https://blog.youversion.com/2022/03/what-is-lent-4-different-ways-to-practice/

Click on the link above to learn more about Lent. God bless. Have a beautiful day.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.5.22-23.KJV

I finished the Anxious For Nothing Bible reading plan from @YouVersion! Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/4AQ

I hope this Bible study will encourage you to draw closer to God in every circumstance you face no matter what it is. He is always right by our side. We are never alone. I have enjoyed sharing this with everyone. I hope it will bless you. If you would like to check out this Bible Study, click on the link above. God bless. Stay safe, and have a wonderful sunny day. ©2022

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.46.10.KJV

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.4.18.KJV

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.27.KJV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2ti.1.7.KJV

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4‭-‬7 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.4-7.KJV

Maybe one of those stories stuck out to you. Or maybe your story with anxiety is completely different. But whatever battle you’re facing with anxiety, the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is living in you. And He didn’t give you a spirit of fear.  That doesn’t mean that if you’re struggling with anxiety you don’t have enough faith. It doesn’t mean that you’re not trusting God enough. In fact, what if anxiety could be the very thing that helps you learn to rely on and trust in God? Could anxiety actually be a catalyst for drawing you closer to God?  Anxiety becomes a gift when it helps us depend on God. That doesn’t mean we stop seeking help or hope. It does mean that we know pursuing peace is a process.  So, is it possible to really live anxious for nothing? Yes. That doesn’t mean there won’t ever be anything to be anxious about. But because of Jesus, we can live anxious for nothing even when there’s something to be anxious about—not by our efforts but by His presence. Check out these verses again:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV  Breathe in that truth. We often fixate on the word “peace,” but it says, “peace of God.” True peace is found only in the presence of God. So what if the answer to anxiety isn’t less stress but more God?  Consider: How might I more regularly invite the presence and peace of God into my life?  Pray: Lord, thank You for your constant presence. I come to You today asking for the peace that only You can provide. I want more of You. I invite you into every part of my life. Help me rely on You more fully and completely today. I give you all my worry and fears. Help me live anxious for nothing by depending on You. I trust You. I give my all to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.  If you’re struggling with anxiety, or someone you love is, there is help and hope available. Learn more about what anxiety can look like, how you can deal with it, and how to help others who are struggling.

I just finished day 6 of the @YouVersion plan ‘Anxious For Nothing’. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/4AQ

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Philippians 3:1 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/php.3.1.KJV

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Philippians 1:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/php.1.18.KJV

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.34.4.KJV

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.23.4.KJV

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:4‭-‬8 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.4-8.KJV

What if you can praise God even in the middle of pain? Brian experienced anxiety that led to some physical symptoms as well. But through his experience, he discovered that he still had much to thank God for. Here’s his story:  I first dealt with acute anxiety and panic some years ago while living in a foreign country during a challenging stage of life. While trying to learn a new language, start a business, be the light of Christ where there was virtually no church present, and parent twin one-year-olds, it was as if I gradually descended a dark valley.  Over the course of several months, I suffered from chest pains, headaches and other sickness that served as a catalyst for fear and concern unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Up until this point in my life, I really hadn’t battled worry too much, and if I’m honest, I even prided myself on being a courageous risk taker. But I soon began to dwell on worst-case scenarios—convinced something serious was wrong with me or that something terrible would happen to my family.  People ask whether my anxiety was circumstantial, physiological, or spiritual. Having considered this quite a bit, I am fairly convinced that the answer is “yes.” I believe that often there can be multiple things at play. Stress has a way of boiling to a point where even those with the highest tolerance are susceptible to its building force.  Also, like other physical limitations or sickness, some of us experience times when our bodies’ chemicals are out of balance. In addition, our spiritual enemy seems to be an opportunist when it comes to his attacks, striking in our areas of weakness.  In Paul’s famous challenge to be anxious for nothing in Philippians 4:6-7, he calls us not only to pray but also to give thanks. The context of Paul’s instruction is not on the heels of victory or after receiving a miraculous breakthrough. In fact, Paul himself was facing a pretty terrible situation. He was writing to the Philippian church from prison and facing a very uncertain future. And yet, his letter reflects his deep joy and attitude of rejoicing.  So in the middle of our pain, we can also give praise.  I don’t believe Paul is asking us to drum up insincere gratitude. I think Paul is challenging us to give thanks where thanks is due, even in the midst of whatever current struggle we are going through.  I have found that I am never without things to celebrate. Even during some of the most difficult trials I have faced, there have also been things I’m thankful for. Meditating on those and voicing gratitude to Him helps transform my perspective and recalibrate my mind.  An overload of negative or stressful thoughts can create a general sense of impending doom. But even when stating my gratefulness to God as a forced act of discipline, I often experience the weight begin to lift.  That’s not to say there’s some gimmicky formula to an anxiety-free life. But the principle of praising God even through pain is a pathway to His life-giving presence, which offers us peace.  -Brian

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:25‭-‬26‭, ‬28‭-‬34 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.6.25-34.KJV

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.27.KJV

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.11.28.KJV

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.6-7.KJV

Do you ever feel guilty for being a Christian who isn’t “anxious for nothing”? Does having anxiety give you more anxiety because you feel like you’re not supposed to feel it? Lori was in the same boat until she discovered one thing that changed everything.  My marriage was in shambles. I was shouldering all of the responsibility of raising three kids, two of them teenagers (Lord, help me!) all on my own. Working, cooking, cleaning, carpooling, fixing, financing, supporting, loving, providing—it was all on me. My anxiety was through the roof, and I didn’t know what to do about it.  I was trying everything I could think of: counseling, meditation, medication, music, exercise, reciting Scriptures, you name it! Nothing seemed to take it away. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely helping to do these things. I learned to use the tools I needed to get myself centered on Christ again. But I was still struggling. Looking back, one thing I realize I wasn’t trying was “not trying.” If you search Scripture, you will find a ton of verses about worry. I know because I was looking for a magic formula to help me conquer it once and for all. In my search, I found something unexpected. You have to pay attention to see it, but in these verses there are implicit instructions from our Father to do nothing. Yes, seriously—nothing. In Matthew 11:28 NIV, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He is doing the work here, not us. We just have to come to Him. In John 14:27 NIV, He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you …” Are you sensing a theme? He is giving us peace. He is giving us rest. We do nothing.  Again in Matthew 6:25-34 NIV, this famous passage tells us not to worry, for God even “clothes the grass of the field,” so how much more will He take care of us? We’re told to “seek first his kingdom … and all these things will be given” to us. That’s right—did you catch that? Given! God is a giver. He has the answers, and He has our back. Some things we just can’t do ourselves, but that is exactly how He designed it. For us to need Him. All of those things I worried about worked out, one way or another. It wasn’t until I took a breath, rested, truly came to Jesus, got quiet, let go of all the details, told God that I trusted Him completely—and then learned to do nothing—that I finally found peace. Ultimately, my prayers became less about my situation and more about my trust in Him.  If you need to do the same, I highly encourage you to rest in Him. You can trust Him. Here’s what I pray when I’m feeling overwhelmed by anxiety again:  Dear Lord, I come to You today to ask for help. You are my everything. Lord, I need rest. I give You my worry. Take it, Lord. I accept Your peace, love, and understanding. Help me to turn to You and not to myself. Help me to stop doing and start trusting. Help me to wait on Your answers, because I know that they are good. Give me wisdom, hope, and peace. Thank you, Lord, for Your patience and grace. I love You, and I know You love me so much more than I could ever imagine. Amen. -Lori

I just finished day 4 of the @YouVersion plan ‘Anxious For Nothing’. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/4AQ

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:1‭-‬4‭, ‬6‭-‬7 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.21.1-7.KJV

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:4‭-‬5 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.4-5.KJV

Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book? Psalm 56:8 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.56.8.KJV