“Do not fret

 or have any anxiety about anything,

 but in every circumstance

 and in everything,

 by prayer and petition (definite requests),

 with thanksgiving,

 continue to make your wants known to God.

  And God’s peace

 [shall be yours,

 that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ,

 and so fearing nothing from God

 and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is,

 that peace]

 which transcends all understanding

 shall garrison

 and mount guard

 over your hearts

 and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4: 6-7 (AMP)

 

I have a sore spot.

Sometimes I have more than one sore spot.

These sore spots are  signals.

They signal that my body is absorbing my worry…my stress…my unrest.

They signal that I am assuming the position of one that falsely believes I am in charge.

They alert my body to what my mind is doing…too often…without ceasing.

The interesting part is that one of these spots resides where my gallbladder used to be housed.

The other where my capable surgeon gained access to my body and removed the culprit.

The past couple of months saw the return of  that nagging pain as concern for the failing health of loved ones mounted.

But these last couple of  weeks…the sore spots have multiplied and at times seemed to take possession of one side of my  body…an old enemy reared its head and gave notice.  The power of stress in the flesh.

What if someone told me that the vice grip of life doesn’t have to be experienced this way?

My friend Paul told the Philippians just that so many years ago and thankfully those words are not an empty echo to me…to you…to all believers in Christ.

Paul reminds me that I am not to fret or have any anxiety about anything…ANY.  THING.

He tells me that in everything and in every circumstance I am to pray…tell God all of it…every bit of  what troubles me…but I am to pray with an attitude of thanksgiving…that can be hard.

Paul continues by saying to continue to make my wants known to God…perhaps each and every time I feel a twinge it is a reminder to practice unbroken conversation with Him…continuing to turn over my burdens to Him…empty clenched fists replaced by the beauty of open hands fit for Him to fill.

Even though I may feel a bit redundant…God must find  this is to His liking as Paul says that God will flood me with an unexplainable peace…that will be the balm  my sore spots need as peace positions itself over my heart and within my mind.  This peace changes everything…it causes my soul to be at rest knowing that I am eternally His…and it casts out fear about what God allows into my life…and it provides contentment with my life…the earthly lot where I find myself.

I shouldn’t have sore spots in the places I do…those are spots where a problem was solved…the pain should end.

I have problems…I tend to worry. 

The problem goes away…I am freed from worry.

Could it be that worry is my attempt to cut out the problem but pain is not minimized it is multiplied?

Worry surgically removes the Physician.

Prayer causes the Healer to prescribe peace.

I have a sore spot.

Sometimes I have more than one sore spot.

But there is ONE that can touch each and every sore spot and bring me peace…such marvelous peace.

Father, forgive me that I am so slow to learn.  Help me to replace the habit of worry with prayer…thankful prayer.

Amen.