We should begin this new year with gratitude. We should be grateful that God has allowed us to live and come into a new year. We should also be grateful that God has given us an opportunity to live a life filled with peace, love, joy, restoration and healing. The last couple of years have been filled with pain, grief and loss for so many people. Mental health has also been an issue for so many people at this time. People are experiencing anxiety, mental breakdowns and outbursts, problems with concentration and other mental health related issues. Alot of people feel lonely because they are isolated due to the pandemic. I want to encourage you and everyone reading this, to hold on and trust God. I know that it is easier said than done but trusting God in the midst of chaos is our key to peace. I have had issues with anxiety, and I realize, the only way to be at peace, is to handle the things that God has given me authority to handle in my life and the things I can't control, let them go and let God handle them. I mean really let them go. There have been times in my life where I have given things to God to handle, and I turn right around and take those same things back from God and try to handle them myself. Well, that did not go well because it increased the anxiety that I was experiencing, which resulted in no peace, and it showed lack of faith in God. There is no comparison when it comes to our will versus God's will for our life. When we put limitations on God, we put limitations on the blessings and abundance that God wants us to have. We can't bless our own lives the way that God can. God wants us to trust Him and to go to Him with our cares and worries.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. - 1 Peter 5:7 (New Living Translation)
Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us - Ephesians 3:20 (New King James Version)
No matter what is going on in the world and around us, God knows about it, and He is in control.
God allows things to happen for a reason. There are times when you may think to yourself, if God loves me, why would he allow bad things to happen to me. There are things that God allows to happen to us to teach us, so that we can teach, help or inspire someone else. God also allows bad things to happen to strengthen us. No matter what God allows to happen to us, God has a purpose for it. Pray and ask God to make it clear to you why something has happened to you and ask God what His purpose is for it happening.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28 (King James Version)
For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11 (New international Version)
When we stay connected to God through prayer and reading his word, God will give us peace. God gives us peace that people and worldly things can't give us. God can give us the type of peace that allows us to be calm and not lose our minds in the midst of a storm. To indulge and enjoy in the peace of God, we have to be willing to acknowledge God daily and take all our concerns to God and leave them with God. We are human, so it is normal to be concerned and worry about things, but you have a heavenly father who wants to help you and guide you if you allow Him to. Can you imagine how much sleep you can get if you allow God to handle the things you can't control? Millions of people suffer from anxiety, headaches, heart attacks, strokes, insomnia and so many other health issues because they are carrying loads and burdens, they don't need to carry. People are trying to control people and things that they can't control. When you start to empty out the bags that you are carrying, one by one and your loads become lighter, you will find yourself becoming lighter, your mind and your heart will be lighter. When you are lighter, you are more peaceful and when you are more peaceful, God's voice and will for you, will be clearer in your spirit.
God speaks of everything that is happening in the world now, in the bible. There is nothing new under the sun, the same things that are taking place now, has happened before here on earth. The good thing is, despite everything that concerns us, God is still in control, and he is always with us. Lighten your load by allowing God to be God in your life and carry some or all of your load for you and enjoy the peace of God.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10
Comments