Saturday, February 13, 2010

Anxiety

Another thing we talked about this week during Breaking Free was how arrogance or pride dethrones God. Anxiety does too. It supposes that God is NOT in control. It sees situations and problems as some potential disaster with no solution. It considers NONE of the power that Christ has in our lives or that God has a purpose for those situations that is growing or teaching or some other positive thing like refinement. It's actually not that far from arrogance. The arrogance of leaving God OUT of the picture of you life and supposing that it is something you have to deal with alone and in your own control. And THAT is horrifying when you aren't fully resting in faith.

Right now, for some crazy reason, we are dealing with a lot of difficulties that are really pushing us to faith that He has a plan - not to harm but to prosper. We have not fallen completely off the cliff but let's just say I'm seeing over the edge and it's a long way down and the footing isn't great. I am SOOOOOO much the anxious worrier. In the last 10 days I have found myself just overcome with anxiety on several occasions - possibly even constantly in the pit of my stomach. I don't know why more now than any other time but I seem less equipped to handle it. First Bob was consoling and then he even has panicked - which was an even bigger test for me. I'm praying more and asking for prayer. Praying for wisdom. Praying for peace. Crying out to Him that I know we made the bed we're in financially but we want very desperately to honor Him with our decisions and actions now. Ironically that was another big lesson I learned this week from bible study. God still listens when we're in the middle of reaping what we sow. I'm crying out to Him now. Please Father, lead us to the ways that will give you the glory that we didn't show you so long with finances. We are completely unable to do it without you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

1 comment:

Susanz Place said...

this must be the place God in all His love and grace is taking us all too. I get the feeling that this is his slow process in teaching us all how to live with less and depend on Him more for EVERYTHING. During a convo the other day we came to the conclusion that in 5 years from now we may not even recognize our country so these hard times are really the gift He is giving us to train us for those upcoming times.

One closing thought on the anxiety thing - focus on praising Him out loud and off of ourselves. Super Hard but 100% works. Try it !!!

here is a good exercise I shared at our leaders Retreat last weekend. Either worship Him or praise Him out loud and when you get to the place where you feel peace, joy and just completely surrounded by His love then at that moment think about looking at Him in His face and saying,"No Lord I won't trust You with this trial" - betcha can't do it!!!!
:0)