Anything & Everything

            Anxiety is defined by our friend, Noah Webster as “an extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency”. I find it interesting that the word “contingency” means something that may, but is not certain to occur. I also find the word “brooding” to be a great visual. I picture a hen incubating her eggs. In my mind’s eye I see her just sitting on her eggs, hovering and not moving.
          When you break it down in those terms, anxiety doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Anxiety is choosing to allow your thoughts to loom over an event that may not even happen. Should the event happen the energy you’ve spent won’t change a thing.
          This morning my studies took me to a familiar passage. Philippians 4:6-7.
“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”.
          I must confess that I do struggle with anxious thoughts. Like many of you, I have seasons of anxiety over a variety of things. This passage is familiar to me as I’ve visited it often. Today as I read it again I was struck by the words “anything” and “everything”. I love how alive God’s Word is and the fact that there is always a new nugget of truth to discover. As I read the passage I kept going back to those two words. I believe both words are all inclusive. So I opened my journal and began to list anything and everything that makes me anxious. Leaving nothing out, I listed it all no matter how trivial.
          After my list was complete I prayed. My first focus was on all I had to be thankful for, especially the fact that God loves me enough to help rid me of my anxious thoughts. Then I read my list to the Lord and asked for peace, His peace. My longing is for that deep, deep peace that penetrates my very soul. I realize that life may take me through some trials but my heart’s cry is that peace will resonate as I endure difficult days. I also don’t want to waste the time I’ve been given brooding over something that may not even happen.
          My friends, today I am wondering what your list of “anything” and “everything” looks like? As of my last report people in 14 countries were reading this blog. While continents separate us, I don’t think we are that different. We all struggle. My prayer for each of you is that you will make your list of “anything” and “everything” and lay it at His feet.  As I pray for myself in this, I am going to pray for you. I would love it if you’d do the same.
          May we all have the peace that transcends understanding!
                                                          Be blessed, my friends!
                                                          Leslie      

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Loving & Serving Others

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.   If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. As I read these verses today, I am challenged to find ways to love others deeply, to serve them, and to offer hospitality during this most unusual time. I fully believe that with God all things are possible. We may have to think outside the box, but it can be done.   I am so encouraged as I see that some of the worst times are bringing out the best in many people. We have the ability to serve one another in so many ways, despite our current situation.
Read more

Where the Tweet Hits the Street or A White Suburban Woman's Call to Confront Racism

As I sit before an empty screen and type, my heart is anything but empty. My heart is full; full of sadness, despair, guilt, confusion, pain, and questions. The divide in our nation is deep, deeper than I’ve ever seen it. I have literally and figuratively been driven to my knees in prayer and brokenness. The problems we face are enormous and I am just one person. Moreover, I am just one 55 year old white woman from the suburbs.  So, I’ve prayed and prayed. I have cried out to God, asking him what I should do. HE has replied, over and over by putting these words on my heart. I am going to share them in several different versions because as I have parked on Micah 6:8, each version has added clarity to my focus. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV) He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to w
Read more

Sidewalk Chalk, Christmas Lights & Fruit

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV What an amazing passage to being my day! I am reminded to trust in the Lord and promised that because I am planted in HIM, I don’t have to fear circumstances. This passage also makes it my heart’s desire to continue to bear fruit to HIS glory in this season. My heart is truly overflowing as I read these words in Jeremiah.  I felt I had to do something today so my daughter, Carly and I headed outside. Together we covered our driveway with encouraging words and happy images for our neighbors. As we were chalking, we waved at everyone driving past and they returned our waves. Friends, it is the little things! Now, as I type this, my husband is outside stringing up
Read more