Dear SCC & Friends,
Be anxious for nothing… ~Philippians 4:6
Reflection #284
That can’t be right! Be anxious for nothing must be a misprint…but it’s not. It’s to be a posture of heart… I’ve never met anyone who is totally free of anxiety, but it can be put in its proper place… Anxiety is not about what will happen but rather allowing ourselves to worry and project about what might happen. It’s our minds and errant emotions trying to control the uncontrollable. Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but wanting to control it. ~Kahlil Gibran~ “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” …My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. ~Isa. 55:8 Anxiety diminishes when we settle once and for all that God is the Potter, and we are the clay. The Lord has plans for us… ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ~Jer. 29:11… Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the Lord will stand. ~Prov. 19:21
If we don’t deal with anxiety, it will deal with us. Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. ~Charles Spurgeon~ The Latin word for anxiety means to strangle or be unable to breathe or focus. It suffocates our vitality in the Lord, neutralizes our faith and robs us of joy which is to be our strength… Anxiety weighs down (depresses) the human heart, but a good word makes it glad. ~Prov. 12:25 The good word is the Lord understands our propensity to fret and worry and provides the perfect prescription… Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philip. 4:6-7 May the peace of God reign in our thoughts, words and deeds! Keep up the good work!
Made for these days,
Kevin