July 18, 2016
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7
Worrying comes easy. You just keep a circumstance .. a what-if .. or “if this happens, then ..” at the front of your thoughts and store it in your heart. Pretty soon you don’t have the energy to turn it off. Anxiety and worry will wreck havoc in your life. You already know this if you are prone to worrying. Jesus invited anyone who was worn down and worn out to come to Him .. take from His life .. and “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” He promises rest and relief. He is the only lasting and true response against anxiety and worry. He moves in where worry occupies space in your heart and mind. Then He cleans up that very place in you with His life .. and leaves His peace. The circumstances may not change .. the what-if may linger .. and the if-this-happens may remain. But Jesus is now carrying all that weight inside of you. “It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” It only takes a moment …
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to Christ followers (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
