Down with Anxiety!

Just some thoughts from this past week:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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." Phil. 4:4-7

-Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. This is not a conditional statement. It's a command. It is not dependent on whether or not life is going as I'd like or whether everything seems to be going wrong. Rejoice always.

-Do not be anxious about anything. Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it gets you nowhere. And in the end, you're just tired and frustrated and have nothing to show for it.

-Bring everything to God with thanksgiving. We often read God our want list without expressing our gratitude for the things we have. Or we express to God what we are feeling and ask for His help, but again we do not thank him for the situation.

Lord,

Thank you for my bills, for they mean my needs are being met.

Thank you for tests and assignments, because they mean I am being challenged and prepared to serve.

Thank you for interaction with stressful people, because it means I have the opportunity to learn patience and understanding.

Thank you for my job and all of the good and bad aspects that come with it, because it means I am able to work.

Thank you for not letting me know the future, because it causes me to depend and trust in you alone.

Thank you for the daily reminder that I will never overcome sin, because it reminds me of your grace and mercy.

Thank you for health problems, because it makes me more appreciative of the times when I am healthy and nothing hurts.

Most of all, thank you for being faithful, even when I am not. You know my every need, and I trust you to provide. Help me to be anxious about nothing and thankful for everything.