Do not be anxious about anything!

I've been waiting to post another entry on this blog until I could write with a more positive tone.  I don't want this place to just be an area for all my emotional vomit!  So, I've been waiting - I've waited until I felt as if I had something to post that God would want me to post.  Something He wants me to "forget-me-not." :-)

Today, in church, I heard from Him.  And, here is what He said...

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

There has been a lot going on in my little life these days.  Really though, there still is a lot going on.  However, it wasn't until today during service that I felt as if God was reaching out to me through the chaos that feels like my life these days.  It wasn't until today that I finally felt peace and hope.

Do not be anxious - He said - about ANYTHING! 

That is difficult, at best, for me.  I worry.  I worry about what people think of me.

I worry about my effectiveness as a teacher, and then I worry whether or not others perceive if I'm effective or not. 

I worry about my kids.  I worry about my impression on them in the small amount of time I do get with them with as much as I work.

I worry about my husband. I worry that he isn't happy with his job.  I worry that he isn't happy with me.

However, God says - DO! NOT!! WORRY!!!  ABOUT ANYTHING!!!!

And, I hear that.  And, I instantly know how silly my worries are - as if I could do anything more for my husband and my kids than I'm already doing - as if I could be any more effective as a teacher since I already throw myself into all that 110% - as if I could change anyone's perception of me when more than half of the people who don't like me are because they don't know me.

I hear from Him - don't worry, about anything, but PRAY with thanksgiving in your heart.

Pray with thanksgiving because you know He will give you what you ask for in His name. 

So, I hear... "but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  And this morning in church, I did.  And, I felt His peace...

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

And that's what I need! I need God to guard my heart (emotions) and my mind (thoughts).  Because my feelings lately, they are like I'm on a hormonal roller coaster!  And my mind, well, let's just say, you don't want to know some of the thoughts I have had about things and certain people lately...

I need His peace.  And thanks to Philippians 4 - which just so happens to be my favorite chapter in the Bible - I have the formula I need to get that peace I'm so desperate for.

I just need to not forget this, as He has not forgotten me.