Living Peacefully Less Stressed

I have been feeling a general sense of anxiety lately. I have had alot going on, many responsibilities, many commitments and many things to focus on. That anxiety has crept into the priorities in my life reflecting on my home, the discipline of my children, our homeschooling and even my friendships.

I am feeling determined this morning to do a true open heart inventory of it - the source, and also get recommitted to those areas where I need to be doing better.

I am realizing the importance of evaluation. Of stopping, looking, studying and determining where the sources of our frustrations, anxiety and worry really are born.

Its not that anything bad is going on, or that I have anything to complain about. Its just a build up of that every day stress that piles on top of each other and then weighs on my heart, heavily.

I am reminded that God reminds us often throughout scripture to "..cast your cares on the Lord, he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall." Psalms 55:22

And, "...Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

I am reminded, also, of what a powerful tool that Satan uses in the hearts of our Creator's more gentle sex. He uses it expertly, even when things are going well, blessed and worthy of nothing but praise.  As I am reminded by a friend and blogger this morning, anxiety places us in a direct conflict with where God wants us to be. To allow myself to stay in this weighty place, I would be being less than what God desires of me.

So, I go to my old standby (as I friend says, I own this verse!) ..."do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding with guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6

I am going to go to my prayer blog and share all these things with him, now. I am going to share where I feel weak, failing, challenged, convicted and regretful.  I know that he will bless that offering, as he always does.

I pray for you today that you are able to evaluate the sources of your anxiety, be able to give it to him, and be willing to allow his peace to overwhelm you this day.