Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 MSG 

“Fear, he is a liar. He will take your breath; stop you in your steps” What powerful lyrics of truth!  Fear is the beast that robs our joy, when we long to breathe in peace. It doesn’t allow us to experience what God wants us to enjoy. And, it doesn’t prepare us to welcome calm.   

God has plans for our days. He wants us to have an abundant life, but sometimes we spend too much time worrying. We allow doubt to cover our calm and anxious thoughts consume us. But, God knows our EVERY need. He knows our every thought. He sees inside the wounds of our weakness. And, when we’ve been by Him, He breaks the chains that bind us.   

Our loving Father provides for His children. He draws us nearer and cradles us in care. When we need to find strength from mercy and grace, He leads us to the cross. In quiet moments of surrender, we gratefully appreciate what Jesus did for EACH one of us. We begin to understand the depth of His suffering and find strength from His sacrifice of love.

Christ knows of our suffering. And, when we feel the weight of the world, we must remember it’s nothing compared to the weight of the cross. When we surrender the burdens of worry, Jesus takes it ALL. He took our pain and the sins of the world. He knows how to help us find PEACE. The Bible says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11: 29 NIV

God will open our hearts to find peace as we trust in the guiding of His will. He is SO much bigger than the worries of our hearts. Our prayers of need will turn to prayers of praise, if we humbly seek Him and choose to receive the power of His love. He will transform us. He is God! He is good. He will take our fear and replace it with PEACE that passes all understanding. He has the power to strengthen our hearts.    

Dear God, Thank you for reminding us why YOU are bigger than our fear. Thank you for Jesus! Humble our hearts as we remember the sacrifice of His love. Help us remember we are not alone in our circumstances.  You are worthy of our praise! Ready our hearts to experience the love of Your faithfulness, as we receive Your perfect peace. We will trust in You and welcome the blessing of a grateful heart. Amen