Right it down!

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

It's hard to believe but this time last week, the hubby and I were at the beach.  The weather was in the mid 70s range and our minds for the most part were relaxed and strife free as we enjoyed the beauty of our surroundings and the company of one another.

Wanting to leave our mark on the shore, Steve began to write down these words "For God so loved."  First he ended with his name so that he wouldn't have to erase so much when he next wrote mine.

Fast forward to Friday.  I had a doctor's appointment in Morganton and on the way--because I intentionally timed it to be so--I got to listen to Chip Ingram's "Living on the Edge" broadcast.  Can you believe God had him speak right to me?  Chip was preaching on the above verse about peace and long story short, parts of his message spoke to me so loudly that I later had Steve listen to it with me to see if it affected him as well.  (FYI:  you can listen too at http://livingontheedge.org/broadcasts/listen-online

WEEKDAY RADIO: DECEMBER 4, 2015  WHEN YOU'RE OVERWHELMED WITH ANXIETY, PART 2  FROM THE SERIES INNER PEACE).

One of the key points to me was how if things stay trapped inside of your mind, they will grow.  And you know those things, don't you friends?  Worry, questions, fears, trepidations about the future?  Chip spoke of the times during the night he was unable to sleep and suggested that--as he does--one keep a journal (also helpful for those daytime doubts and queries) and write them down--even if they don't make a lot of sense and then to place a check mark box beside of them for when God takes care of them.

Okay, I'm not going to repeat his sermon but I do encourage you to listen to it.  What I want to share with you is that journaling has been a tremendous relief and outlet for me.  When I put my thoughts in black and white (or sometimes purple when I use my pretty pen), they take shape.  They make a form.  They allow me to make sense of them and to clarify what I think versus what is actually true.  They help to make what was wrong right, thus the first picture which is not a misspelling but a play on words.  They are there to lead me to scriptures that show me the pathway to trod to handle them via the guidance of God.  Plus, if you want to, you can make it an acronym:  "right it down" becomes RID.  How wonderful the opportunity to rid ourselves of the lies the devil speaks to us!  We all have tiny little brains and to try to store up all that goes on in our lives and add to it the fluff of the slewed foot one is often just too much.

In conclusion, there is much to be gleaned from this verse, from this message of Chip's, and from your own selves.  I encourage you today to take a few moments to write it down and then?  Right it down.  Get rid of the falsehoods.  Place them at the feet of Jesus and let Him take care of them.  After all, He is the One Who created all of those grains of sand and all of those drops of water that fill the oceans.  Don't you think He can right all of your elements as well?

Let's pray!

Oh Lord!  I am still learning so much about Your character and the way You love.  Thank You for the lessons that come when I seem to falter and need guidance on which way to go.  

As I gaze at these pictures and reflect on the miracles You have performed, how can I not do anything but stand amazed that Your power is limitless?  You indeed are the awesome God and I just love You so very much!  Thank You for loving me--for taking time for me--when there is such a large world out there.

Lastly Lord, I pray for all of us.  Our need for You is as vast as the ocean waters.  Our dreams, wants, hopes, and so on are as numerous as the grains of sand.  May we seek You in deciphering the knowledge placed before us and may we RID ourselves of the lies of the devil that detract and distract from the wonder of You is my prayer today, asked in the precious name of Jesus Christ.  Amen!