Pouring rain woke me hours before dawn. With coffee in hand, I slipped quietly onto the screen porch and settled into my comfy chair.
Thank you Father for the sound of this rain-for the soft warm breeze-a respite in winter.
Before I could go on a loud thought, like an emergency news bulletin interrupting a television show, crashed into my brain.
It’s Monday morning…lots of people have to be on the road this morning. There will be wrecks, maybe terrible wrecks–
Father, be with everyone in traffic this morning, keep commuters safe from harm. I deliberately turn my mind back to prayer because this is what I’ve learned to do when worry screams loud. But before I could finish the prayer another loud thought bullied it’s way through,
This peaceful Monday morning could turn on a dime if someone I love is in a horrible wreck because of the rain…
This time, with the mention of my loved ones, my mind races for a few seconds. Instead of immediately turning to prayer I take an inventory of my family and which ones will be on the road this morning.
Father keep Mike safe, and Timothy, and …. I continue, praying over every name. By the time I’m done my heart is beating a little faster and the rain no longer sounds quite so peaceful. It actually sounds a little dangerous. The before dawn darkness that just a minute ago was gently bringing in a new day, is now ominous and has me longing for light.
Why do I do this Father, look for disaster behind the blessing?
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”
The verse from Philippians answers me back and I remember what I left out of my prayer…
Thank you for your protection this morning…thank you for keeping those so precious to me safe. I trust you with the day Father, with my family and friends…with the rain…with the slow and steady rain. Thank you for your peace, I can almost breathe it in…
Full circle. I was back to giving thanks for the sweetness of the morning.
When worry comes in strong and I turn to prayer, that’s only half the battle. If I stop there, I’m still thinking about my worries. It’s only when I continue with thanksgiving for prayers answered and remind myself that I’m putting my trust in God that worry begins to evaporate and peace wins.
***
Some of you, hopefully most of you, don’t struggle with loud worrisome thoughts. But a few of you can probably relate. Over the years I’ve discovered the way to peace is exactly what I did that morning…
~pray about the worrisome thought
~thank the Father for answering my prayers
~remind myself that I trust Him…however He chooses to answer
If you have a tendency to look for disaster behind the blessing how do you deal with it?
Cindy says
January 16, 2013 at 8:25 amBeautiful and so true!
Blessings,
Cindy
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:51 pmCindy smooches and hugs sweetie
Felicia says
January 16, 2013 at 8:40 amI do the same thing. Last week the burden of my heart was so heavy as I turned to my devotional “Jesus Calling” and as you know it, my sweet Father had prepared it just for me, just for that perfect time when I would need it. It went along with this same thought. “Speak to me candidly: pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set in motion long before you can discern results…Thankful prayers keep your focus on My Presence and My promises. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 Blessings to you today sweet sister in Christ. Felicia
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:51 pmFelicia~ I love that- thank you so much for sharing…sending love friend ox
Julie Garmon says
January 16, 2013 at 9:01 amYou know I’m one of those people you’re writing to.
Love your message. Went straigh to my heart. And perfect picture too. Even looks like tears.
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:50 pmJulie, yes I do know that you and I share this lovely trait 🙂 xo
Jane says
January 16, 2013 at 9:20 amOh, yes, I totally relate to this! Ever since my husband lost his job, three years ago, it seems as if I am constantly waiting for “the other shoe to drop”. Anticipating something to go wrong. Perhaps that is why God burdened my heart so heavily in selecting my One Word for this year….trust. It is so hard to let go and trust that all will be well, according to His will. I want very badly to make things okay and try to handle it all on my own. It takes effort sometimes to refocus the worry and turn it into praise and prayer. But, that is what we are told to do. When we finally let go and turn it over to God, there is a peace that fills our hearts. Yet, the next time a situation arises, our human nature immediately turns to worry again. It is a process of redirecting that negative to a positive each and every time….a lesson that is learned over and over. Until, hopefully and by God’s grace, it begins to sink in and take precedence over our weak tendencies. So good to read that others share a similar struggle and we can be an encouragement to each other! Thank you for the honesty and the courage to write this post and be an encourager to me today.
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:49 pmJane, I’m sorry you deal with this too but boy am I ever glad you told me I’m not the only one! Ya know, what you said: a lesson that is learned over and over until hopefully it begins to sink in 🙂 I’m counting on that xo
April says
January 16, 2013 at 9:53 amThank you so much for sharing this word. Very timely and a great reminder!
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:47 pmApril, hugs and smooches Sweetie xo
Diana says
January 16, 2013 at 10:05 amFirst, thanks for fixing the color palette link. That being said thank you for this timely post. I may have too much of a simplistic view, but I always know God is watching over me. So when that human worry comes I try to instantly turn it over to God. I think when you get older you finally learn you really have no control and all the planning in the world could crash in on your head at any moment.My favorite thing to say is “It is what it will be” and try and move forward. I think that is real trust and I do or I don’t. Thanks again!
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:47 pmDiana, I love it: It is what it will be…I’m going to remember that and borrow it 🙂
I think you’re right about getting older, as I get older I’m finally learning to trust. Better late than never though 🙂 xo
Michell B says
January 16, 2013 at 10:31 amGod has really been speaking to me these past couple of days! I know that HE is in control, and your post is reminding me to quit worrying! I tend to overthink and worry about things that haven’t even happened but may happen! This was just what I needed today! Thank you for letting God speak through you!
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:45 pmMichell!!!! This is exactly what I’ve always done! It’s not intentional it’s just my go-to thought process. It takes work to learn to focus on trust xo
Carissa says
January 16, 2013 at 10:40 amThank you for sharing what you’ve learned. It’s such a comforting reminder. So often I have to learn the same lesson over and over before I manage to remember how God would have me respond…
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:43 pmCarissa, this is so true for me too. Learning takes intention xo
Gina says
January 16, 2013 at 11:35 amWe can all benefit from this!! Thanks for sharing your process. 🙂
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:43 pmGina, xo
Elizabeth Stewart says
January 16, 2013 at 12:17 pmGreat advice! Turning worry or fearful, anxious thoughts into prayer, with thanksgiving, is essential as I am learning to lean on and trust God more and more.
Robin says
January 16, 2013 at 1:36 pmElizabeth, It takes me an awfully long time to learn things-I have to practice and practice and practice xoxo
Casey says
January 16, 2013 at 1:45 pmI constantly struggle with my thoughts rushing to disaster. Then I stop and pray and let it go. It is a hard lesson to learn, for sure. One I have to repeatedly work on. I love being in control but as I get older I realize I have no control and shouldn’t even dwell on it. I find comfort in knowing I’m not the only one fighting this battle. With each other’s support and reminding us what we need to do( go to God with prayer and thanksgiving) we not only survive but thrive. Thank you, Robin for this message this morning.
Eileen says
January 16, 2013 at 5:21 pmThanks so much for writing this post Robin. Sometimes, I think I am the only one who can worry about anything! I am going to write down your suggestions as to what you do when you start to worry and keep them close by.
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” ~Leo Buscaglia
Hugs my friend, Eileen
Robin says
January 17, 2013 at 9:23 amEileen, love that quote and boy have I ever lived it!!! You aren’t alone!!!! I have to fight worry every day about most everything. sending love friend xo