So I got up with my alarm even though I really didn't want to this morning! It was a long night for me, although it wasn't filled with illness/anxiety/fear, I just couldn't sleep.
I cracked open my current Joyce Meyer read (Change Your Words, Change Your Life) and this is what I read:
"First and foremost, we should pray about everything. When we pray we are not only asking God to help us, but we are asking Him to advise us about any action we should take."
Then she quoted: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Well that is as far as I went in the book. I ended up reading all of Philippians 4 in (NIV) and I wanted to put all the quotes that stood out to me here.
"Rejoice in the Lord Always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all." (4:4-5)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."(4:6)
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (4:7)
"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (4:8-9)
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (4:11-12)
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (4:13)
"To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (4:20)
I stayed with this in my quiet God/coffee time this morning. I hope that it brings peace to someone else this morning. God truly is a great and merciful God. And I am learning, that although there are many hardships of varying degrees in this life, He is always there. There is always good in it, somewhere.
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