Good morning, readers!
Last night was a really difficult one for me. Currently, I'm dealing with the loss of a friendship. One of my closest friends hasn't spoken a word to me in over a month. Seeing him for the first time in a while at church last night was, consequently, really hard on me. I was so caught up in "Why haven't we talked at all? Did I do something wrong? Maybe I'm really annoying.." that I started into my default mode: panic. I was so worried that it took my best friend (who is incredible, my total other half) reminding me to pray before I realized, "Oh! Why am I worrying? God is going to take care of me!" How sad. I struggle with anxiety, and I often find my attacks distracting me to the point that I forget I have a God who will work everything out for "the good of those who love Him" [Romans 8:28]. Its times like that when I have to force myself to slow down and think, "Okay. Devon, shut up. God is going to handle this. You don't have to worry. In fact, he says not to! 'Do not be anxious about anything' [Phil. 4:6] 'Cast all your anxieties on Him' [1 Peter 5:7]." Wow. So why do we worry? At least for me, I think those anxiety attacks are a form of "spiritual warfare". My pastor, David Daniels, recently preached an excellent sermon series on this topic, and defined spiritual warfare as "any conflict or challenge that threatens my confidence in who God is and what God is doing and tempts me to think, feel or act in an ungodly way." Absolutely! When I have those attacks, it's like I forget that God is working on my behalf. That is spiritual warfare! I know I'm not the only one who struggles with this. Just a few weeks ago, in fact, when I was speaking to a youth group in Galveston during a worship service, I mentioned my struggle with anxiety and a young woman in the back raised her hand and said, "Amen!" It's good to know I'm not alone. Of course, I never am. My Abba Father is with me at all times. Anyways, reminders to myself and to those of you who share my struggle:
1. Trust God! One of my favorite verses lately has been 1 Peter 5:6-7, which says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Seems like it's easier said than done, yeah? It really is that simple. Our Father cares for us and (though we don't deserve it) cares about our problems. Psalm 34:17 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their trouble." We have a God who is mighty to save! He will deliver.
2. Take a deep breath. Present your request to God. Surrender control (which is something that I struggle really, really hard with) and let Him direct your course. I promise, it will turn out so much better than any course you could pick for yourself.
I started writing this blog intending to take it in a completely different direction than it actually ended up taking. Oh well. I hope that these words can be an encouragement to you, as well as serve as a reminder to myself! One thing I had intended to share, however, was Psalm 33. It is definitely one of my all time favorite Psalms, and as I was searching for some words of comfort, Biblegateway (lame way to look up a verse, but really helpful when you can't remember which one of the 150 Psalms your'e looking for) directed me to this one. I hadn't read it in a while, but each time I read it I fall more and more in love with it! I encourage you all to read it and take delight in the greatness of God! Sing a new song!
Psalm 33
1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
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