Do you find yourself constantly thinking, “What if” this happens or “what if” that happens?
Daily I coach people, including myself, on: how to stop worrying. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. 9 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. Philippians 4:6-9(NIV) We get caught up in our circumstances and before we know it, the “what If’s” have taken over the “what is.” Scripture says, “In every situation, don’t be anxious” and then Paul directs us on how to do that. Lets break down the Word: STEP 1-Present your requests to God. · Ask in prayer · WITH thanksgiving (Thanksgiving is a key because in redirects our heart and aligns it with God’s heart and allows the Holy Spirit to move in the situation.) After asking with thanksgiving, THEN, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. Next, move on to step 2, so that your mind will not race with the fear of “what if’s” and obsess on the negative. STEP 2-Think about whatever is: True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, Excellent & Praiseworthy God’s Word is true. It’s imperative that we focus on His Word instead of our circumstances. This scripture teaches us to: Bring our circumstances to Him – Then focus on Who He is. What we focus on expands. If the circumstance is not good and we rehearse that over and over in our minds, it expands. So focus on a promise in His Word for that particular situation; to counter-act the “what if’s” from bad to the “what if’s of God.” For example, If I am worrying about not having health insurance in two months and I start thinking, Oh my goodness what if I lose my insurance? What if I get sick? What if I lose my car and then my job? It sounds crazy, but ask yourself : Where in my life am I doing this same thing? Then turn it around to “What if God” shows up and makes a way? What if He does more than I can ask or imagine? What if God gives me peace and takes care of this for me. “What if” God’s Word is true? Change your thinking and focus on the “What if’s” of God. Prayer: Father, I bring this (situation) to you with a thankful heart. I thank you for your help. Your Word promises that you will give me peace. I thank you that you are with me and will make a way. I trust and rest in you. Help me to think about things that are true, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy. Amen.
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