Perspective

I thought about where my mindset was last fall. I was dealing a lot with anxiety with all the media drama, predictions of economic collapse, the Presidential election, things slowing down at my husband's job, and so many lay-offs in the area. I have spent the good part of a year in worry and looking back, the worst case scenarios did not happen. In fact, it hasn't even been that inconvenient for us personally other than my anxiety issue as I dwell in "what-if-land".

It is a lesson to me on how futile worry and anxiety is and how little faith I have. As I think about all the things I worry about, I see that the worst I can imagine never happens. In this past year God sustained us, my husband still has his job, our country hasn't fallen off the face of the earth because of Obama, we didn't go into the next Great Depression. It encoruages me to renew my effort to take my thoughts captive and put my faith in the Lord into practice more, to believe he is who he says he is and will do all he promises he will do.

I also found this devotional entry from last year and I feel the same way today:

Dear Lord,

I bring you my shortcomings...because Your Word says that in my weakness you are strong and I feel like such a wimp in these trying times. I have so many shortcomings but when I look closer, I see that they are by your design and behind each one is a strength waiting to develop as I surrender them to you.

I bring you my worship and praise...
because Your Word says you inhabit the praise of your people and when I worship You, I feel your presence. Today I praise your name, Jehovah Jireh, because you are the Lord who provides.

I bring you my prayer...
because Your Word says to tell you what I need so that I'm not anxious about anything. Help me take my anxious thoughts captive and leave them with You, knowing that nothing is happening that isn't passing through Your hands first. You are in control. Thank you for your provision and protection.

You spoke to me...
"I have loved you with an everlasting love."
Jeremiah 31:3
"The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
Deuteronomy 33:27