stress

Colossians 1

Yesterday, I read Philippians 4, and I think I really need to focus on these verses for a while:

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I have been pretty stressed and anxious about work, and I need to rejoice in the Lord and trust Him instead of worrying.  But it is not as easy as just saying it.  It truly requires a focus of the mind and heart.

I think verses 11-14 of Col. 1 reinforce where our peace comes from (i.e., focusing on God and His goodness instead of ourselves and our weakness):

 ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming us from death and sin and bringing us into your kingdom of light, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  Thank you for forgiving us and empowering us through your Spirit to live a life worthy of you.  We want to please you and bear your good fruit so that others may taste and see that you are good.  Please strengthen us with endurance and patience so that we can run this race to finish and honor you.  Please deliver us from distractions and temptations; help us set our eyes and heart on Jesus Christ.  I love you, Lord.  I ask in the name of Jesus Christ.