My mom just sent me a text message that reads, "When you get a chance, read Philippians 4:6-7. It sure helps me. Can't wait to see you!" So I looked up Philippians 4:6-7...its a familiar verse that most know, and this is how it goes...
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 hears and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Over the past couple days, I have been in trying circumstances that really test my patience and my trust in the Lord. I had to jump my car in the pouring down rain, while sparks were flying all around my hands as I tried to attach the cables. My phone was ran over and was toast, never to work again. Then I was in a minor car accident. Praise God no one was hurt, but the damage on the car is not too pleasant. Just when I thought things couldn't get much worse, my school schedule went up in flames, resulting in many unfortunate misunderstandings and frustrations between a professor and myself. There were schedule conflicts with the youth ministry I'm involved in. I have no food in my apartment because I have no car to get to a grocery store. I'm going off of the small amounts of food that were able to be left in my cupboards over break. And on top of all of this, I have a cold that makes it hard for me to sleep at night. And every time I would kneel down to pray...my insurance company would call.
I say all of this not to complain, but to hopefully show that even through trying circumstances that pile up one after another, I can have complete peace. I can let my mind be at rest because I know that my God is with me and that He has my hand through all of this. The Bible tells me not to be anxious about any of these situations, but instead to pray about them.
The verse also tells me to pray with thanksgiving in my heart, even through these situations. I think that this is very important. Sometimes that can be hard to do, but when I step back and look at the big picture, I know that God has everything in control, and for that I can be thankful.
So I encourage you today. If you are going through a hard time... don't just roll your eyes at this verse you think you've heard a million times. God's word never goes dry and never grows old. There is always something new and fresh to take from His word. Remember that we can have complete peace through our hardships, so there is no need to be anxious. Use God as your umbrella in the rain.
PS- Thanks mama for your encouraging words :)
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