When we're troubled with an anxious worrying thought...

[Jackie]

What do we do when we're troubled by an anxious, worrying thought? You know those questions of what if and what if I can't sort this out etc. etc. We've all been in this position. Tomorrow, I plan to delve into the scriptures and hear what the Holy Spirit would teach us on the subject of worry and anxiety. Feel free to contribute anything on this subject,

[Jackie]

Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. Philippians 4:6


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Let your requests be made known unto God-with generous, filial, unreserved confidence; not keeping aught back, as too great, or else too small, to bring before God, though you might feel so as to your fellow men. So Jacob, when fearing Esau (Ge 32:9-12); Hezekiah fearing Sennacherib (2Ki 19:14; Ps 37:5).

[Jackie]

After reading what some of the bible commenters have said about worry and anxious thoughts, I have sensed a certain fear within me regarding a train of thought that started about three weeks ago. I've noticed the devil's used this tactic before with me and got me feeling worried, anxious and fearful about something. So, tomorrow I will also incude some bible research on the subject of fear as well as worry and anxious thoughts. Share as you feel led.

[Lee M]

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. 
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways, and
My thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:8-9

[Jackie]

Dear Lee, thank you for sharing God's word with me, it really does minister and make a lot of difference to the way I think and feel. I did some thinking and I felt to pray for something in particular. If I hadn't felt this fear inside me, then I would never have ended up praying about something that I haven't really prayed about before. So one thing leads to another. This morning before rising, I thought of the importance of letting the Lord lead and me follow. Not always easy as I sometimes forget He leads and I follow.

[Lee M]

Dear Jackie, All the glory goes to the Lord our God Almighty.  His word is,
forever, it never changes, it never goes, void, it stands firm and it will
accomplish all that the Lord says it will.  Thank you, for blessing me.  I
too had to pray about a situation that was hindering me.  The Lord in
His grace allowed it but it is now, resolved.  It is, very important for the
Lord to lead and for us to follow Him, in footsteps.  Sometimes, we all,
have to eat a little, humble pie on occasion.  Thank you, for, the reminder.

For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the
field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord
stands forever."  And this is the word that was preached to you.
1 Peter1:24-25

[Jackie]

Thank you Lee. Lord please bless Lee today with an extra sense of Your presence.

I have another worrying thought. You know I recently shared with you how a man assaulted my son and he was found unconsious by the paramedics?

Well, my son has a stag do on this weekend, and he has to travel to a city two hours away. It is his friend's stag do. Will the Lord clothe my son in His armour?

In the last couple of years, my son has encountered rascist taunts and then drunken thugs coming at him with their fists. Last year my son had 21 stitches in his mouth, and then recently he sustained a head wound.

I was asked to share what happened recently. The man who threw a side punch at my son's head suffered himself. We had no idea he had suffered until my son was told at a later date. It seems the man who attacked him, he was the same man who had made rascist taunts at my son a few weeks earlier. Well, my son has been told, this man fractured his hand when he threw a side punch at my son's head. Because my son slipped backwards and knocked himself unconsious, he has no memory of what happened. He never saw the man, because he was hidden from my son, coming at him from behind.

I taught my son to forgive and pray for those who hurt us, and my son understands this is what Jesus teaches us to do. My son is not a fighter and he's a peaceful young man. Well, not only did the attacker fracture his hand, he also got the sack from his job, when his boss heard about the attack on my son. We live in a small town; very small, and news tends to travel very quickly.

I had actually asked the Lord to forgive this young attacker and bless him, as Jesus has asked us to pray this way. I could have prayed for divine retribution, but I didn't. I am just hoping, as this attacker nurses his broken hand and mourns the loss of his job, he might consider committing his life to Jesus Christ.

Let's pray he will turn to Jesus Christ. Father, we pray for the young man who has taunted my son racially and then attacked him physically. We pray Father, this young man will really consider his ways and have an opportunity to turn his life around for the better. Send Your Holy Spirit, ministering angels and Christians along his path please. Amen.

[Lee M]

The Lord is well pleased with the attitude of your heart ......

It's too bad the guy was injured himself...hopefully he will wise up, stop the
drinking, and turn to Christ for his salvation.  As believers we will add him
to the prayer list of "souls for salvation." 

Thank God, Chanza, did not retaliate.  Believe me it is not a sign of
weakness but a sign of strength of character.  Please tell him, I said
so.  I'm happy for you, Jackie, that your son is fine and that he was
vindicated.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be
at peace with him" Proverbs 16:7.  This verse is for my son too.
 
I've shared this verse with you before, but I will share it, again because
it's an encouraging verse for all those who have children that, no matter
how young or old they are, we as parents are always concerned for their
welfare.

"All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
and great shall be the peace of your children"
Isaiah 54:13

[Jackie]

Thank you so much Lee for sharing this.

Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Psalm 115:11

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. Psalm 121:5

The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. Psalm 146:9

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Psalm 68:5

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Psalm 65:2

[Jackie]

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. Psalm 145:19

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  Psalm 37:24

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Psalm 145:14

[Jackie]

Father, we commit any worrying, anxious, doubting, unbelieving thoughts to You now. Please come and strengthen our hearts, fill us with faith and let our hearts just trust You completely. We commit our loved ones into Your hands, praying You will watch over them. We pray You will always hear and answer our prayers. Amen.

[Abigail]

Father, we commit any worrying, anxious, doubting, unbelieving thoughts to You now. Please come and strengthen our hearts, fill us with faith and let our hearts just trust You completely. We commit our loved ones into Your hands, praying You will watch over them. We pray You will always hear and answer our prayers. Amen.

Amen

[Charles-and-Ness]