The Anxious Mind

I was so tired last night that when I tucked my daughter in to bed, I told her I would lay down with her a minute...close my eyes....just for a second....well, I crashed for about an hour. Then I had to get up and finish all of the things I was trying to finish before I tucked her into bed.

As I finally crawled into my own bed...I was thinking...."Wow...being the somewhat spontaneous and last minute girl that I am....I'm pretty close to having all my things prepared for Christmas..." That feeling of momentary satisfaction lasted only for a second, for a second later, I was frantically going over the list of things in my head that were only half done. After that, my mind took off from there and...I was wide awake, laying there worrying and planning and hoping that I could get all those half things done by my "personal deadline" so that then I could relax and enjoy our family celebrations with joy and not exhaustion. Then...I started thinking of all the things I wanted to do for people but couldn't....(because I'm partly crazy...spontaneous...and I love Christmas)...you know things like...bake cookies for the whole neighborhood instead of just my neighbors....make a billion homemade gifts and just give them away to everybody I see...like waitresses I don't even know and stuff like that....and then my mind starts trying to figure out how I might be able to fit one more little project in.....and then I start remembering again all of the half finished projects I have on the go....thank goodness I didn't actually get to the economy and finances...and who only knows what else....we can worry about everything.

God has given us His words to fight the anxious thoughts and worries that seem to overtake our minds. As I lay there in the dark....tired but awake...storming through all of the things I needed to take care of...

The Lord began to remind me of His Peace...

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." NIV

Isaiah 26:3-4
You keep her in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because she trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. ESV

Matthew 6:31-35
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you." ESV

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ESV

It wouldn't be bragging to tell you that I know these verses all too well...and that I keep going back to them.

When you find yourself unable to focus or sleep because of your anxious thoughts....go to the Truth....don't let the evil one wear you out or distract you with all of your worries....

Write out God's words about the anxious mind....Put them up all over your house...Read them aloud....Cling to them...Pray them...and hold them close to your heart....

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.

Blessings of Peace and Rest to you, my sisters....