Rely on God

Philippians 4:6-7, 13 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.  I do everything through Him who gives me strength.

Do you truly understand what Paul is telling you?  I didn't.

My entire life I have been an anxious person.  When I was younger, I used to have major stomach problems.  My tummy always hurt.  "Up high" is where the pain was.  I was taken to the pediatrician often.  I had esophageal reflux syndrome as a baby, so I guess my parents and the doctor thought the pains were residual from this syndrome.

It wasn't until my dad took me to a specialist that we found out what the issue was.  The stomach pains had nothing to do with my stomach, but my head.  It was anxiety.  I am sure that was the last thing my parents expected, but I assume relieved since there wasn't anything physically wrong with me.  I remember sitting with my dad at IHOP eating pancakes and he kept asking me what was wrong and was I upset about anything.  I am sure I know what the issue was looking back on the situation, but I hadn't a clue then.
It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized that anxiety isn't something you can just get rid of.  GAD, general anxiety disorder is: exaggerated worry and tension, often expecting the worst, even when there is no apparent reason for concern.It wasn't until my dad took me to a specialist that we found out what the issue was.  The stomach pains had nothing to do with my stomach, but my head.  It was anxiety.  I am sure that was the last thing my parents expected, but I assume relieved since there wasn't anything physically wrong with me.  I remember sitting with my dad at IHOP eating pancakes and he kept asking me what was wrong and was I upset about anything.  I am sure I know what the issue was looking back on the situation, but I hadn't a clue then.

So what does that have to do with the Philippians?  It means not only then, but now, we can rely on God to help us through our sorrows.  Nothing is too big or small to bring to God.  He may know what will happen to us, but He does not control how we handle it.  Handing over your sorrows and anxiety is easy to say, right?  It is about trust.  Trusting God will handle life for us.  Do you trust Him?  If you trust Him, He will ease your anxiety.

I have a major issue going on at work that is causing a lot of stress in my life.  And it is only going to get worse in the coming weeks.  Typically, I would be worrying over it day and night.  No, really.  That is all I would be able to think about and talk about.  But, for the first time in my life I let God take over.  I am trusting Him to work it out for me and get me through the work problem.  And I am completely at peace.  Seriously.  I still think about it, but not to worry.  I think about it to make sure I am really at peace.  Yep!  It is freeing knowing God is there for me.

I don't know why it is so hard for humans to trust each other or God.  He has kept every promise.  He has loved us even when we turn our backs on Him.  And yet, we still don't trust Him.  God will see you through whatever trouble you are having.  He will comfort you and take away the anxiety and hurt.  All you have to do is trust Him.  It is the best thing I have ever done for myself.