The writers of Encouraging.com are celebrating their fifteen year landmark by making their 365 daily devotional book, God Moments, available as a free digital download! A total of thirty-six GABC writers have faithfully captured “moments of God’s presence” in their lives to encourage your own spiritual journey. You can find God Moments on amazon.com, iTunes, and BarnesandNoble.com.


NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



The Rocking Chair

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7


I sank into the overstuffed rocker and massaged my throbbing forehead.

For the past few days I’d been obsessing over a difficult situation. Not only did I think about it all day long, I woke up during the night to think about it some more. I kept chewing on the situation like a dog gnawing on a bone.

As a result I was fighting a tension headache. I leaned back in the chair and began to rock. I need to relax and stop worrying about this, I thought.

To distract myself, I rocked faster. However, I soon noticed no matter how fast or how long I rocked, I wasn’t going anywhere. Unlike riding a bike, I stayed in the same place.

Whoa, I thought, worrying is a lot like this rocking. It gives me something to do, but it isn’t getting me anywhere. No matter how much effort I put into it, nothing changes.

I knew the Bible suggests an alternative to worry. 1 Peter 5:7 advises, Cast all your anxiety on him. Instead of being anxious, I could give the problem to God and trust Him for the outcome.

I was tired of fretting. I decided to try 1 Peter 5:7. Bowing my head I prayed, Lord, You know all about the situation that’s bothering me. I’m not going to worry about it. I’m giving it to You.

As I prayed, I even pictured myself handing the problem to God. When I opened my eyes, I must admit, I felt good, free of the burden.

However, as you know, old habits are hard to break.

I still sometimes catch myself starting to worry.

When I do, I repeat the process; I pray and hand it over to God.

Father, may we trust You in every situation.

Carol

No comments: