Do Not Be Anxious

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

I wish I could say that I was a wife and mom that never worried or was anxious about different issues in life, but that would not be true.  I tend to have an over-active imagination and can often fret about a situation before it ever even happens.   

When my children were young, I was anxious when they first started toddling around, fearing they would fall and hurt themselves.  As they grew older, I worried about other children being cruel to them at school or hurting their feelings.  Each of them played numerous sports and was involved in a variety of activities, so I often stood on the sidelines praying for their safety.

And then they begin dating!  I desired each of my children to find the Godly mate that God had for them, and when someone stepped into their lives that caused me concern, I confess…I was anxious…actually, I was a mess!!

When my husband lost his job, I wondered how we would meet our financial obligations during that time.

And these are only a few of the items that caused me to lay awake at night worrying…then praying and seeking God’s will in my life, my husband’s life, or the life of one of my children.

I have grown in this area over the years.  Of course, I am still a work in progress, but God is continuing to remind me to bring my cares and concerns to HIM, trusting Him in all situations.

A few years ago, my husband and I felt it was time to sell our larger home.  With all of our children grown and married, we felt it was time to downsize.  However, we made this decision when the economy was struggling, so there was very little interest in our home at that time.

About six months ago, our neighbors expressed interest in purchasing our home and proceeded to place their home on the market.  We waited patiently for them to tell us that their home had sold and they were ready to move into our home.  After a few months, we noticed that the “for sale” sign was no longer in their yard and assumed they had become discouraged and were no longer interested in purchasing our home. 

However, I still feel it was time to downsize, and I felt we should give it one more shot, so I placed our home on a new “For Sale By Owner” website!  I took pictures of the front and back of our home and each room and carefully marketed our home on this site.

Once this task was accomplished, I woke early on a Saturday morning and truly surrendered my will to God.  Though I felt our home was too large for us, I wondered if God had some thing else in mind for us?  Were we to open up our home to help others?  I poured my heart out to God in my prayer journal, and felt a true sense of surrendering it all to the Lord. 

As I drove to a reception later that afternoon, I received a call from a couple asking if they could see our home.  They had just viewed it on the website.  After spending over an hour with them as they walked through our home, we learned that we were both Christians.  This couple had moved to the area and had also been praying for their future home.  They shared how they had been praying for a home that God had for them, and I shared with them what I had written in my prayer journal that morning.

When they left our home, I wasn’t sure if I would see them again (I hoped so…I had invited them to visit our church), and I was so blessed to meet them.  Again, I had peace that God was in control!  The next day this precious couple called, and offered to purchase our home!  Needless to say, I am knee-deep in packing and boxes, and thought I do not know what the future holds, I know the ONE who holds the future!

When I look back on my life, this is just one of numerous times that God has moved in my life and the life of my family.  He is faithful!

I reminded daily of what God’s word says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”

I wish I could say that I would never worry or be anxious again, but as I previously stated, God’s not done with me yet.  And prayerfully, I will bring my concerns to HIM before they become worries.

Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for the daily reminder to bring our cares and concerns to you.  Thank you that we can walk in peace, regardless of our current circumstances, because we know that you are in control and already are aware of our concerns.  Help us Lord to present our prayer requests to you each day with thanksgiving in our hearts.