I stayed home from church today because my cold has moved to the lungs and I’m coughing some and didn’t want to spread the “love”.  Hoping I can kick this quickly.  I’m sure the junk in the air from these fires  and the winds sure aren’t helping.  I decided to listen to a few Charles Stanley messages while I sit by the tree and wrap Christmas gifts.  It was the perfect message for me to hear after the week we’ve had!  God Knew I needed that! He’s awesome that way!

These fires are just awful and won’t QUIT.  I was reminded as I read the Bible this morning and listened to that message that I need to refocus and turn that FOCUS on God and not the issue that causes the initial anxiety.  It is a CHOICE that we as Christians have to make! We can’t PANIC when our Faith is in God.  Making a choice to turn to Him and look at the issues through His eyes and KNOW that He has the control is a way we can refocus.  He knows the outcome, and He has a plan!   I have to learn to loosen up the grip on things in this life that I’m not intended to even hold on to.  We will constantly be given trials and tribulations to endure.  God never promises things will be a bowl full of cherries.  However, He does promise that that we can have UNSHAKEABLE PEACE.  The Peace can rule in our hearts if we know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of PEACE Himself give you peace at all times in EVERY way….” We are only going to have that if we recognize that we are DEPENDENT upon Him….. ALL THE TIME.  We can’t just go to Him during trials and times of anxiety, but we must make it a habit to DAILY seek God and be filled with His Peace.  He has to be our constant and our “go to”.

Its easy to get thrown off balance isn’t it? Even for those who have been a Christian since they were 10! We need reminders in our life from family, friends, church, messages to get back on track and stay focused on the ONE who has it all and can give us that UNSHAKEABLE PEACE!  Stay in the word, seek Him in prayer, and give Him your burdens to carry.  That Peace will always be there if you Know Him.

Psalm 55: 22 “Cast you burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved”