I was distracted.
Shortly before I sat down at the computer to write we received news that a family member has entered the active dying phase.
Instead of writing a post for this blog what I really wanted to do was mindlessly play a card game on my computer or watch a movie where I did not have to think much about the plot line but just enjoy the scenery, clothing, or humor.
But instead, I texted friends who I knew I could ask to pray for the situation.
Each of them responded to me with a short prayer and encouragement.
I then opened my planning schedule to see what verse of scripture I had planned to work on today and read these words:
ESV Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Wow!
Can you feel the timeliness of this verse for my family’s current circumstances?
Emotionally I could have chosen to numb out for the rest of this day.
Thankfully, instead, I managed to choose to seek prayer from others, take a deep breath, and attempt to focus on the calling to write this post.
Studying the context of this verse I had chosen weeks ago for today’s post yielded even more gratefulness over the treasures the Lord has surprised me with today.
It is likely that Paul, the author of Philippians, was in prison at the time he was writing this letter.
Paul understood difficulties in life.
Yet, Paul still tells the church at Philippi to not be anxious, either for him or their own difficulties as they too were under persecution at the time.
- What situation are you experiencing today that you need to not be anxious about but instead pray to the Lord?
- Who can you ask to pray on your behalf?
- What thanksgiving can you give to the Lord even during difficulties?
- Who can you pray on behalf of today that is experiencing difficulties?
Being grateful during difficulties takes practice.
We must all remember that when faced with a difficulty that we have a choice.
Either we can choose to be anxious about the difficulty, or we can turn to the Lord in prayer and ask others to pray for our situation too.
May you choose to pray so that the following will occur for you and your situation too:
ESV Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- When have you had a similar experience as I have today?
- How did it turn out?
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn