“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25. This has long been one of my favorite Bible verses. I picture in my mind, a woman with a glow about her and pure joy just flowing from her. She has the ability to drop to her knees to cry out to God and get up, even stronger than she was before. I love reading this verse, yet, do I live this verse? Do I believe it about myself? Can I be that woman?
I have lived my life letting myself be paralyzed with anxiety. Ever since I was young, I have allowed myself to worry about anything and everything. I have allowed myself to let my mind jump to the “worst case scenario” for every situation. I have allowed myself to believe that I didn’t have control over the fears or that I couldn’t call upon someone much stronger than I for help.
I, at 35 years old, have finally come to the realization that I need to let myself “laugh at the days to come.” How wonderful does that sound? Instead of stressing or fearing the “what if’s” of life, I could just breathe. I could just rest. I could be more present with my children and give them an example of what joy really looks like. Instead of fearing the future, I would have hope for the future. The Bible tells us, “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31.
If my fear and anxiety paralyzes me and keeps me on the couch, checking my blood pressure for 2 hours, how can I do anything to change or improve the areas that worry me? How can I possibly be a strong, functioning member of my family that encourages my children to “have no fear of the future?” How can I be ready and willing to say, “I am here, God. Choose me.” Why am I reading this verse from the Bible and not applying it? The Bible wasn’t given to us to just “like” the advice or to think the principals were only for the people during Biblical times. It was given to us to apply to our lives every, single day.
Like many, I struggle with making my quiet time with God a priority. I do good for periods of time and then I slack. I was also finding it difficult to keep my prayers on track. You know that whole thing…”Dear Lord, thank you for this day….oooo…squirrel!” I would have such a hard time concentrating on praying in my head or out loud, that it was becoming a negative activity for me. God doesn’t want us to feel negativity toward talking with Him!
He wants us to LOVE speaking to Him and bringing our worries and joys to Him. Our prayer life and relationship with God is the MOST important part of our life and I have to remind myself to remember that when everything else seems to get put before it. Still working on it. I have recently begun prayer journaling. I find that speaking with God through my writing allows me to keep on track with what I am praying about. If one of my children interrupts me, I don’t have to try to search back through the jumbled thoughts in my mind to continue. Where I left off is right there on the crisp paper in front of me.
I have often let my mind be flooded with bad thoughts. Thoughts of situations that haven’t happened, but it puts the fear in me that it could. Fear is a persistent and clever little demon that can make you believe in the worst. Yet, the truth is we have a God so enormously larger than fear and He gives us the weapons and fights along side of us to defeat it.
If I catch myself getting “stuck,” I stop and say, “Lord, forgive me for that thought, I am giving it to you. I don’t want to have those thoughts and I want to trust you.” The Bible tells us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Philippians 4:8. Our minds weren’t made for half of the things that we allow into them. Our minds were made to learn and understand God’s truth and promises.
I heard a teaching at my church that I like to remember. Prayers don’t have to be a huge, long, elaborate speech. Prayers can be single sentences when you really don’t know what else to say. “God, I am worried about my mother’s health.” Also, after expressing the worry, thank God. “Thank you, Lord for the wonderful person my mother is. Thank you for the medical care that she is receiving.” Sometimes it is difficult for us to really put so many words out there when the weight of worry is heavy upon our hearts. God knows, and it is better to express what you can, than nothing at all.
“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22. God is with us, God fights for us and God loves us. I am committed to reach toward that Proverbs 31 woman. A woman who knows and believes that her Father in Heaven is fighting along side of her, who can express pure joy, more often than excruciating fear. A woman, who is able to mother her children in the way that they should go, and laugh all the while doing it, because she trusts that what God has in store is best. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
Free Printable
Our Goal in 2018 is too offer our readers some free goodies! This week we want yall to enjoy this free bible journaling printable! Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Enjoy!
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