Choosing lovely thoughts over anxiety

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Lord, help me to rejoice in you – fill me to overflowing with joy that can come only from you. Help me to be joyful and celebrate you every day, no matter if I’m suffering or having the greatest day ever.

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

Lord, I’m good at being gentle with folks I like. Help me to have a gentle spirit on those bad days, around difficult people, when I let my guard down. Help my speech to reflect your gentle nature.

The Lord is near.

Thank you, Lord, for always being near. Even when it feels like I’m alone. Help me to cling to that truth – you ARE near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.

Lord, this goes against my very nature. Sometimes I drown in anxiety and worry over very big things… and very small things. Help me to take captive every thought and filter it through the promises you’ve given me in scripture. That you are near… that you will never leave me nor forsake me. That you are in control. Please quiet my anxieties and insecurities and replace them with a thankful heart. Help me to remember to pray as soon as I get anxious. And help me to remember to choose joy.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Lord, thank you for promising to replace my anxieties with your peace. The kind of peace that goes beyond my own understanding. Please guard my heart and my mind. Please reign down peace on me and my family.

Finally, (Bethe), 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.

Lord – when I’m feeling anxious, please help me to replace those fears with thoughts of true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things. Thinking on lovely, true things… what a productive way to occupy my mind, which never seems to slow down. Help me to be disciplined in this.

Whatever 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.

What a wonderful promise! Lord – I want your peace. I have tasted it, and I want it every day. What a lovely way to live.


(These are the verses I’ve been meditating on – Philippians 4:4-9, NIV)

3 Comments

  1. Thank you, Bethe. I especially needed to be reminded of this today–and you say it so beautifully.Blessings,Joyce Cook

    Reply

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