“Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Six o’clock am.
I reluctantly exited by bedroom. Wearing yoga pants, fleece top, and sneakers I appeared ready for my morning run.
But inwardly I groaned.
She had already spied me. Our new puppy was the epitome of exuberance in the early morning. Every morning.
Before I would complete my descent down the steps, she was bounding up the stairs, biting playfully at my flapping boot-cut pants and pouncing on me, threatening to topple me down to the first floor.
Eyeing her energy, anxiety filled my mind. Lord, how is this going to work when school’s in session? It’s easy to take her running first thing right now, but this autumn?
All summer I agonized how I would handle her morning routine when school began. With one daughter leaving at 6:45, and another leaving by 7:10, that precious puppy would need to wait to walk until after those girls had gone.
What would she be like until then? Would she burst around the house like a shark in a feeding frenzy? And would she ever stop that puppy nipping?
Concerns flooded my mind as I tried to just enjoy this sweet girl who was growing by the minute.
But as time marched on toward that red circle on the August calendar, amazing things were happening.
Puppies mature faster than I imagined.
Within the first six weeks, her morning greeting of ‘all jaws’ stopped. Instead, she’d plop at my feet for a good belly rub, offering me lick-kisses in return.
By the time we needed to implement our school morning routine, that puppy had almost tripled in size, but did not need to rush out for exercise first thing. She contentedly snacked on breakfast, happily abstaining from the frantic fray as groggy girls rushed around her.
I didn’t know much about dogs when she arrived. It’s comical now when I reflect back on my concerns. I did not see the whole picture. I had no way of knowing she would mature and develop so fast.
But God did.
He knew I needn’t worry. Had I applied Philippians 4:6 to even this seemingly simple scenario, I would have saved myself significant stress.
Why is Philippians 4:6 necessary? It reminds me to give it to God. He’s got it. I don’t need to figure it out.
Thankfully, I have a very cute sweetheart greeting me every morning, reminding me my fears are hardly ever realized.
And when we do get outside?
I utilize some of those moments for prayer.
Prayers of petition.
Prayers of thanksgiving. Thankful that God uses seemingly simply daily moments to teach me. He really does care about every thing!
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that I have a high priest who knows the experience of fear. Not only does He know anxiety, He provides the way out from under it. Please help me to recall that truth and the promise that I can, indeed I should, bring each and every daily concern to You. Thank You for loving me so much! Amen.
Reflections:
What concerns cause me anxiety?
How can I implement giving them to God?
What can I recall and/or do when my mind fights to retrieve them?
Do anxious thoughts torment your mind? Remembering God’s promises can help ease anxiety and draw us close to Him. When you sign up to receive my devotions delivered to your inbox, I will send you a free copy of 6 Promises to Cling to During Trials. As always, feel free to request prayer in the comments below.