Be anxious about nothing...

but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7 NKJV emphasis mine)

As I read this passage last night, the Lord brought life to it in a new way. How many times have I read this and not paused long enough to let the Word richly penetrate my very existence? Over the past two years I've battled with fear of having more children. When describing my thoughts to other women, particularly moms, I have often said how anxious I felt soon after having Isaac. I know part of it was the natural human process of carrying a child for nine months. Hormones don't always cooperate with us ladies! Some of it though, is in my control. This passage tells me to be anxious about nothing. Nada. Not one thing at all. Ever.

I am to commit my concerns to Christ - every single one of them. While reading this last night, I realized I tend to quickly pass over the second part. When I commit myself to the Lord, He gives me the peace of God and guards my heart and mind. Did you hear that loud and clear? The peace of God! Not the peace of man, which diminishes at every twist and turn. I have a choice to let my worries overcome me or to lift them up to the One who has overcome the world.

The next few verses in Philippians exhort us to keep our thoughts on Christ. We are to think about things that are true, noble, pure, lovely and praiseworthy. When we meditate on the nature of Christ, we don't have room for worry or anxiety. I realize I'll never perfect this in my lifetime, but through the Spirit I have the power to submit everything, heart or head, to the Lord.

I believe God is working in me; He is teaching me to trust His plan, not my own. Now, I joyfully look forward to expanding our family if that is what He has for us. Thankfully, Jesus is patient and loving toward me. He knows the life He gives is a life of growth. Today, I choose a life of peace, free from anxious thoughts. Tomorrow, I will choose the same. It is always a choice. It is a choice to sin or submit. What do you choose? Let's trust God at His Word as He floods our hearts and minds with His undeniable peace!