​Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.   Philippians 4:6
 
Hello Friend,
            Are you anxious this morning?  I understand that feeling, in fact, I have spent more time than I wish to acknowledge being filled with anxiety. I’ve spent many sleepless nights fussing and fuming.  And all that nervous fussing never changed my circumstances.  And it robbed me of blessed moments, time I can never recapture.  Psalm 37 is one of my favorite scriptures.  And it begins in verse one, “Fret not yourselves.”  Read that line again.  “Fret not yourselves.”  That anxiety you are feeling is not of God.  We do it to ourselves.  We allow fears and worries to dominate our minds and rob us of peace.  Don’t you desire to walk in calmness each day?  Let me tell you one of my secrets.  We need to trust God in all times.
            We need to trust God when it is raining, before the sun comes out.  We need to trust that God is working in our marriage, even when it seems on the brink of separation.  We need to trust God with our finances, even when our bank balance says $.05.  I have a friend who is a victim of a scammer to the tune of $2,500.  And she worries and frets repeating over and over, “What am I going to do?  What am I going to do?”  Well friend, when you don’t know what to do, trust God.  Here’s my little mantra I repeat to myself, “Shush, God is at work.”  I tell my mind to shush.  Be quiet.  Wait upon the Lord.  Psalm 37:7 tells us to, “Be still and rest in the Lord, wait for him and patiently lean upon Him.”   I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, not even in the few moments, but I know God loves me and is at work for good in my life.
Friend, if you woke feeling anxious this morning, won’t you quiet your mind with my little affirmation, “Shush, God is at work” and determine to trust God in all things and relax and enjoy this day.                          Linda

Joy in the Morning
Be satisfied with your present circumstances and with what you have. Hebrews 13:5
 
Hello Friend,
            It’s Monday, the beginning of a brand new, wonderful week.  How many of you woke this morning with a smile on your face?  Or did you crawl out of bed with the grumpies?  Those “I hate my life feelings.”  I hate going to work.  I don’t feel like doing the laundry.  I wish these kids were grown and out of the house.  My spouse is driving me crazy and it will only take a short putt to put me over the edge.  Those grumpies determine not only the course of your morning, but also of your day, even your week.  What is a person to do? 
            First of all, you get to decide!  Paul says in Philippians 4, “I have learned how to be content regardless of my circumstances.”  And what did Paul learn? He said we are to “fix our minds” on the whatever is just, pure, lovely, anything worthy of praise, etc.  In other words, change your focus.  Think on what is right with your life.  You might not like your job, but at least you have one.  Be content there until you have learned whatever lessons God wants you to learn, and He will promote you.  He will change your circumstances. Your kids might be driving you nuts, but they are healthy and rambunctious, praise God.  There are many couples who are praying intently for the blessings you are currently cursing. Your husband may not be perfect, doesn’t look like a GQ model, or leaves his socks on the bathroom floor, but he is a hard worker and trying his best.  Encourage him to rise higher.  Don’t damage his efforts with constant criticism.  Lift him up. Praise his efforts. 
            Friends, if you woke with the grumpies, tell them to take a hike.  Life may not be perfect, but tell yourself, “I am satisfied, even blessed with this new day, and I will be happy.”  Don’t allow fickle feeling to rule. Make a decision to be happy.                                                                                                                                  Live with joy, passion, & enthusiasm,
                                                                                     Linda
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