Christ in the Clouds: 11/20/12

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Worry Never Makes Things Better

It's the wee hours of early morning and I'm tired, but can't fall asleep. I feel the ache of my body, that begs for rest.

Once again, I find myself worrying about where he is and what he is doing. I ruminate the worst scenario. Why do I torture and punish myself this way?

I pray, "Lord, be with him. Give him wisdom, the desire and strength to make and carry out wise decisions." I know that God hears my pleas, but my faith is weak. I struggle with trusting my son in the Father's hands.

I know the Lord is watching over all His children. So why do I worry and fret? I know, it's said that moms worry about their children, no matter how old they get. Why is that?

I think most moms struggle with worry for their children. It's our natural instinct. But is it really biblical to worry as a mom?

I constantly have to read and re-apply the following verses to my life, when worry starts to rear it's ugly head in my head...

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
and
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)

I pray for a faith in God's mighty hand over my son, for peace of mind that only God can give, and rest for my mind and body. Some days, I find instant relief, but tonight it's a struggle, a battle that I know all too well Satan would love to win.

I claim other verses that help give me relief that my son will make godly choices and that God has him in His mighty plan!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

“For I know the plans I have for you,”says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find Me when you seek Me, if you look for Me in earnest” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

My prayers and petitions for my son:

That he would be “taught of the Lord” and great will be his peace (Isaiah 54:13)
That he would hide His Word in his heart (Psalm 119:11)
That God would fill him with the knowledge of His will so he can walk in a way that’s pleasing to Him and his life will bear fruit (Col. 1:9)
That his heart would be flooded with light so he could understand the wonderful future God has promised to those He called (Ephesians 1:17-19)
That he would trust in the Lord with all his heart and not lean on is own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6)
That God’s favor would surround him like a shield wherever he goes (Psalm 5:12)

source

Lord, I put my faith in You alone! Take my worry and anxieties and give me peace. Also, supply wisdom for me and my husband to know what You desire for us, as parents of a young adult son, to do to encourage him in his walk with You. Amen.

Sharing the gifts that the Lord has provided: November Joy Dare
3 Gifts Behind a Door:

1,097 - An owl hanging, reminding me always...

1,098 - A pantry full of food for Thanksgiving weekend!
1,099 - My son, when he walks through the door, after coming home from a late evening out.

3 Gifts Silent:
1,100 - A quiet house in the morning, after all others have gone to work.
1,101 - My prayers in the early hours of the morning, when my worries keep me awake.
1,102 - Sometimes the silence of immediate unanswered prayer - as I am waiting for the Lord to work in me and/or others in my life.

3 Gifts Hard Eucharisteo:
1,103 - Striving to entrust to God, over and over again, those dear to my heart, especially my son.
1,104 - Mornings, when dirty dishes need washed and clothes need folded and hung on hangers, but I'm struggling to get going.(Very seldom do I share photos when my house is dirty, but today this is honestly a hard Eucharisteo!)

1,105 -Knowing what to do to help encourage my brother, who has had chronic health problems and is currently sick in the hospital. (So often I feel helpless and all I can do is pray).

3 Gifts of Laughter

1,106 - Watching the antics of a squirrel in our yard, trying to find food.(And my dogs going crazy, watching him out the window)

1,107 - Playing with my dogs! (What they wouldn't do for a treat!)

1,108 - A funny skit in the church service on Sunday! Love that we can laugh even in church!

3 Gifts Made, Shared, Passed On:
1,109 - Made: A Thanksgiving Banner

1,110 - Shared: Time with lots of sisters in Christ at our annual church Ladies Tea.
1,111 - Passed on: The love of Christ to others...we need to always be ready to share such an amazing love!!!

⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. John (4:9-11)

3 Gifts Autumn:
1,112 - Colorful morning skies on the lake.