Yesterday, I was tired physically and a bit anxious emotionally. I “heard” loud and clear that instead of spending my energy working on losing weight while being concerned about finding a job, I was to draw near and be nourished by God’s Word in both prayer and meditating on His Word.

I didn’t even know what to pray for in that moment, as it wasn’t fully clear to me what was making me anxious–it could have been from several sources or all of them. But instead of turning on the TV to distract me, I turned to the Lord’s Word and called upon Him. I lifted up my cares saying I didn’t even know what was getting to me, so I leaned upon His promise. “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom 8:26-27)

I stopped and was still before the Lord, and poured out my anxieties as they came to mind and claimed His promise. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil 4:6-8)

As we discussed yesterday, we have the Holy Spirit within us to empower us to develop into a spiritually mature Christian. As we mature, we learn to trust more in God’s promises, depend less on our feelings, which allows us to rise above our circumstances. As I chose to think about what God has already done for me (to dwell upon the Lord who is true, honorable, pure, lovely, excellent and worthy of praise), I was able to claim in both my heart and mind His peace because He said if I seek Him, He will provide for my needs. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt 6:33)

It was during this time that the Holy Spirit reminded me of a childhood memory. When I was a young child, I remember being so excited when my dad came home from work. I couldn’t wait to spend time with him. That memory was to remind me that is how I am to be with our Lord. I heard in a podcast Tony Evans say, “Prayer is the heart of a child interacting with the heart of a dad”. I humbled myself before the the Lord admitting I could do nothing without Him (1 Pet 5:6), and called out asking for Him to make my steps clear. “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)

As I stood in these promises, His peace literally and figuratively enveloped me. I don’t know what my future holds, but thankfully I know WHO holds my future. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:11-13)