The Rocking Chair on the Front Porch

One of my favorite things to see is a rocking chair on a front porch. Looking at it makes me feel peace-full. I don't have a rocking chair, or a front porch, but I sure would like to!

Worry (which I seem to do alot of)is the opposite of peace-full. It leaves me peace-less!

Most of the time I don't even realize I'm worried. I am wired to think a lot so I get used to the constant hurricane of thoughts in my head. Before I know it worry will start to slowly creep in, and then before I know it, there's a quickening of my heart beat, my mind won't shift gears and little concerns have kicked into full-blown worry. My sweet husband...he is so good to remind me to "take it to Jesus."

I read in my devotions today that, "Worry is like a rocking chair, it will give you something to do but it won't get you anywhere!" HA HA.....so much for my image of peace-full! That statement is so bang on.....and when I stop worrying, I realize I've wasted valuable time and mental energy thinking about something I can't change when I should've been talking to God - since He's the only one who can change things.

Philippians 4:7 "…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I love the promise that God's peace could transcend my need to understand! Sometimes that's my biggest problem; I wouldn't be so worried about what God is doing if He'd just explain why so I could understand better.

But God doesn't say He'll give us understanding in this verse, He says He'll give us peace in the midst of not understanding. And that's what I want. I want God's nearness to be my good and trusting His sovereignty to be my goal. According to the Word, all I have to do is:

1. Stop worrying – press the pause button on my consuming concerns.
2. Start praying – open my mouth and tell God what I need.
3. Start thanking God – remind my heart of God's faithfulness by thanking Him for what He's done. Count my blessings......

I should be able to do that.....but why is it so hard to follow through? I seem to naturally do the opposite. Is the enemy whispering: Do not be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do and take control if He doesn' t listen. Haha.....this sounds ridiculous.....but, before I know it, my concerns are consuming me and my worries are robbing me of God's promised peace.

My goal is to not live that way. God promises to provide just what I need – to keep me in perfect peace, as I put my trust in Him and not in my worries. So, today when my worries & concerns seem to be consuming, I will choose to stop and empty my heart of my worries & concerns, talk to God about what I need and thank Him for His faithfulness and provision. It's amazing how "peace-full" comes when I stop worrying, start praying and begin thanking God for what He has done and will do.

Like the sign says,"Sometimes God calms the storm......and sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child."