Gratitude in exchange for anxiety

"Rejoice in the Lord always;

again I will say, rejoice!

Let your reasonableness be known to all, the Lord is at hand;

do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.

And

the peace of God which surpasses all understanding

will

guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:4-7

Words like anything and everything we need to be careful with. "My son doesn't eat anything..." is obviously not true, and "she complains about everything..." is most likely not true either. But the Bible uses those all inclusive words here with blinking and my heart needs to learn something from them. 

I believe that we serve an all knowing God. He knows that you are down to pennies in the bank, you have creditors calling, friends backbiting, imperfect spouses, impatient bosses and a an electric bill to pay. He knows your health is iffy, the weather is cold and you could stand to lose another 15 pounds. He knows that inspite of your bulging closets, you have nothing to wear and your mother can be crazy and overbearing. God still uses that word. Nothing. Be anxious about nothing, but in everything through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

As you redirect your heart from worry to gratitude, you will undoubtedly stand amazed at the strands of faithfulness and favor you see woven through the fabric of your life. Take time today to thank God. I would encourage you to move through the alphabet, A to Z, and thank him for at least 26 things that in reality, because of your sinful nature, you do not deserve. God is faithful and by practicing gratitude, you are not denying your pain, heartache or anxiety, you're just not focusing on it. As a result, the peace of God, which is greater than our human minds can fathom, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.

Be blessed as you walk in gratitude today dear friend.

<><tce