Unload, unwind, chill out, God-style.

“Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Life is a battle. We know what we should do, but so often we end up dragging around with us a garbage bag full of fears, anxieties, and hurts, seeking to distract ourselves from the load and smile and pretend everything is okay. Then we frown in confusion, where is the joy of the Lord? Where is the peace of God? Where is the victory? We feel guilty for not praying more. We feel guilty for not reading the bible more.

And you know what most of us do? We chuck all that guilt in the garbage bag and make it all that much more of a drag. Step one–humbly confess our weaknesses and failings to God and ask him for help with them. Step two–trustingly brace yourself for impact. God’s move can sometimes feel like an earthquake, but he knows what we can bear and knows what is best for us.

Lord, many of us have not been consistent in prayer and bible study. Many of us have not been consistent in you. Change our priorities today. Remind us to seek first the kingdom and all these things will be added unto us. Encourage our hearts gently to keep an open door and open ear to you as we go about our days. Remind us, whenever the enemy hands us garbage, to immediately hand it over to you rather than bagging it and carrying it around with us. Grant us the peace, Lord, that will guard our hearts and our minds. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.