I'm having a group of ladies over tonight for our monthly "Faith Group." We don't really have an official name, but that's what I am calling it for now. Haha! Our group has been dealing with the topic of anxiety. Man, this one has really hit home. We have studied the book by Max Lucado called Anxious for Nothing. This book is centered around Philippians 4:4-8. This is probably my all time favorite piece of scripture.
This book details how we as people are just anxious by nature. However as Christians, we should not be anxious. God is directing our steps. He's fully aware of the path that he has put us on, knowing each obstacle that will arise before we do. I know that for myself personally, I definitely struggle with anxiety. Who doesn't? I know that I get anxious every morning as a substitute teacher. What class will I be in? How is the day going to go? Will any behavior problems or drills take place? I have been trying to remind myself that God has put me in that particular situation for that day. There's nothing that he put before me, that I can't handle because God is on my side.
If I could have highlighted every word in this book, I would have. Each page of this book has a pink highlighter mark on it with some sort of quote, scripture, or nugget of information highlighted on it. One particular section that I highlighted was a section on prayer. Max Lucado urges us to pray specifically. Specific prayer is a serious prayer, and helps us create a lighter load. Another aspect that I highlighted was the section on Gratitude. I tend to compare myself a lot. I compare my looks to other people, my job to other people, and I wallow in the pit of "if only" a lot. "If only I was richer like so and so, or if only I looked like so and so." Lucado says that I need to be G R A T E F U L. I need to be grateful that I have a job, grateful that I have a family who loves me, grateful that I'm able to do the things that I can do. As my trust in the Lord increases, my anxiety should disappear.
I did some extra study on Philippians, and the main ideas of this book in the Bible is to "Serve Others with Joy." One particular verse that stood out was Phil. 2:4 "Do everything without complaining or arguing." Not just some things, but EVERYTHING. Friends, that's hard. Here's how I look at that verse. The Lord doesn't complain when he hears our requests, he gives us one of three answers; Yes, No, and Wait on my timing. I'm guessing waiting is probably not your strong suit. Mine either. You mean I'm supposed to wait on God's perfect timing and not complain? Y E S. Our lives are not our own, they're God's.
Friends, I strongly suggest you go out and buy this book. Read it, and read it again. Each time you will gain new perspective of the anxious nature of ourselves, and how God can help you fix it. I promise you, knowing and having Jesus in your heart will be the best relationship you've ever had.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear from you!
This book details how we as people are just anxious by nature. However as Christians, we should not be anxious. God is directing our steps. He's fully aware of the path that he has put us on, knowing each obstacle that will arise before we do. I know that for myself personally, I definitely struggle with anxiety. Who doesn't? I know that I get anxious every morning as a substitute teacher. What class will I be in? How is the day going to go? Will any behavior problems or drills take place? I have been trying to remind myself that God has put me in that particular situation for that day. There's nothing that he put before me, that I can't handle because God is on my side.
If I could have highlighted every word in this book, I would have. Each page of this book has a pink highlighter mark on it with some sort of quote, scripture, or nugget of information highlighted on it. One particular section that I highlighted was a section on prayer. Max Lucado urges us to pray specifically. Specific prayer is a serious prayer, and helps us create a lighter load. Another aspect that I highlighted was the section on Gratitude. I tend to compare myself a lot. I compare my looks to other people, my job to other people, and I wallow in the pit of "if only" a lot. "If only I was richer like so and so, or if only I looked like so and so." Lucado says that I need to be G R A T E F U L. I need to be grateful that I have a job, grateful that I have a family who loves me, grateful that I'm able to do the things that I can do. As my trust in the Lord increases, my anxiety should disappear.I did some extra study on Philippians, and the main ideas of this book in the Bible is to "Serve Others with Joy." One particular verse that stood out was Phil. 2:4 "Do everything without complaining or arguing." Not just some things, but EVERYTHING. Friends, that's hard. Here's how I look at that verse. The Lord doesn't complain when he hears our requests, he gives us one of three answers; Yes, No, and Wait on my timing. I'm guessing waiting is probably not your strong suit. Mine either. You mean I'm supposed to wait on God's perfect timing and not complain? Y E S. Our lives are not our own, they're God's.
Friends, I strongly suggest you go out and buy this book. Read it, and read it again. Each time you will gain new perspective of the anxious nature of ourselves, and how God can help you fix it. I promise you, knowing and having Jesus in your heart will be the best relationship you've ever had.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'd love to hear from you!
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