As a sophomore, when people ask me what my major is, anxiety sometimes creeps in when I have to respond: "I still haven't decided. I actually have no idea." Sometimes the fear of the future can stress a girl out- fear of never deciding on a major, not getting a job, never getting married, or even fear of what could happen if I don't get an "A" on the next exam. The world sometimes loves to throw anxieties in our face, and I think that is why God speaks so much about anxiety throughout scripture. My favorite passage that God brought back to my mind comes from Matthew 6:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." If God cares deeply enough about the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, how much more deeply will does care for us- His beloved children?! As I read this verse, God's peace washes over me every time. Philippians 4:6-7 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Time OUT: anxiety is something that is hard to pray for and understand. I think this is why God loves to give us His peace and show us scripture- that God Himself has breathed out- to minister to us personally. There is a difference in hearing someone say "God has a plan for you" and reading it from God Himself. He knows that anxiety is something hard to give comfort about, so He decides to be our minister and give us His peace through reading His word! That's pretty cool. God is our minister). That's some pretty amazing grace. Time IN: John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” God not only ministers to us and comforts us- He also fights for us. Like all the time. As I said before, stress/ anxiety through tribulation is something that is difficult to pray for, but I am in awe of the fact that "the spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son." (Romans 8: 28-29) WHAT? The Holy Spirit is rooting for us and prays on our behalf our needs too deep for words? He is working through our tribulation, and ALL of our days were made for us to know Him and to conform us to His image. He is sovereign, and He is in this boat with us. Matthew 8 comes to mind when thinking of looking to Jesus instead of looking at the winds and the waves around us: 24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” God flooded my heart with scriptures relating to this. I think it is so sweet that He speaks so much about tribulation, stress, and anxiety because He knows that the world can give it to us. BUT He is our comforter, our minister, and our advocate who fights for us. What a loving Father! Keep asking God to show you what He says about WHATEVER storm is happening in your life. Sometimes I even pray: "God, teach me about ____" or "Holy Spirit, I need you to intercede for me, because I literally don't have words for this." This week I am thankful for a loving Father who sees and hears me. Comments are closed.
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