Open to the Possibilities

Romans 8:5-8

Sometimes I catch myself clenching my fists, not out of anger, but anxiety.  My mom says that even as a toddler she’d find me stiffening my arms and legs.  Apparently, “tensing up” has always been my physical reaction to stress.

Over the years, I’ve searched for ways to deal with it constructively – yoga, meditation, breathing – but it wasn’t until I turned to prayer that I started finding some relief.  Life is still a daily struggle against my biological instincts, but it’s more manageable with “open hands.”

The world can be a scary, unforgiving place, but that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.  “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (v. 6).

The flesh brings about heartache, but the Holy Spirit brings joy.  If you want life and not death, peace and not sorrow, then you need to create space for the Holy Spirit.  Make a place for Him and He’ll open your hands and your heart.  Give him room to do his thing, because with the Spirit we can’t help but be open-handed.

And as we unclench our fists, a peace that passing all understanding will come over us.  As a person who struggles with anxiety, Philippians 4:6-7 has become my “go-to”… Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. AMEN

Success! It's Not What You Think It Is

I Peter 5:5-11

Our society tells us that 'the early bird gets the worm.' And success is only achieved through our own efforts. You've certainly heard the expression "the harder he worked, the luckier he became." We nod sagely and say, yes, it's all about hard work. No one cares more about your success than you do.' 

And yet....and yet. Scripture offers a radically different view. In today's passage, Paul tells us to 'clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.' He also instructs us to 'humble yourselves under God's mighty hand.' And did I mention that scripture talks about suffering? A lot? (Be sure to read v. 10....and just google 'suffering in the Bible' and you will get pages and pages of verses to examine).

So what does an American Christian, steeped in the "pull yourselves up by your bootstraps" ethos, do? We open our Bibles, we ask God to show us how to live. And we 'cast all our anxiety on Him, because he cares for us.' (v. 7). We don't cast some of our anxiety on Him. We cast it all. And when we want to reel it back in to handle it ourselves, we confess our sin, and we give it back to him. Again. And again. And again....

Lord, I want to live for you. Help me to draw closer to you, and to cast all my cares on you. Amen.

.....Because He Cares for YOU!!

1 Peter 5:5-11

One of my favorite verses is I Peter 5:7:  Cast all your anxiety on  him because he cares for you.

Eleven words.  So simple.  And yet so very, very profound. For today, let's focus on this verse.

Cast ALL your anxiety on him.  What anxiety are you holding onto today?

- Did you just receive negative health news?
-Is your marriage in trouble?
-Are the bill collectors at your door?
-Is your child in trouble?
-Are you facing a layoff at work?
-Are you depressed and feeling like there is no hope for you?

These kinds of anxieties can be so profound they paralyze us.  We don't know how to move forward, and we're so afraid of what is going to happen next.

Or your anxieties may be minor:

-You are frustrated with your job
-Your son/daughter is struggling in school
-Your spouse is frustrated at work and you don't know how to encourage him/her
-You are overwhelmed with work, family, and household responsibilities.

Cast all your anxieties on him.....because he cares for YOU.

Yes, he does.  He created you - he formed you in your mother's womb (Read Psalm 139 and rejoice and the God who loves you and knows you!).  Don't let the Evil One tell you otherwise!  As Peter says in v. 8-9:  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith!

Thank you, Lord, that you are just waiting for me to give my anxieties to you, the crippling huge ones and the small ones that I can't seem to conquer.  You care for me - more than I can ever fully comprehend.  What joy it is to cast my anxieties into your loving arms.  Amen.