“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” Philippians 4:6.

God offers you and me the possibility of a worry-free life.  Jesus said,

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life!  Of course not”  (Matthew 6:27).

Worry is irrelevant.  You don’t add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying.

Worry is also irreverent; it’s distrusting God…an “unconscious blasphemy.”  The Apostle Paul urges us to “be anxious for nothing.”  How?  Our part includes prayer and gratitude.  Instead of looking forward in fear, look upward in faith and backward in appreciation of past victories. God’s part is peace and protection.  God enjoys perfect peace because he enjoys perfect power.  And he offers his peace to you to guard your heart.  Do your part and God will do his.

By Max Lucado
From: Come Thirsty
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

Further Reading

• The Worry-Free God – Devotional by Debbie West

• Victory over Worry –  by Palitha Jayasooriya

• Why Worry Yourself Sick?

The post You Don’t Have to Worry appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” — Matthew 6:25

Thought

God gives beauty to the flowers and life to grass. In the grand scheme of things, these are transitory and insignificant. He sent his Son from Heaven to save us. So, he most definitely is going to give us what we need until we go home to live with him!

Prayer

Loving Father and Almighty God, forgive my distraction over temporal things. I do believe that you have given me everything I need in Jesus and in the gracious abundance of your blessings. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

From: https://www.verseoftheday.com

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Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

Fast Of Words: A Different Kind of Fast

Praying the 23rd Psalm for Yourself and Others

The Supernatural Power of Praise

The post Worry about Your Life appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Anxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs. The sky is falling, and it’s falling disproportionately on you. Anxiety ain’t fun! One would think Christians would be exempt from worry but we are not. It’s enough to make us wonder if the apostle Paul was out of touch with reality when he wrote in Philippians 4:6,

“Be anxious for nothing.”

Is that what he meant? Not exactly. He wrote the phrase in the present active tense—implying an ongoing state.

“Don’t let anything in life leave you perpetually breathless and in angst.”

The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. Could you use some calm? Of course you could. We all could! We all could use a word of comfort and God is ready to give it.

By Max Lucado
used by permission
From: Anxious for Nothing

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at: https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

FURTHER READING

Be Anxious For Nothing  by Francis Frangipane

Do Not Be Anxious by Phil Ware

Don’t Be Anxious by Rick Thiessen

Save

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The world financial situation bounces like a rubber ball. It’s fragile and unpredictable.  The morning news tells us the financial markets continue to tumble. Financial leaders are meeting to try to figure out how to avert panic.

I clicked from the news to my devotional email and read the Bible verse Mike Woodard highlighted for today.

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.”

Perfect verse to counter the unease of the morning news.  I thought on it for a few moments ……

“above all else” .

I sometimes ask the Lord for my “marching orders for the day” and here it was ….. my priority today was to keep a guard at my heart and to do that I needed to faithfully guard what I allowed to come into my thoughts and settle into my heart.

“it is the wellspring of life”. 

Humm…… what I allowed to settle into my heart would overflow into my day … into my relationships … my actions … my reactions.

Tall order when anxiety of any kind surfaces threatening to consume and devour us.

Just as I pondered the “how” of this wise verse another verse filtered through my thoughts and I quickly googled it to find the reference. Listen to the amazing flow of God’s wisdom to us…

Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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 passes all understand, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Wow! Here was the answer to the “how” of guarding my wellspring of life, my heart. God will actually send His peace to do it for me if I simply choose my responses today.

1. Choose to Rejoice in the Lord always. Focus on all the Lord is and offers to us through Himself.  Take one point and make it the meditation of your day.
2. Choose to Remember He is near. When anxiety threatens ask God to remind you that He is right there and He will steady you and give you the wisdom you need.
3. Choose to Respond in prayer. Worry is a call to prayer. Choose to lay your request before God and ask for His guidance.
4. Choose to Retain thanksgiving. Leave your concern with the Lord and focus instead on who He is and His ability to hold you through any challenge. Maintain a grateful heart for even the smallest of His blessings. Watch for them.

Result: His peace, which is beyond understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

Pretty amazing really when you pause to ponder it.

• All our spillover today in our actions, relationships, words, attitudes, will pour from what is in our hearts.
• We are told by God to guard our hearts.
• When we choose to focus on Him (Rejoice) / to Remember He is right there with us/to pray (Respond) even when we don’t feel like it/ and to Retain gratitude in our hearts …… then an amazing thing happens….

God’s peace itself guards our hearts AND our minds…. thorough Jesus Christ and we REST even in the midst of unsettling times!

Lord God, Please help me today to choose to guard my heart through these four steps and to experience Your amazing and
un-explainable peace settling over my heart and mind by the power of Jesus. Thank you for Your wonderful provision when I turn my eyes to You. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

The post Pretty Amazing appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Read: 2 Kings 19:8-20

What do people do with feelings of anxiety? Aside from those who are medically diagnosed with anxiety disorders, fearful people tend to ruminate over potential scenarios and outcomes. They might rehearse the possibilities in their mind and take worries to bed, which keeps them tossing and turning all night. Or maybe they try to numb themselves with distractions or medication.

King Hezekiah had a legitimate reason to be anxious after receiving threats from the Assyrians, who had already conquered much of the region around Judah. But in the middle of that situation, he prayed. The king requested deliverance because he trusted in Judah’s covenant relationship with the Lord, who was sovereign over heaven and earth. Hezekiah also knew the Almighty’s desire to be known by all nations as the one true God.

God wants us to bring Him our worries just as the king did—then He can calm our anxious burdens with His peace, which surpasses all comprehension (Philippians 4:6-7). And today we have advantages that weren’t available to Hezekiah. Instead of waiting for a prophet to deliver a message from the Lord, we have the completed Scriptures, which are God’s revelation of Himself, His works, and His ways. Through His Word, we learn to know and understand the Lord and His plans so we can pray more confidently.

As we spend time in the Scriptures, we increasingly see from God’s perspective. Then our prayers will be focused on what He wills rather than on what we want. Through this kind of prayer, our spiritual needs are met, and we can set aside anxiety to live in complete trust in the Lord.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

• Weighed Down with Anxieties
• Victory over Worry
• Anxiety

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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” Philippians 4:6

Not only is anxiety uncomfortable; it also leads to negative consequences. For example, reasoning becomes cloudy when permeated with worry.  So an anxious person will have trouble making wise decisions.  Fear of failure may also lead to procrastination or lack of productivity.

Apprehension can devastate personal and spiritual growth, relationships, and work. So conquering fear is important.

These four steps can help:

1. Identify The Fear. Ask yourself; What are the circumstances surrounding my feelings? What triggered them? What message am I telling myself?

2. Turn To The Lord.  Remember that God loves you and desires a close relationship with you.  He is in sovereign control of your situation, so bring your apprehension to Him.

3. Rebuke The Fear:  You have authority and power in Jesus’ name to reject what isn’t from Him.  Meditate on Scripture passages such as Matthew 10:31 and Proverbs 1:33.  Let God’s truth replace and wrong thinking.

4. Cling To Your Heavenly Father.  Take your focus off your circumstances, and look to the One who promises His help.  The Bible gives this assurance: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10)

Circumstances are external and often beyond your control.  But your response originates within.  It’s amazing how fears diminish in the Father’s presence.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by permission
https://www.intouch.org/

FURTHER READING

Facing a Wall of Fear?

Facing Your Problems

Quiet Courage

The post Dealing with Fear appeared first on Thoughts About God.

I read in a Men’s Devotional as to how we might react if our bank credits $86,400 to our account every day; the catch being that the money has to be used up the same day. If not, it’s taken away. The process is then renewed the next day and every other day with $86,400 being credited to our account daily. I’m sure most people would have no hesitation in using the money every day! Similarly, God blesses us with 86,400 seconds credited every day! Let us therefore use that time wisely and place each day in His hands.

The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 6:34

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.

Yes, each day has troubles of its own, but in Psalm 68:19,

God is revealed as the Lord “Who daily bears our burdens” and Jesus, in the Lord’s Prayer, taught us to pray “Give us TODAY our DAILY bread” (Matthew 6:11).

What troubles are you facing today? What are you worrying about? A quick read through of Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus speaks against worry, will act as a powerful faith booster and a stress-buster! A quote I read says, “Do not let the worries of tomorrow, affect your relationship with God today”.

Let’s place each day in God’s hands!

A highly successful country songwriter by the name of Marijohn Wilkin drifted away from her faith after finding success. At a time of crisis and personal desperation, as the story goes, she stopped at a church for some counseling and prayer. The young Minister who was on duty had apparently asked her during the conversation, whether she had ever considered being thankful to God for her problems. As she went home and pondered over that statement, she began to play her piano and the words of a song came to her. Needing some help to complete the lyrics that she had written down, she approached Kris Kristofferson (of Why Me Lord fame) who helped her with some of the remaining words. The completed song goes like this.

I’m only human, I’m just a woman
Help me believe in what I could be, and all that I am
Show me the stairway, I have to climb
Lord for my sake, teach me to take, one day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking from you
(Stories Behind 50 Southern Gospel Favorites)

Let’s learn to live “one day at a time”, completely trusting our Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer – Lord, help me to spend quality time in Your presence today and to trust you in every challenge.  Help me also to spend quality time with my spouse and children. May I make at least one person happy today and not put off giving a compliment or a helping hand to someone. Help me also to pray for lost souls daily. Thank you, Jesus. Amen!

By Palitha Jayasooriya
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Living Beyond the Darkness

Don’t Get Lost in Your Troubles

Troubles

The post Living One Day at a Time appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.“ Isaiah 54:10

Forty million Americans over the age of 18 are affected by some form of anxiety disorder — roughly 18 percent of the nation’s population according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Probably many countries today have similar statistics. Think of the millions spent on medications and appointments with medical health professionals. Plus consider the relational and social implications for each person who suffers from being depressed or anxious.

Could there be a spiritual element that could work along with other forms of therapy?

God created us and understands our deep complexities better than we do. Through that wisdom, He provides instructions, found in scripture, which both protect us and provide for us. For example, when it comes to our tendency to be anxious, He commands us to seek peace ? both internally and externally ? in our heart, mind and soul, plus in all our relationships.

We humans have limited power to control the world around us but we can have control over our internal world. Peace can seep into our souls in moments of anxiety when our minds focus instead on God’s total sovereignty over the affairs of the nations and our lives (Isaiah 40:12-25).

God, in His perfect wisdom, promises that we can experience peace if we focus our thoughts on Him. Jesus comforted his disciples by telling them not to fear by relaying to them that God knows when sparrows fall to the ground and that they are of greater value than many sparrows (Matthew 10: 29-31). We can take comfort in the fact He is a personal God who knows us and the details of our lives, and loves us deeply.

We cannot control our circumstances but we can turn to the one who controls all things. Peace will spread deep within us as our focus shifts from circumstances to the one who governs all.

Jesus I need your peace deep in my soul. Thank you that you are the Prince of Peace, the fruit of your Spirit’s work is peace and you promised to give your followers a peace that the world will not understand. I claim that peace today. Amen.

By Mike Woodard
Used by permission

Do you have Jesus in your life to comfort you and give you peace?  Would you like to have a relationship with Him? If you do,  you can start today by committing and submitting your life to him. It starts with a simple heart felt prayer:

Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small.  Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen

If you did pray this prayer or once like it, we would love to hear from you. Some helpful internet links will be sent to you and we can also connect you with an email mentor if you’d like that. Your choice. But we’d still love to hear from you.

FURTHER READING

• Prayer for Inner Peace
• Peace I Leave You
• How Can I Deal with Inner Turmoil? 

The post Where is Your Focus? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Read: Matthew 6:25-34

Fear obviously produces anxiety, but it also creates chaos in our lives and even affects those around us.

Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.

Fear hinders us from becoming the people God wants us to be. When we are dominated by negative emotions, we cannot achieve the goals He has in mind for us. A lack of self-confidence stymies our belief in what the Lord can do with our lives.

Fear can drive people to destructive habits. To numb the pain of overbearing distress and foreboding, some turn to things like drugs and alcohol for artificial relief.

Fear steals peace and contentment. When we’re always afraid, our life becomes centered on pessimism and gloom.

Fear creates doubt. God promises us an abundant life, but if we surrender instead to the chains of fear, our prayers won’t be worth very much.

What are you afraid of–loss, rejection, poverty, or death? Everybody will face such realities at some point. All you need to know is, God will never reject you. Whether you accept Him is your decision.

The Bible tells us that God will meet all our needs. He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the grass with the splendor of lilies. How much more, then, will He care for us, who are made in His image? Our only concern is to obey the heavenly Father and leave the consequences to Him.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
used by permission

Used by permission; https://www.intouch.org/

FURTHER READING

Giving Fear an Eviction Notice – by Karen Woodard

Faith or Fear – by Julie Cosgrove

Fear of the Unknown – by Daniel Forster

Overcoming the Stronghold of Fear by Daniel Forster

The post The Effects of Fear appeared first on Thoughts About God.

GOD IS SATISFIED

We stand confused.
He is not.

Circumstances spin out of control.
He’s right on schedule.

Life aches.
He has a purpose.

We fret.
He is calm.

God is not pacing the floors, wondering what’s going on, biting His fingernails, or dissatisfied with our lives and the world in general.

He is often grieved, I’m sure. But He’s never surprised. Never caught off guard. Never strategizing to see how He’s going to smooth out what’s been made crooked now.

His perspective is different from ours.

His ways are higher.  God’s at peace.

And He’s satisfied.

One Puritan writer explained it this way.

Our lives seem like a jagged race—a fretful sprint from pillar to post. But at the end of the race, we will turn around and look back.

And all we’ll see is a straight line.

God is satisfied.

Rest in this peace-giving truth.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this” . . . ‘Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret.” (John 13:7; Psalm 37:7)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING:

Why Worry Yourself Sick? – by Muriel Larson
Dealing with Inner Turmoil By Dr. Henry Brandt
Up from Depression
Struggling with Depression – Merri Ellen Giesbrecht tells her depression story and her story of hope

SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL: FOLLOW THIS LINK

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“You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:27

No one has to remind you of the high cost of anxiety. (But I will anyway).

Worry divides the mind.  The biblical word for worry (merimnao) is a compound of two Greek words, merizo (“to divide”) and nous (“the mind”).  Anxiety splits our energy between today’s priorities and tomorrow’s problems.  Part of our mind is on the now; the rest is on the not yet.  The result is half-minded living.

That’s not the only result.  Worrying is not a disease, but it causes diseases.  It has been
connected to high blood pressure, heart trouble, blindness, migraine headaches, thyroid
malfunctions, and a host of stomach disorders.

Anxiety is an expensive habit.  Of course, it might be worth the cost if it worked.  But
it doesn’t.  Our frets are futile.  Worry has never brightened a day, solved a problem,
or cured a disease.

“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”  Proverbs 3:5&6

By Max Lucado
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

• Do Not Fret –  by John Grant

• H.O.P.E. – Thoughts about God by Julie Cosgrove

• The Peace of God – by Violet Tse

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The post Fretting is Futile appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Read: Psalm 94:19-22

Experiences affect how people think about themselves and what they choose to believe. Sometimes negative events create a hurtful thought pattern that can play in someone’s brain in a continuous loop. When that gets switched on, it triggers anxiety in the person’s heart. Shutting it off permanently requires faith in the Lord.

Let me give you an example of what I mean. Suppose that little Tina’s efforts to do well were often rejected by her parents. She heard, “You can do better than that” or “Your sister did much better at your age.” Tina rarely received praise for a job well done. Now an adult, she refuses to apply for a job promotion, even though her boss is encouraging her to do so. Why? Because she fears being found inadequate. Tina may not be able to name her fear, but it certainly holds her back. There are several other potential root causes of anxiety. An exhaustive list would not fit here, but a few of the more common ones are …

• The belief that one can’t reach a set standard.
• Guilt over past sin.
• A faulty idea of God as a punisher.
• Attitudes instilled during childhood.

When feeling anxious, ask yourself what produced the uneasiness. Knowing which incidents nurture fear can point you to the underlying cause. Let God help you reject the unhealthy thought pattern and replace it with assurance that those who listen to Him live free from the dread of evil (Prov. 1:33).

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

Used by Permission from https://www.intouch.org/

Further Reading

• Disarming Anxiety –  by Max Lucado

• Refuse Anxiety – by Roy Lessin

• Trade Anxiety for Peace –  by Gail Rodgers

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The post The Hidden Causes of Anxiety appeared first on Thoughts About God.