Philippians 4:5b-7, Paul tells us how we can find peace in the midst of our worries. He says,”…the Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5b-7 (NLT)
In the NIV translation, Verse 7 says, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Oh that God’s peace would transcend my need to understand! Sometimes that is my biggest problem, I can accept what God is doing if He’d just help me understand why He’s doing it that way.
I want what Paul promises. I want God to guard my heart and mind with peace as I tuck myself into Jesus (because He’s near) and live in the sovereignty of Him being in control. Let’s break down the ways Paul says we can get God’s peace that is far more wonderful than our minds can understand:
- Stop worrying
- Start praying – tell God what I need.
- Thank God for what He’s already done
Now that is doable! So why is it so stinkin’ hard to do? Why do I naturally do the opposite? I think it’s because the enemy whispers in our thoughts: Do not be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do. Then take control if He doesn’t listen. And the concerns that consume your thoughts will devour your peace as you wring your hands, allowing anxiety and fear to rob you of your joy!
But according to yesterday, we are taking those thoughts captive, right? We are throwing them in the outfield and claiming God’s promise to provide just what we need – peace. So, today when our concerns consume us, let’s choose to stop and empty our hearts of our worries, talk to God about what we need and THANK HIM for His faithfulness and provision. One thing I do is write it in my journal so I can look back and remember the times God has been there for me or my family. It’s amazing how peace-full comes when I stop worrying, start praying and begin thanking Him for what He has and will do.
“You will keep in perfect peace, (her) whose mind is steadfast, because (she) trusts in you.” Isaiah 24:4
This Week’s Mom Give-Aways
This week Leah will be drawing names from each day’s comments for this week’s give-aways which include the following:D6 Mom Tshirts, “Total Money Make-Over”by Dave Ramsey, Finding Home by Jim Daly, George Barna’s “Revolutionary Parenting”, “My Single Mom Life”by Angela Thomas’ and a year’s worth of Family Devotional Magazines from D6.
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I inherited my tendency to worry from a long line of worriers…I mean generation after generation! So when I had my first child I purposed to “let it end with me!” I must admit I still struggle with my tendencies but when that happens I make sure to allow my kids to see me handing my worries over to God. Thanks for the reminder today!
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I have been a worrier since I was a child myself. A learned habit that I am dying to get rid of. God is helping me deal with this is more way than one. I am thankful for his lessons.
God has brought you into my life, even if it’s from a distance, you are there, encouraging me.
My prayer for you is that God continue to heap his bountiful blessings upon you and your family.
Thank you for being a servant,
Melissa G
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What a great reminder to stop and pray when we feel worry creeping in to our minds and hearts.
Thank you!
~Jessica
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Ok first I need to tell you how thrilled I am that you commented on my blog. Your blog was my inspiration to start blogging. Second “You will keep in perfect peace, (her) whose mind is steadfast, because (she) trusts in you.” Isaiah 24:4
really speaks to me today. Thank you for your God inspired writing.
Renee, how wonderful that you are teaching your son at an early age about his thoughts!
Worry is like that thief in the night – it robs us of our joy and peace. Often when we worry we have wrong or untrue thoughts which most often leads to troubling emotions and feelings; we go down that path of despair all based on a untrue thought.
What we tell ourselves comes from our brains “tape player” of sorts which holds all the beliefs, attitudes, and expectations that we have recorded during our life – some are truthful, some are lies. For example – “I’m no good… My future is hopeless… I must be perfect… I must have everyone’s love and approval… I can’t be happy unless things go my way” are a few of the lies we sometimes believe and thus interrupt our situation. Our feelings and emotions come from what we tell ourselves about our circumstances, in words or attitudes.
Most of us are not taught to examine or think about our thoughts – to challenge them and see if that worrisome thought is actually true. The next step, should the thought be not totally true, is to replace it with a true and realistic statement (scripture works well). Essentially, renewing our minds requires that we look at our thoughts and feelings and examine them critically based on Scripture and reality. Let me add that it’s unrealistic to expect that we will catch or identify our thought distortions all the time; we’re just now perfect! I usually work on mine backwards; it dawns on me that something’s wrong (I identify the feeling or emotion), then trace back to the original thought or belief. Somedays realistic statements work well, other days I have my index card of scriptures.
The Bible has much to say about our mind and thought process. I tend to rely on Phillipians 4:6-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:25-34 and Proverbs 23:7.
I have some different verses posted throughout my house that help remind me of such things.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything is posted on my bedroom mirror. I have a couple in my bathroom and a list on my fridge. I even keep one in my car. This is fairly new for me and I really like it. I am such a worry wort about everything and I’m learning to look to God for peace.
Thanks for the post.
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Renee, This is EXACTLY what I needed today as I ahve found myself in the pit of despair. I went online to check for a dreaded email that is going to bring my world crashing down around if what I suspect and WORRY about this situation is in fact the truth. As I went online to check for the email for probably the 100th time in the pat 24 hours, I decided to come here instead, not really sure why.
Now after reading I know why and it was just what I needed. I think instead of checking my email right now I’m going to go get a cup of coffee and crack open my Bible that has unfortunately grown a bit dusty as of late with all my worrying and all.
I suppose before I get that cup of coffee I should put on a video for my 4 kids 7 and under who I homeschool! Looks like school for the morining will consist of watching a video about David and Goliath!
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Renee, thank you for the reminder and scripture to claim when thoughts of worry enter my mind. May I give it over to the Lord immediately so that peace can flow.
Your posts are such an incredible blessing and God is using you to speak to me.
Blessings to you,
Caroline
thegrossmans at carolina.rr.com
Renee,
Thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog! It pretty much made my day 🙂 I’m gonna be praying about your book proposal – that the Lord’s encouragement is so much louder than the enemy’s attempts to make you doubt!
Another wonderful post that grabbed my attention this morning, girl. I know those feelings all to well – the stirring in my heart, the tense neck, a busy mind. Worry does indeed stir up all of those things. The quote you shared by Linda Dillow is just perfect. What a wonderful way of thinking about it. I’m gonna carry that little treasure around with me and I think I am gonna post it on my blog. 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Kate 🙂
Your posts the last few days have meant so much to me. Today’s was even better- I am feeling more peace in my worrying the past day or two!
Cristy
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I really needed this today. I knew if I needed to get my act together but I just couldn’t get there. Thanks for directing me that way.
And thanks for the comment last night. You made my evening!
I used to worry about everything. I’ve been working very hard and worrying about nothing and praying about everything. Sometimes I forget but I’m gently reminded that He is always in control. What a wonderful relief! Here I thought I was supposed to be in control and I was messing up left and right. Once I let God be in control, not only did things get a lot easier to handle, but things started turning out better also.
Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Renee,
This topic is so timely for me. God is really working on something here. I’m just not sure what yet! My husband and I have been talking a lot about worries and anxieties that others have requested prayer for recently, but we, ourselves, are not usually “worriers” by nature. Thank you so much for the encouragement and again I am going to recommend your blog to many friends who could use this message of God’s Truth!
I have some cute little note cards with a little girl resting on the front that say, “A Little Piece of Quiet”. Oh how wonderful it is to enjoy, not only a peaceful environment, but a peaceful spirit.
The verse the Lord spoke to me this morning as I spent time with Him was Ex. 14:13-14, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today…The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Ah…”calm”! Sometimes life is more chaos than calm, but the One who stills the wind and waves, can still the worries of my heart.
The verse you closed with is one of the verses you personalized and gave me last year when I was consumed with fear. I held on to it as I answered God’s call to “Come fly with Me”. I did experience His “perfect peace”.
Love, hugs and prayers,
Joy
PS. Thanks for your message last night – always a treat! I’ve been daily posting on my “other” blog, sharing how God is speaking to me each day from His Word, therefore “Ponderings” is a little lacking these days.
Hi Renee!
Decided to do my devotional time at the computer today, browsing the blogs for inspiration and godly wisdom. So glad I found you first.
I just taught on peace in my class last night. It’s wonderful when God confirms His word through others.
Hope you have a blessed and peace-full day, my dear friend!!
Love,
Sandy
Have a blessed day!
Kelly in Bham
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I can’t tell you just how perfect your timing is in these lessons lately. I’m having lots of trouble letting go of some things that I’ve been happening around me lately, and while they’re not all happening to me directly, they will affect my children in the future – and that has made it SO difficult to remain angry and anxious about those outcomes! Thank you for reminding me that I don’t need to worry about what happens – God has everything in control all the time.
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This hits home for me so much. I am so prone to worrying. Today I will make an effort to stop and pray every time I start to worry about anything.
Renee,
This topic is so timely for me. God is really working on something here. I’m just not sure what yet! My husband and I have been talking a lot about worries and anxieties that others have requested prayer for recently, but we, ourselves, are not usually “worriers” by nature. Thank you so much for the encouragement and again I am going to recommend your blog to many friends who could use this message of God’s Truth!
Hi Renee!
Decided to do my devotional time at the computer today, browsing the blogs for inspiration and godly wisdom. So glad I found you first.
I just taught on peace in my class last night. It’s wonderful when God confirms His word through others.
Hope you have a blessed and peace-full day, my dear friend!!
Love,
Sandy