Surpasses all...

Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers,whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

A passage I am familiar with, but one that I haven’t thought about much lately. I remember like 5-8 years ago, this was a passage that I had written out on cute paper and posted near my bedroom light switch. Every time I walked out of the room, I saw it. Every time I entered the room, I saw it. It was a constant reminder to me that God was with me and my anxious ways were in His hands to deal, and not for me to deal with. How could I forget this passage over the years? How have I come to be so anxious? I find myself anxious over the littlest of things. And then in the big ways too (or maybe what I consider big ways). Maybe anxious is a strong word, but I highly doubt that in my life! :) I get excited over the fact of calling someone and making an appointment. I keep it on my brain until I do it. What is that? And then if I don’t hear from someone quick enough, I get anxious to hear from them…like a kid waiting for Christmas ! Yikes…

And then today, as I’m at work and putting together a PowerPoint for our upcoming sermon, I read the scripture Philippians 4:4-9. And I think…ah….where has this verse been in my life lately? Well, it’s always been there, I’ve just chosen to forget it. :( It makes me sad. This verse holds so much power and love! I feel God saying to me, “Kelly, daughter of mine, take your anxiety to me. Let me figure out this situation for you and you just LOVE on life.” Okay God…I’m letting you take my anxieties. Ah…that’s a big one. Lord Jesus, I want to let go of the anxiety of buying a house, of needing a place to call our own, of the struggles I feel where we are. I take that anxiety to you Lord and give me the peace I need to keep moving forward in my everyday life. Through these struggles I’ve been feeling lately, I give you thanks for what I am experience or enduring through. Through these things, I know I’m gaining strength and understanding and peace! I thank you for thistime in my life, for it’s the time you’ve given me to grow and stretch me and I just pray to you that I would see it and not let it go of the opportunities you have placed in front of me to grow and stretch me. I’m so thankful for what you are doing in my life!