My mom, Honey, had taken my girls to the playground one day when they were little. When they got there someone had thrown one of the swings over the top of the swing set and she could not reach it. Honey said before she could try anything, my youngest, Ivey, said, "Honey, we have to pray!" Mom said the three of them got in a circle and prayed for God to help them get the swing down. In the meantime they would use the slide, etc. Minutes later, they saw a bunny and was watching it. Right by the bunny was a big stick - perfect for getting the swing down. And it did. My girls were so excited and they were learning, early on, nothing is too big or too small to talk to God about.
Often times when I write I later question if what I wrote was dumb. The other day after I wrote about Mike's surgery I thought, "that is dumb, lots of people have knee surgery." While that is true, this is not any person, this is my husband and best friend. Also, I was very concerned about the blood clots. God brought to mind a verse that I need to remember! Philippians 4: 6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
So the Bible tells us to not be anxious about ANYTHING! Many times when I am anxious it is over silly and small stuff. We are not told to try not to be anxious, we are told NOT to be anxious. How do we do that? Go to the next sentence. Present our request to God - pray! And don't skip the part that says, "in EVERY situation". It doesn't say just the big stuff, just the important stuff. It says EVERY situation which includes what we may think are silly or small. I heard someone say, "What is left after everything? Nothing." Exactly. God wants us to pray about everything.
I love that it says, "with thanksgiving". When I ask for something I hope I always remember to be grateful that I can come to God, that I believe He will do what is best for me and that I am His child. The best part is the last sentence. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Our Heavenly Father will give us a supernatural peace that we cannot understand and only He can give.
I believe God wants to hear about it all because we are His children. And He already knows our thoughts anyway, He knows when we are struggling. Nothing is off limits with Him. He is just waiting for us to call out to Him. Psalm 121: 1-2, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." 1 Peter 5: 7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
So next time you or I have that conversation between ourself and ourself that is worse than a bunch of no-see-ums swarming our head, let's remember to pray! It will take less effort than swatting the annoying gnats. Worry will create more stress and prayer will create more peace!
"When fear knocks on your door, send faith to answer!"