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What does it mean to abide in God part two

Ok, so I'm not going to waste your time re-capping what part one of abiding in God was.  We are going to dig right into the next part.  Please go read the first blog post here to see what my thoughts on that were :)

Abiding in God helps me when I'm worrying.  In the Bible, Matthew 6:27, says " Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?"  I like how Jesus just says it like it is in this verse.  I am not going to add an hour, or anything good, to my life by worrying.  But I can tell you some negatives it will add...

Worrying, according to an article I read on WebMD,  is an uneasy feeling...or being overly concerned about a situation or problem.  So when I or anyone else worries, our minds and bodies go into overdrive as we constantly focus on "what might happen."

Excessive worriers react quickly and intensely to these stressful situations or triggers.  Even thinking about the situation can cause chronic worriers great distress and disability.  Excessive worry or ongoing fear or anxiety is harmful when it becomes so irrational that you can't focus on reality or think clearly. 

So I do NOT want to be an excessive worrier.  I don't want to even be an occasional worrier.  Worrying makes my stomach hurt.  Sometimes it makes me not even want to get out of bed.  Not good at all.   

Some ways that I personally combat worrying consist of the following:
Exercise
Journaling
Handlettering
Praise Music
Anything Outside
Praying
Reading the Bible

I don't always turn to my Bible or praise music or praying.  I'm not going to give myself a guilt trip either about it (anymore than I already have), because I know God isn't giving me a guilt trip either.  Anyway, I will say that when I do turn to Him (first or eventually) I sure do feel better quicker.  I will also share that I have been professionally diagnosed with Anxiety & OCD, so I'm on a medicine for that.  I have been for quite some time.  At first I felt I wasn't a good enough Christian because I had to take meds or go to counseling.  I got over that though.  I believe God uses us in our fallen bodies and minds, and it's what we do with the imperfections we have that matters.  Do I wallow in the worry, OCD, and anxiety...or do I rise above it and live a life in fullness of Him?  (sometimes I am all about the first part, but my goal is to be the latter).

I'm going to leave you with some great verses about worrying...
Matthew 6:25-27
" Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heaven'y Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Psalm 34:4-5
"I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."

Let's pray...
Father, thank you that we can come to you with all our worries and concerns.  Thank you for loving us and gifting us with your precious Holy Spirit who brings us such great peace and comfort.  May we turn to you quickly so that we can abide instead of worry.  May we hunger for you and your presence.  Thank you also for the doctors and therapists you've gifted with wisdom in how to counsel and medicate when our bodies and minds aren't the perfect vessels we know they will be with you in eternity.  May you be glorified in our lives.  We love and praise you, for you are good.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Thank you for reading.  I hope and pray you will hunger after God with an insatiable appetite.  I love you sweet friends, Scarlett


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