anXiety, Day 3

anXiety, Day 3

Hakuna Matata!

Okay, so we know it is not good to worry, be full of anxiety. What do we do when life is packed full of opportunity to be anxious? Not only have we been asked not to do it in scripture, just the toll on our health should be a warning sign. Our pulse quickens, we breathe less and it can immobilize you so that you focus on one single thing and that focus takes over your life. Wouldn't that also then be putting that thing above God? Do we sometimes make a situation or circumstance an idol? Anxiety begins to encroach on our freedom and causes physical (hello comfort food bingers, I am one of them) and psychological damage.

Is all anxiety bad for us? No. Anxiety has a purpose, no doubt. It raises our awareness of something that is not right, it prepares you for pain (death, separation etc.), it creates concern for others that they may not be aware of.
Even in our own Christian faith, there are times we may experience anxiety. The Disciples undoubtedly had a few worries about giving up their livelihood, trading security for unknown futures, they exchanged comforts of home for travel to uncertain destinations. They even doubted at times who he was. Jesus knows our worries, just as he did the disciples. Jesus even addressed the issue with the disciples telling them God will take care of them because he takes care of the birds.

A few steps to reducing your anxiety:
Realize that there are things you have no power to change and the things that you need to let God take control of.
Prioritize your life so that you don't have as many responsibilities and expectations vying for your attention.
Ask someone you know you can trust to help you. A trusted friend will tell you which worries are warranted and which ones are hampering your ability to perform. Seek the advice and listen to it.

I have a little card that sits on my desk it says
"Anxiety"
"If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate."
"this means to think of something over and over again."
"Meditation on God's Word is the way to find deliverance from anxiety" Joyce Meyer

I would like to add to that. If you spent the amount of time on your knees that you do worrying over things, do you think maybe you would lift the burden and see more results from the God who knows everything, including the solution?

And let peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds...] Colossians 3:15

Just last week, God put something so strong on my heart that I felt I needed to go straight to the person it pertained to. First, I decided I needed to pray through the revelation. I asked God to take care of each detail that was on my heart regarding this situation. The next day I got a phone call from this person and each detail I had prayed about was a detail that this person told me had been revealed to them/taken care of. This person decided to tell me about this because I was on their heart heavily. Go figure.......

Here is a song from the Lion King, a Disney movie. I love it because sometimes all we need to do is live, breathe, give it to God and think Hakuna Matata!!!!

Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
Hakuna Matata?
Yeah. It's our motto!
What's a motto?
Nothing. What's a-motto with you?
Those two words will solve all your problems...
...Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna matata!
Hakuna Matata! Hakuna--
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
(Repeats)
I say "Hakuna"
I say "Matata"


Dear Lord, continue to watch over all of those who are part of this devotional. Will you comfort them and help them to be able to find more Hakuna Matata in their lives. I praise you for working in details when we are obedient enough to truly hand them over to you. I know that a lot of the suggestions I have made today are also ones that I need to follow, and that I don't always put you first when problems arise, I am sorry for that. Thank you for loving us.

Please pray for Janet J. this week.

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7