Sunday, August 17, 2008

What to do with this anxiety

Well my friends...a lot going on this week, but I bet we could all say that huh??

I can sit here and be worrying, worked up, stewing on something, anxious in my stomach, blah blah blah just as quick as anything. Hours and hours can go by before I begin to realize what I'm doing. Or maybe I should say not doing.

Being busy with life, kids, family, jobs, friends, responsibilities is just what we do these days. These things can bring us complete joy and they can also bring loads of stress on us too.

So...what does scripture have to say about anxiety??? I hope to show you something new that you may not know.

Now, back to that 100-fold blessing God has in store for us.....which can all be found in Luke 8:8-16. How do we get this 100-fold blessing according to this scripture??? One more thing that Ms. Beth taught us in Louisville is this....

Vs. 14 tells us that we can become busy worrying about our lives and focusing on the pleasures of the world.

ISN'T THAT ALL OF US????

Worry, worry, worry about our lives and focusing too much on the pleasures of the world....yep...that can be so me!

Did you know that anxiety chokes the word right out of us?? Chokes us!!!!

Verse 14 actually says this..."The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature."

Let me just say this was me today in church. I was sitting there worrying about some Sunday school stuff that was coming up next. And, I had just told y'all the other day in another post that I would actually try to hear the word. That I would receive the word. That I would NOT be distracted. That I would get my Spiritual ADD in check.

Wouldn't you know....as soon as I uttered the words Satan said to me, "Sure you will." And He won.

What if we spend all this time in Bible study, having quiet time, attending church, and all that worry is still just taking over our lives?? I know it can with me.

Philippians 4:6 tells us "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Ummmm.....I think the scripture says give EVERYTHING to God when we are worried.

Ok, all of this we know. We know that prayer is the cure for anxiety. Why is it so hard? What if it does not immediately go away like we asked it to do??

Something the Lord keeps telling my stubborn heart over and over again is this....

"When we worry, we are not bowed down to Christ."

Think on that one a bit.

"When we worry, we do not have it bowed down to Christ."

1 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that God's riches are very different than the worlds riches. He speaks promises and blessings over us. Did you know that before the foundation of the world He also said "Let there be Fran?" What a beautiful thought when you put your own name in that sentence. Go ahead...say it out loud. :)

If you are worried about something today....I know I bet we can all probably name a few things....then spend some time in prayer and completely put it under the feet of Christ and His authority.

I pray that He take that pain of worry and turn it into full blown passion for Him and the amazing power of His Word.

Stop the choke today!!!!!

Let Him bless you with the promises He desperately wants to give.

Be blessed friends. He loves you so much. He died to take that worry for you. Give it to Him.

Hug and blessings~


20 comments:

BethAnne said...

Well, my friend, it's a funny thing that I visited your blog right now, because hubs and I were just having a conversation about something that is causing me anxiety: peer pressure at school for Lake. I know he is only in 2nd grade, but I have some (mostly irrational) fears about his bowing to peer pressure to fit in with some of the kids who are "cool" (but really arent, you know the ones of which I speak).

Guess I should bow that one down, huh? Thanks for a good word. I will be praying for you as you go through your busy week which includes a trip to SA without your favorite friend from the other end (of the state that is ;-)!!!!

jennyhope said...

I so know what you mean and I was going to tell you that I have been doing LORD change My Attitude by James MacDonald and now I have been attacked with my attitude every day. Guess I needed to deal with my stuff!!

Alana said...

Dear Fran. You have no idea how much that spoke to me. How much I needed to hear each and every word of this post. If you've read my most recent post, you will know that I'm fighting some anxiety right now. I'm going to save this one and come back to it. Thanks so much for sharing this with me today! Love ya!

beckyjomama said...

Ummm, I would comment, but you gave me a LOT to chew on and my mama said to never talk with my mouth full!

Love ya Frannie!
XOXOXOXOX
Becky Jo

MelanieJoy said...

Tomorrow is the first day of school here. Tomorrow if He chooses to give it to me is not going to start the way it was suppose to...it was suppose to be the first day of my new job. Instead I'll be at my old job a little longer...I so have to put my attitude at His feet in the morning.
I was able to keep my nephew the otherday. I've been worrying over some things with my sister and I found myself praying over every room in her house...gave me a bit of peace.
Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great week! Blessings~

Teresa said...

Sweet sister..."let there be..."has overwhelmed my heart this morning! thank you for reminding me of that and reminding me not to let satan choke that truth out.
love,
Teresa

Denise said...

Amen, give the worry away my friend.

Cheryl said...

I heard a speaker last week make this statement:
"I believe worry is a form of atheism."

Chew on that one for a while!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am a ball of worry all the time. I have such trouble letting it all go to GOD! I get that whole in my gut and my day is ruin.
Thanks for sharing.

GammySel said...

Fran-
I try not to worry. I am truly not a worry wort- that title is held by my beloved. (he worries more than I do) But there are things, and times with things eat at me. Like today- I received a phone call from my doctor saying I need to make an appointment to discuss my test results, which means there is something abnormal.(note: My doctor just sends you normal test results in the mail.) In this matter- I have to trust God and know He will be with me no matter what the issue is!

Please pray for me!

Your Siesta
Angie

ocean mommy said...

Ohhhhh This was good and right on time for me. :)

love you
steph.

Patty said...

I needed this today!!! Thank you so much!!!

Love,
Patty

annette said...

"Anxiety=choking" and "when we worry we have not bowed it down to God" BOTH step on my toes this morning as I know you speak much truth, my friend. Laying it down is more than a one time thing for me. I keep picking it back up, but real surrender doesn't look much like that, does it? Good word for me today. Can't wait to see your sweet face in person! Love, Annette

Linda said...

You have no idea how much this particular post has helped me today. God's timing is so perfect.
I will pray for you!
Blessings,
Linda

Nicole said...

Wow...I really needed that. I had a really wild day today and needed to be reminded of His Word. It is so easy to get caught up in the things of this world! My kids start school tomorrow( I have homeschooled them up until now) and even though they will only be going two days a week, I have worried about so many things. Jesus, help me to bow down to you!

Hope to meet you this weekend!! I cant wait!

A Stone Gatherer said...

Yep those weeds have choked me a time or two or 1000! God is faithful though, he is teaching me to trust and be calm in all things! I love that you used Phil 4! Last week I read it just in (God's) time! With things starting up full throttle at church and a few things up in the air, it would be easy for me to become stressed! I have been amazed at my peace!

connie said...

You are in my prayers...
Thank you for all the great things you say to me...
Connie
GBU

Momma 2...5 said...

Thanks Fran for those words! I REALLY needed to hear them!

ocean mommy said...

It's Tuesday evening and I came back to read this again. :)

See you in about 48 hours!!

steph.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Anxiety is a huge tool of the devil. Thanks for the reminder that nothing happens to us that doesn't pass through the protective hand of our Father.


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