I Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV).
Debt…medical problems…aging parents…overbooked schedule…disrespectful children. If I could sit down with each of you, the problems you are facing would probably look different, but the feelings about them might be very similar.
It’s hard to be worried when you’re happy. It’s difficult to be anxious when you’re at peace. This was a hard concept for me to grasp (and I’ve not perfected it yet), but I think I’m starting to get it. Worry, anxiety, and disappointment are not attributes of God. Peace, happiness, and joy are. A good friend of mine, Marianne Clements, reminded me that “when we focus on the problem solver instead of our problems,” our whole perspective changes. The problems won’t automatically go away, but the peace, joy, and underlying happiness despite the stresses you’re facing will allow for a clearer mind and more levelheaded thinking.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed with your list of life’s challenges, remember that God commands us to give Him our worries for a reason. “The thing is, when (we) are submitted to God, it’s doesn’t matter what your salary is or how (big the problem is), God can supernaturally cause your situation to improve… faster than you can in the natural” (Marianne Clements). In addition, the way He goes about it bringing the answer you need is more spectacular than anything you can imagine. Try it and see!
