When I feel anxiety start sneaking in trying to take hold, I reach for my trusty Calm My Anxious Heart book. This book has been with me a long time. It was the first Bible Study I attended after losing Ellie & Kate - it was meaningful to me then and continues to provide me strength when I need it (which is pretty much on a daily basis).
This morning I flipped through and came to a chapter on worry. Dillow writes about her Anxiety Box in which she writes out what is causing her anxiety on a small piece of paper and places it in a beautiful heart-shaped box tied with a ribbon. Honestly, I do not have the time or patience to practice this habit at this stage in my life. However, it is comforting to know our anxieties don't have to be presented to God wrapped up in pretty packages - he takes them anyway we deliver them to him: broken, interrupted, and confused.
Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
"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? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
2 comments:
I was so glad to read your comment regarding Anita's bags! I hopped over to say hello and make contact.
This post is powerful with truth about worry and anxiety that few are willing to embrace. People struggle to rest in the truth they communicate about the love, care, and attention of our heavenly Father.
I'm moved to learn that you have lost two precious loved ones. I don't know the details, but hope that you continue to find peace. In Christ. In His Word. In His presence.
I can't tell you how many times I've read this passage from Matthew, times where I was challenged, where my faith came face to face with my "planned" life.
How do I speak to the loss of your darlings? I cannot say anything other than I have prayed for you, your family, and for them.
Thank you for stopping by my blog; I most certainly will check out the linkage.
May God Bless you.
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