oh hello old blog-of-extensive-thoughts, it’s been awhile.
I decided to post a thought here this morning because my thought was a bit longer than what qualified for my “short happy post” at Slippery Leaves & Panty Thieves.
I advise you all to never begin your morning with a financial spreadsheet, who does that?!
Ever since I made the decision to move to NYC in August, all of my dreams of the city have been fairly ideal, I love the artistic vibes, bright lights, hustle and bustle, small living spaces, endless coffee cups, unpredictable days, etc.
But one thing keeps coming around that just won’t go away,
and it’s a bit disheartening and it is slightly snowing on my dreams of NYC (I would say rain, but ’tis the season…)
$$$$$$$$$$
That’s right, in case you didn’t know… NYC is a bit pricy. Taking the semester off to work and save up money and concentrate on the jewelry biz was definitely a smart idea… but the thought keeps rolling around, “What if it isn’t enough? What am I going to do? At this rate, I’m not going to have enough saved!!” Things never go as planned…
I fret and I worry and I squirm in my shell every time I begin thinking about the threat of finances. I hate growing up.
Sitting down this morning with a cup of coffee (or two or three), I decided I needed to create a spreadsheet for Fretful Design if I was really going to get serious about this thing… halfway into it the financial squirms came and as usual, I began to freak out….is this really worth it?
Right in the middle of my jitters, my phone made the “da-ding!” email sound. I looked at the clock and it was 8:15, and I knew exactly what it was. Since last year I have been getting Word’s from the Well daily emails from Jim Musser, a campus minister at Appalachian. On more occasions than I can count, his words have spoke peace, conviction, humility and grace into my life… the very truths I need to hear at that very moment.
I regret this was the first morning I have actually read the devotion in quite a while, it seems like every time I get them I am at work and the demon of forgetfulness wins over later in the day… sigh.
Something just told me to open it this morning, probably my guilty conscience. I began reading through the scripture at the top, one that I had heard over and over in my lifetime, and there is was… conviction.
As one who has struggled with anxiety and worry all of my life, I could have used this very devotion painted across my bathroom mirror a LONG time ago as a daily reminder, but I am so grateful that I received this today. All of my worries of finances and city lights dissolved into the truths of this devotion. I read it again and I will have to keep reading it for it to fully soak in, and I know I will still fight and squirm against the peace of Christ with anxiety…
but I know peace is on the other side.
After a long introduction, I want to share this with you my friends, be anxious for nothing and accept peace today.
Words from the Well, February 1, 2011 A PRESCRIPTION FOR WHAT AILS US
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9 NIV)People worry. A lot. In fact, sometimes I think it is the national past time. Parents worry about their kids’ safety and futures. Students worry about classes and what they are going to do after graduation, and whether they will ever meet the “right one.” People worry about their jobs, the economy, and the state of the world. They worry about getting cancer and growing old. They worry about almost everything.From what I can tell, this is not a new problem. People have always tended to worry. Jesus told the people not to worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:33) And here Paul tells the Philippian believers not to be anxious about anything. Worry, it seems, is something human beings are prone to do. Yet, the Scriptures are clear it is not something we should do. What to do?In this passage we find a four-point prescription for what ails us. We tend to focus on the negative, all that could go wrong. Instead, Paul says to concentrate on the positive and by so doing we will develop a different outlook. Secondly, he says that instead of being anxious about something, we should take our worries to God in prayer. And third, he says we should recognize that God is near to us and thus in control of the situation. We can trust Him. Finally, he says we need put these into practice.When I find myself in a state of anxiety or worry, it is because I have failed to do what Paul instructed. I become focused on the problem or fear instead of more positive things. I am consumed by my worry, so much so that I forget to take it to the Lord. And I fail to trust He is in control even when I feel I am not.Today, know you do not have to be consumed by worry and anxiety. The Lord has provided you a way out of that kind of living. And if you are worried about not being able to change your worrying ways, the same prescription applies to that, too.Jim MusserSenior Campus MinisterCampus Christian FellowshipAppalachian State University© Jim Musser 2011To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. To subscribe, send e-mail towordsfromthewell@yahoo.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Posted on February 1, 2011
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