Good Morning Friends,
Hurricane Helene is heading up the Gulf of Mexico to Florida and will likely make landfall later tomorrow, so I am sending out tomorrow’s devotional today before our power goes out. The Hurricane Center warns that it could become a major Category 4 Hurricane with a storm surge of up to 20 feet. That means that some people will experience very serious and even catastrophic damage to their lives and livelihood. Some people who experienced past hurricanes may be experiencing post-traumatic stress at even the thoughts and images of life-threatening experiences whether or not they are in the path of the worst of the storm. It makes me wonder how much confidence we each have in the midst of a crisis and what scripture might help us. The thing is that when you face life with God’s help you can be more confident. Today’s scripture I think helps because it directs us, in the face of changes in nature and changes in society, and changes in our personal life, to not fear…to not be moved…to not be filled with stress anymore. It instructs us not to hurry, not to scurry, not to worry…We discover that to be confident we must first be still before we act. Here we can learn to be thankful for our life. Here the power of God can be found. So, as many experience crisis and before our power goes out we ask, How Do You Deal With The Problem of Anxiety?
Scripture: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Psalm 46 (NRSV)
Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.
Philippians 4:11 (NRSV)
Message: Yes friends, everyone is familiar with anxiety; it is a problem of epidemic proportions. And yes, it is one of the most counterproductive things we can do. It gets one nowhere. It is characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness caused by real or imagined threats. It typically is characterized by insecurity, helplessness and isolation and the emotions are real even if the threats are not. The best way to deal with the problem is to address the cause, not the symptoms. And that is where trusting God comes into the picture. Friends pause for a moment and let go and let God. There are some problems we cannot solve on our own.In this mixed up and messed up world filled with despair and anxiety and frustration we can learn from Psalm 46. Listen to God whisper in your ear… “Be still and know that I am God.” As you read the Psalm, experience God as always near and available. Realize that every Selah is a pause to reflect upon the text and our emotions. Friends, I write about this not because I am content and without anxiety but because I am all too often discontent and anxious. Still, I have learned that in the tensions of life, we can discover and experience God’s power as greater than anything in the world.
And So, experience God as being ready when you need help. Experience God’s help working for you even when you cannot help yourself. Come to Him in all things, accept His love, receive His forgiveness, become part of His family. Remember victory is ours through Christ even in life’s storms.
Pray we are not anxious. Pray that we realize that the secret of contentment is being satisfied with Christ. Pray we realize that we can do all things through Christ. Pray we realize that a content person is concerned for others. Pray that we realize that contentment comes in our lives when we rely upon Christ for the power to prevail over circumstances.Pray we rejoice in all things. Pray we understand the myth of more. Pray we rely on the Lord. Pray we believe that whatever God appoints is best.Pray for those stressed out.Pray that we make the right decisions. Pray that we trust the Father. Pray that we pursue the right ambition. Pray that we accept God’s rule in Christ… that we learn to live to please God. Pray that we be thankful and turn to worship, not worry. Pray that we would know that God is with us and for us. Pray that in the uncertainty of the future and perhaps because it is uncertain we can show our faith and in that faith be thankful.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 