Anxiety

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything give thanks...Philippians 4:6
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil%204:4-20&version=NLT

If anyone had reason to be anxious it was Paul. It would be easy to succumb to life's difficulties while rotting in a Roman prison wondering if release or wrongful death sentence was next. So there he was, writing to you and to me via the church at Philippi, urging us to stop worrying, but to use this time especially, to be thankful through prayer and petition to God our Father.

Worry and its' buddy anxiety, do their best to immobilize us, especially when it comes to things out of our control, like tomorrow. Living fearful about future events that may happen or could happen, I'm convinced is what shortened the life of my dad. My mom and I were talking about this yesterday and how he never could seem to enjoy life because he was always worried about tomorrow. He's not alone.

Living a distressed life leads one to settle for an existing life rather than one of expectation and excitement. Maybe that's one of the reasons I love roller coasters; the excitement of the drops and turns and not being able to do a thing about it. Yet I know it will stay on track and get me back to where I need to be with my feet back on the ground. How much more can we rest and rely on the One who is in control?

Later in the chapter of Philippians 4, Paul pairs the idea of anxiousness to be replaced by "The peace that passes all understanding." I don't even try to understand all the things going on, but I can enjoy the peace that God gives me today, just for today. Tomorrow, He'll give me the peace I need for..tomorrow. So you know what? I'm going to let him guard my heart and mind.