Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Mallory has had ACL surgery on both legs. It was successful but she still limps from time to time. During those times, we try to keep her from ascending and descending stairs. She goes out the front door instead of the back door. Gates and roadblocks are placed in front of stairways inside the home. Mallory just moves the roadblocks and leaps over the gates thus causing more stress on her legs. It is hard to not worry about Mallory as she is the love of our lives.
Yesterday, I listened to two women speak about their own knee surgeries. Both were successful but neither has prevented arthritis from setting in and more surgeries scheduled in the future. All the advances of medical science cannot remove our physical limitations, worries and anxieties.
Philippians 4:6 gives us the prescription to treat worry. Paul tells us to not be anxious about anything. In all of life’s situations, we are to pray and request God’s intervention. We are instructed to present our petitions to our heavenly father with a thankful heart. Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” When we approach the throne of grace to turn all our cares over to the Lord, we do so with a confidence that he hears us. I Peter 5:7 instructs us to, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Knowing Jesus knows and understands our every need and frustration, gives us a thankful heart and peace of mind.
We can unburden our hearts and minds by sharing our worries and concerns with the Lord. He will take our heartbreaks and loneliness. Isaiah 26:3 states, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Trust Jesus. Acts 17:28 tells us, “For in him we live and move and have our being.” He is our all in all. Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” He will take care of you. He will never leave you alone.
Are you concerned about your children? Physical limitations are causing you pain and discouragement? Financial burdens weighing heavy on your mind. All three plus a lot more got you down? Thank God today that he is in control and knows your every care. Give him your list of worries and be at peace. We are a child of the King. Our God reigns. You are not alone.
Just Another Dog Devotion 