{Today’s post is from my sweet friend Carmen. We are two peas in a pod – we both have a passion for the scriptures, love to laugh, and are rule followers. Carmen has a soft spot for hurting women. She walks arm in arm with them and encourages them to embrace God’s truth. I know you will love her writing!}
“But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I.” John 5:17
My eyes are as wide as an owl. I can’t shut off my mind. Looking for the solution to the problem, the situation that I find myself. There must be an answer.
Of course there is and as I struggle to discover it, I remind myself, you can sleep, God’s still awake.
I like to help God. Don’t you? Planning is in my genes. It just seems logical that I just may have the perfect idea to solve this situation and if I clue God in on it, we will have a solution. Just call me junior god.
God knew our struggle over fear, anxiety and control would weigh us down. He understood we would toss and turn, chew our nails, and try to fix everything. Psalm 121 is a mere eight verses, but those eight verses are powerful affirmations of God’s provision and protection, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.”1
When we grasp this beautiful concept, it makes laying our head on our pillow each night a welcomed blessing. A time we look forward to as an opportunity for renewal.
When we forget He is alert, present and always working, we lose sleep and that is the very thing God created for us that equips us for the day ahead.
My mom in her wisdom has told me many times, “If you can get a good night’s sleep, you can face almost anything.” And, as usual, mom is right.
Here are a couple of questions I ask myself when I am struggling with anxiety over an issue:
- Is there anything I can do? If there is nothing I can do to change the situation, then well, there’s nothing I can do. It is either in someone else’s hands or the only hands that can change it will be God’s.
- Have I looked for the truth in the situation or am I fretting over scenarios that have not happened and may never happen? This is big for me because I am notorious for crossing bridges before I get to them. Sometimes I think I should be a fiction writer. I can dream up some stuff, but most often my plots don’t seem to have a happy ending.
Our challenge is really about trust. Can we believe Him when He says He is always working and never asleep? Can we believe Him when He assures us His plan is for good and not disaster?2
[tweetthis]The remedy for the ailment of anxiety is trust.[/tweetthis]
The next time you find yourself in a tizzy or tossing and turning instead of sleeping, take a deep breath, ask yourself these couple of questions and pray for God to transform your anxiety into peace.
I have found praying God’s Word is powerful. Let’s use this verse for one you can hold on to tonight, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 Change those pronouns to your name and it’s gets to be a personal slice of The Bread of Life.
Can you picture the transformation that believing God and taking Him at His word can make in your life? Imagine how making the choice to grab hold of these nuggets of gold from God can change the quality of the life you are living today.
We need peace. We need to know that when we have no clue, God is working. To believe this we must have faith; we must trust; we must make a choice. “The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.”3
Gather with me under Jesus’ umbrella.
1Psalm 121:4, NLT
2Jeremiah 29:11, NLT
3Psalm 121:5, NLT
Carmen and I love to hear your thoughts! Everyone who comments on her post this week, will be entered to win a copy of Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling Devotional Journal. Shower Carmen with your love and comments! Winner to be announced next week.
Being a wife, mom and serving women through her local congregation has been great preparation for Carmen’s passion – writing, speaking and, helping others move past brokenness. She has been married to her fella, Lary, for 38 years. Carmen is currently pursuing a certification in Christian Life Coaching through the American Association of Christian Counselors and is excited to see where God will use her training for His glory. She adores dark chocolate and visiting the beach. Her family makes their home in the Bayou State. You will find her talking about life at carmenhorne.com.
This is so true! I’m finally, slowly, learning to really let go of things that I can’t fix (and that’s a lot), and to trust God to handle it in His way, in His time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! And hey, if you ever need ideas for that fiction writing, let me know – my brain can come up with some pretty crazy stuff chasing the “what ifs”, too. 🙂
Lisa we could do a compilation book!
Anytime God sends me a message, it’s because He knows I have some learning to do. I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit. Have a blessed day!
Oh, those “what ifs” – maybe we should begin a contributor blog with just what if stories! The tales we could tell. And the trust we would learn! God is so gracious with us in our anxieties. “Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 Thanks for visiting today Lisa! I’m off to your website to see what the big fat f is…
Awesome! I LOVE that book. I’m sharing with my Bible study friends, so they can enter!
So good to see you Kristine! Now that’s a good Bible study friend. Passing on a great opportunity for free stuff. Free, good stuff! I love Sarah’s thoughts as well.
Peace and grace to you!
Kristine, great idea! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful day!
Our anxiety is a reflection of how doubtful we are inside. It is hard trusting in very difficult situations but it is the best thing we can do. I like when you said “a personal slice of The Bread of Life” sounds more like a daily dose of Grace.
Love this Carmen.
God Bless Ellen and Carmen.
Ifeoma, it really is a reflection of our hearts isn’t it? Lord, may we get trust from our heads to our hearts.
Peace and grace friend.
Ifeoma, how true! Our outward anxiety is the manifestation of our inward doubts! I pray that we would learn to walk in trust with The One who is trustworthy! Blessings to you today, my friend!
I needed this tonight!
Hello my friend! I’m so glad the Lord spoke to you through Carmen’s words! I love how He meets us just when we need Him most!
Oh I’m so glad you stopped by Elizabeth. God seems to send a word just when we need it.
Peace and grace to you!
Can I shower you BOTH with love??? You are so right … peace is a choice , as is joy, and love, and contentment. Our gracious God gave us the free will to choose and when we settle our hearts with Him, that choice becomes oh so much easier!
Yes! You can shower us both with all your love! We love you! Thanks so much for stopping by, and the re-tweets! Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you for all the love Christa! Sending it right back friend.
You are so right, it’s all about choice. Sometimes it takes a bit to see that in tough situation, but we can choose peace.
Blessings!
It’s happened far too often. I’ve tried to help Jesus as well. Why oh why? The remedy for anxiety is trust….yes! Enjoyed your post, Carmen, it’s spot-on.. Thanks for opening your blog pages, Ellen. Love seeing LA girls uniting. Visiting today as a fellow rule follower. 😀
Kristi! You? A rule-follower? Say it ain’t so! I’m so glad you stopping to visit. You are such an encouragement to me! Blessings to you today, my friend!
Kristi you ole rule follower you. I’m glad to see your smiling face friend.
I am multi-faceted girl. If I think someone needs direction, I become junior holy spirit. If I think someone needs saving from whatever, I become junior jesus. It just goes on and on…. He’s still working on me.