Last
night I was reminded in prayer about one of the ways that the Lord has taught
me to refocus when I feel anxious.
Making gratitude lists—and making a habit of finding things for which I
can be grateful—turns my attention away from negative feelings of any kind
toward God whose blessings are so abundant in everything around me and within
me. Sometimes when I start, I have to
keep things very simple, “Lord, thank you for my pillow, Lord, thank you for my
bed, Lord, thank you for….” As I do
this, I start seeing more and more things to be thankful for, and my anxieties
start fading.
The beauty of spring is more and more evident all around us,
so thanking God for sunshine, flowers, the greening of the trees, and the
singing of the birds (all things which cannot be affected by the troubles
around us) flows from the practice of being grateful. Keep thanking God, turning to God in praise,
and rejoicing will flow, also.
Nancy Waldo, St. Mary’s Woods
Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord
always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to
everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally,
beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is
any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think
about these things.
Prayer
suggestion:
When you go to the Lord
in prayer today, in addition to praying for protection for your health and that
of your loved ones, add a prayer of thanksgiving for all the many ways that God
is with us and working in and through our prayers.
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