Friday, September 3, 2010

Caught!

I've been caught!
I recently wrote this on my Facebook and Twitter:
"Ask God for peace and then let him give it to you. Quit rehearsing those worries in your mind. Concentrate instead on his love and goodness."
My pastor then asked if I was preaching to myself.
He sure caught me.
When I wrote that I think I was talking to myself as much as anybody. I have a habit of praying for peace and then worrying afterward. It's not that I can't feel the peace that God gives, but then sometimes I really have to work hard to keep other thoughts from creeping in. I have to make a conscious decision - sometimes more than once - that I'm not going to worry about something that "could" happen in the future.
Lately I'm having to remind myself to concentrate on Jesus (certainly to pray to him) and then not to lose that focus and start looking at whatever storm may - or may not - be brewing around me.
I need help with this, because it doesn't come naturally. So I need to pray:
"Dear Lord,
Please help me to keep my focus on you and your word. Help me to concentrate on you. Help me to pray BEFORE I let myself get caught up in a whirlwind of worry. Please give me the peace that passes all understanding and guard my heart and mind in you."
Thank you Lord for your many blessings!
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:2.
"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 minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.

Blessings,

Tammy

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