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 posted this verse as my facebook status, and within the day I had 17 "likes". I guess we can all use the reminder to not be anxious. It makes me wonder why we get so hung up on worry? Is it a trust issue? Or control? Obviously, this verse was speaking to me or I wouldn't have posted it, but it seems like it rapidly drew attention among my friends... could it be that we are collectively crying out for peace? Not "world peace", but something more like "inner" peace. The kind of peace that only comes from knowing Jesus as your best friend.
I recently started writing a blog that really turned into a prayer, just a conversation between me and God, not necessarily to share with the world (or the 5 people who regularly read my blog). But somewhere in my prayer/journaling I found myself saying to God, "The steering wheel is way too far out of my reach right now. I don't like this. I don't like it at all." Control issues, anyone? I think it comes down to trusting that God is bigger than life. He's in control...and I absolutely am not. And I resist that truth. I honestly don't like admitting that I can't fix things, or make things the way I think they should be, or make everyone happy and healthy and perfect. This whole imperfection thing is incredibly humbling.
But I am thankful. Because in the midst of days when my mind swims...drifting, sometimes crashing, from one point to another... God reminds me of exactly who He is. He is worthy of my trust. He is faithful. He loves me more than I can understand... and He loves my loved ones even more than I do. One of my favorite Bible verses is on a crumpled sticky note on my bathroom mirror- Isaiah 26:3-4 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” I love this daily reminder to keep trusting, because sometimes it is hard, but He is worthy, and His peace is worth it.
My pastor shared in church this past Sunday about God's goodness. I'd like to leave you with some thoughts I collected after listening to his message and talking to some sweet friends about how good God is...
Glass half empty? Pessimist. Glass half full? Optimist. Cup runneth over??? Blessed.
God is good.
Even when it feels like your cup is getting awfully empty…
John 4:13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
I may not always feel filled… but God’s love and life are waiting for the taking, even when I can’t find the words to ask. Isn't it sweet to know that He will give us His peace, which surpasses all understanding, and that peace will overflow within us?
God is good. Always.
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