Praying When It Hurts!

Have you ever gone through a trial or crisis where you have felt completely out of control and powerless regarding the outcome? If so, you probably are no stranger to that scary nervous feeling in the pit of your gut. Isn't it so easy to worry and think the worst during those times? 

We start rehearsing in our minds all the things that could go wrong. Satan comes in like a whirlwind to sow seeds of doubt and fear. We tend to doubt Father's goodness; we doubt that we'll ever see light at the end of the tunnel. 

From these times we learn and relearn that life is bigger than we are and is not always fair, but God is always good. Father has given us His wisdom to know His heart during these scary times. He has spoken these words of comfort over and over again. "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 

In this passage, Paul reminds us not to worry about anything. The word worry or anxious in the Greek, means, to be pulled in different directions. The Old English root from which we get our word "worry" means to strangle. Paul knew that the enemy would use worry to pull our minds and hearts in different directions while strangling the life out of us. Paul encourages us instead to pray to Father. 

Talking to Father will allow us to experience intimacy with Him. Soon we will find ourselves thanking Him for who He is, and all that He has done. Talking to Father turns our focus from our problem to our awesome God and Father. It's in talking with Father that we are reminded how much He loves and cares for us. Soon we find that resting while trusting in Him is better than knowing the outcome or the answer to our problem. 

In this passage Father promises His presence which brings a peace that satisfies us in ways that we cannot began to understand. His peace will actually guard, protect and empower our hearts and our minds, in Christ Jesus. Our peace is In Christ, our hope is In Christ, our joy is In Christ, our power is In Christ, and our battles are won In Christ. 

Jesus brings perfect peace in the midst of persecution, difficulty, trials or troubles. How? Because the peace He gives us is Himself! Jesus offers us Himself in exchange for our uncertain future caused by unwanted and uninvited trials and troubles. What a beautiful Friend and Savior we have in Jesus. 

Are you facing a crisis or a problem that threatens your hope, your joy, your future or maybe your very life? Paul would remind you that Jesus offers you Himself in exchange for those awful feelings of being strangled and pulled in different directions. Father's promise to you is that He, Himself, will guard your heart and your mind as you rest and trust in Christ Jesus. 

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