Philippians 4:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.
Daniel's thoughts prayers:
This verse is such an encouragement and comfort! I want to rejoice in all things, because God is so Good! God please help me to rejoice in the present sufferings, for I know you have planned them to grow me in faith and character. Also I will hope in the promise you have to take our burdens and the final promise to give us eternal life through faith in you!
Daniel's prayer:
God it is so hard to trust in you and not worry,
but it is the most amazing feeling of freedom and peace to offer my life and my burdens up to you!
God please help me to not worry but to Trust in you Lord,
to give up my worries to you by prayer and petition,
and not only that but to do it with thanksgiving!
Let us rejoice!
God thank you so much for your love and your peace in my heart!
Amen
This verse is so comforting to read and hold in my heart! Especially right now as I am in a last minute cram session for a test. I know I am not very well prepared. At the same time though I know that God is in control and he is so much bigger than a test or a class or me. I don't think that means he will make me do well on the test. I own the fact that I did not study and will not do as well because of that. Instead I simply trust that this test is not the end all be all. That God has bigger plans for the world and for me. Even if I don't do well on this test I will rejoice in God. Right now I am thankful to be able to relax a little and just stop cramming and worrying about this test and instead stand in awe of God. God thank you so much for your peace!
ReplyDeleteI have been in a somewhat strange period of doubt, discouragement and worry this semester. This is out of character for me, because I am usually upbeat, smiling and optimistic. Things have not been going the way I have planned. I have wanted to give up at points. I have been overwhelmed with obligations and feeling tired. This is not uncommon because I say yes to often and not no. But the difference is that I have not seen the usual fruit that God has blessed me with this semester. Last year when I was tired excitement for InterVarsity and particularly bible study kept me running and smiling. But this semester I have just kept feeling burnt out. I have been doubting a lot more my future and my purpose. I have tried to spend more time in bible study and in prayer. Nothing has turned around yet. But even in this state I can see God's presence. I don't quite feel it yet and I am not rejoicing as I want to be. But I feel the glimmer of hope. I am starting to see that these times of challenge and hardship are part of God's plan as well. All of this is for God's glory. God does not give us an easy life, in fact he promises us a life of suffering. Yet earlier in Philippians Paul describes sufferings as a gift of God.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is still not quite to rejoicing in the current situations. But I do see hope and I feel God's presence. God will use even this time for my good and his glory. I don't understand yet, but I am trying to trust even though I don't understand.
Philippians 1:29
DeleteNew International Version (NIV)
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him