Theme: Stress & Anxiety
Have you had enough? In this season of disruption, my rhythm has been to have three good days and one bad. Three days where I am relatively positive, optimistic, and hopeful followed by one day when I say to myself, "I've had enough!" Can you relate?
This Sunday we intentionally closed our morning worship with a prayer focused on stress and anxiety. The prayer is provided below. The main takeaway from this weekend was the statement, "God's presence and my best is enough." On those bad days, this has become my mantra. However, anytime we feel the effects of stress and anxiety this is a great trigger statement to say. We all practice "self-talk", so let's make it a practice this week to say this statement whenever we feel stressed or anxious. Just take a deep breath and say out loud or in your mind, "God's presence and my best is enough." Then let it be what it is.
Remember, most of what we worry about never happens. Sometimes what we worry about happens, but it's not as bad as we thought. Rarely what we worry about is worse than we thought, but even then, God's goodness and presence is with us and will see us through the situation.
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Prayer: Stress and Anxiety
“Father, my heart feels anxious (tell God what is giving you anxiety). I don’t like this feeling, but I’m thankful I can come to You and receive peace. You invite me to replace my anxiety with prayer, and even though my mind and heart are racing, I’m coming to You knowing that You provide healing and calm for my soul. Thank You for giving me breath and life. I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. I lay down all worries, all my physical and mental anxiety, and any attempt at trying to control it all (tell Him the things you are laying down right now). I surrender it all to You. I need You. I need Your peace that transcends my human understanding. Even if things are unstable around me, I pray that Your peace will be evident in my heart and my life. Guard my heart and mind, God. I trust that You are faithful, and I receive Your peace in my life today. God, your presence and my best is enough. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”
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