July 16, 2021

I just heard someone say that Kindle follows what people read, the books that are favorites, and what they underline. They say that Philippians 4:6 is the most underlined sentence in all time in all books.

Phil 4:6-7. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Bible has much to say about anxiety.

Luke 21:34. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.

I used to struggle with anxiety and I have found now that I can so often give it to God, but I have a “funny” little story about my day. I wrote the above to start the this devotion about 10:00 am. I wasn’t sure where I would be going with it at that point. I had texted a couple of praying friends and asked for prayer for my peace during the test and the test results because at 1:00 pm I had to be at Edward’s hospital for 2 MRI’s of my head. I had been at Mayo in February and had 3 hours of consecutive MRI’s and by the last ½ hour I wanted to scream & get out! I am a little claustrophobic, plus, I don’t sit still for long much less lay PERFECTLY still with loud jack hammer noises all around. So I was a little concerned.
The doctor had given me a Valium to calm me, just before it. So assuming I would be groggy afterwards, I decided to make BBQ chicken on the grill this morning for our dinner. I took the chicken off and left the grill on for just a minute but when I looked out, there were the biggest black clouds of sooty looking smoke billowing out of the grill. I could tell I couldn’t open it as the flames were too high inside. Thankfully it wasn’t near the house to melt siding. And SEVERAL minutes later it started to dissipate. Then I sat down to order something online when I realized I couldn’t find my credit card! I looked on my living room chair & stuck my hand down the side incase it slide there, only to be stuck by a nail, now to find a bandaid…. I remembered the last time I used it was Walgreens so they put it in an envelope with the meds. OH NO! I may have burned those papers…. AT that point I said, “Lord, help me find that card.” As soon as I said it, I thought of my pile of receipts on my desk waiting to be filed. There it was! I have to tell you I am giggling as I write this. I asked for peace and got craziness. But that’s ok. God was with me, He heard me and when I needed it at the hospital, He comforted me. My only anxiety was just a moment in the MRI before it started, when she put a cover over my eyes, so she took the cover off and I was fine. I’d say it was a very blessed day!
Thank you Lord, for all you do. For promising to help with anxiety, forgiving us for our mistakes, for loving us no matter how we react to crazy days. Praising you in ALL things. AMEN. Phil 4:6-7 covers it all!
PS, I took the Valium but never felt anything from it. Who needs it? I have God!