Worry Less, Pray More

 “The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about

anxious anything, but in every situation and

petition, with thanksgiving, present your 

requests to God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“Philippians 4:6-7 essentially means that instead of worrying about anything, you should bring all your concerns to God through prayer, including requests and thanksgiving, and in doing so, you will experience a peace that surpasses understanding, which will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus; it encourages turning anxieties into prayer and trusting in God's ability to provide peace amidst difficult situations.”

Thanksgiving

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.”

1 Chronicles 16:34

“In the Bible, thanksgiving is a way to express gratitude to God for his blessings and faithfulness. It's an attitude that keeps believers connected to God's grace and mercy.”

Discerning God’s Will

 “We continually ask God to fill

you with the knowledge of his will

through all the wisdom and 

understanding that the Spirit gives.”

Colossians 1:9

Discerning God’s will means learning to listen to God’s voice in our hearts and follow what He wants for our lives. Through discernment, we practice being an active and engaged listener, strengthening our relationship with God through prayer and trusting that God would only lead us down a path of happiness and fulfillment.

Discerning God’s Will requires the three Ds: desire, data and, finally, discernment.

• Desire: Emotional awareness. Are you excited or afraid? Learn to be honest with yourself.
• Data: Gather information on what the options are, where they are coming from, and what they would mean for your life.
• Discernment: Choose the option that increases faith, hope and love in your life.

People often look for signs from God outside of themselves as they determine their paths, but everything we need to know is in our hearts. Discerning God’s will involves sifting through your desires and using the data and information you’ve gathered on each choice before making your decision. When you see the option that brings an increase of faith hope and love to your life, you can have faith and trust in your decision, knowing it’s from God.

~ omvusa.org - By Father Shawn

A Cheerful Heart

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”– Proverbs 17:22

“This Proverb aptly portrays the impact of our attitude on our overall well-being. 

Maintaining a cheerful heart can help enrich your soul, while a negative attitude can drain your energy.”

~crossroadcounselor.com

“To be cheerful is to be ready to greet others with welcome, a word of encouragement, an enthusiasm for the task at hand, and a positive outlook on the future.  Such people are as welcome a pain-reliever medicine.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

 

Hope In The Lord

 “But those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.”

Isaiah 40:31

“Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us rise above life’s distractions and difficulties.  Do you believe God loves you and wants the best for you?  Can you relax, confident that His purposes are right?  Are you convinced that he has the power to control all of life as well?  Though your faith may be struggling or weak, accept His provisions and care for you.”

~ Life Application Bible Study

Leave it to God

 

“Cast your cares on the Lord.”

Psalm 55:22

To "leave it to God" means to surrender our worries, concerns, and desires to God's care and guidance. It is an act of trust and faith, acknowledging that God is in control and has a perfect plan for our lives. It means letting go of our own efforts to control or manipulate outcomes, and instead relying on God's wisdom and sovereignty. Leaving it to God does not mean passivity or inaction, but rather an active choice to seek God's will and align our actions with His purposes. It is a recognition that God's ways are higher than our ways, and that His timing and ways of working may be different from what we expect or desire. Ultimately, leaving it to God is an invitation for Him to work in our lives, to bring about His perfect will, and to bring us peace and assurance in every circumstance.

~ webebible.us

Be Confident in the Lord

 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid,”

Hebrews 13:6

God wants us to have confidence in life! Not boastful, arrogant pride but an assured knowledge of who we are in Him! Our self-worth should be seen through the eyes of God, our creator. When you need a boost of self-esteem, there is no better place to turn to than the Bible! Scripture is filled with truths and promises that we can place our confidence in.

Our confidence is in Jesus Christ and the love of God. When you feel not good enough or not strong enough, remember who God says you are! Bible verses about having confidence brings you courage and strength through the love of God.

~ BibleStudyTools.com

Overthinking

 “When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy.”

Psalm 94:19

Mentally, overthinking can lead to anxiety. When individuals continually worry about potential future events or dwell on past mistakes, they can develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD involves persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, and relationships. For instance, someone might overthink an upcoming job presentation, imagining all the ways it could go wrong, which can lead to significant anxiety and avoidance behaviors.

Depression can be linked to overthinking. Ruminating on negative experiences or self-criticism, people can fall into a depressive state. Rumination involves repetitively thinking about the causes, consequences, and symptoms of one’s distress, rather than focusing on solutions. This pattern of thinking can intensify feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, core symptoms of depression. For example, someone who constantly replays a breakup in their mind might begin to feel unworthy of love, leading to deep sadness and withdrawal from social activities.

Psalm 94:19 offers comfort to those who struggle with overthinking and anxiety: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Thankfully, the verse acknowledges the reality of anxiety but also points to the joy and consolation found in God. It reassures believers that they are not alone in their struggles and that God provides solace amidst their worries.

~Bible Tools.com

Nature

 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” - Psalm 96:12

Being out in nature helps me understand the qualities of God in a different way. I see His power, creativity, and the intricacies of the world He created. I slow down and breathe in his glorious creation. I feast my eyes on all the colors in His palette and marvel at His work. I listen to the sounds that surround me: wind, birds, animals, rushing waters, etc. I touch plants, rocks, dirt. It is where I am freely able to marvel at God’s handiwork. By entering nature and taking myself out of my “norm” I can focus my whole being on His creation.

God made the earth for us to enjoy. Nature is a source of beauty, inspiration, rest, and healing. It is a place where we don’t have to look at it from a distance. We can get up close and be a part of it. We can enjoy the diversity of God’s craftsmanship in a powerful way. There is rejuvenating power in God’s playground – the natural world.... time spent in nature is transformative.

- By Susan Little