Don't Worry...Pray
Although it is technically still summer for a couple more weeks, fall is officially right around the corner. Can you smell the donuts and taste the apple cider?
There is busyness in the air as many families settle into new routines and school schedules. There is a newness associated with this changing of the seasons. Anytime we experience a change, whether it is in seasons or schools, circumstances or situations, ages and stages, it can be easy to be swept up in feelings of uncertainty. It can take some time to settle into new routines and establish new habits. This week we are going to spend some time focusing on just that — settling in and setting our minds on the Lord.
Maybe you have started preschool and being away from home is so hard. Maybe you have entered kindergarten or moved up a grade. You are still learning about your school and getting to know your teachers and classmates. Maybe you are at the same school, but it is a different year and things aren’t quite the same. People you haven’t seen in a while aren’t the same and you are struggling to feel settled and find your place. Perhaps you are in a season of change that isn’t school-related, but feelings of uncertainty have overtaken your heart and your mind.
Let’s take this week and set our minds on Jesus who can give us peace in the middle of any transition no matter the changes we are experiencing. To begin, we look at a passage from Philippians that gives us directions to follow if our mind is a storm of worry, frustration, or confusion. Jesus can speak to that storm and bring peace.
Philippians 4:6-8 | Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Over the next six days, we will look at prayer, thanksgiving, and intentionally fixing our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Many of our worries, fears, frustrations, doubts, and confusion can be remedied when we take our thoughts captive and submit them to Christ. Let’s practice that together this week and experience the peace of Jesus guarding our hearts and minds, preparing us to successfully walk through this new season.
Are you experiencing any recent changes? What is new in your life?
What does it mean to worry?
What are you worried about? If you aren’t currently worried, what things do you normally worry about?
What are you needing? Pray and tell God what you need!
What are you thankful for? Pray and thank God for all He has done!