Series: Flowers in the Desert
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Sometimes I wonder if the writers of the text in scripture knew that more than two thousand years after they wrote the history, the poems, the songs, and the letters if they had any idea how we would read and memorize the words they wrote.
For example, did the Apostle Paul know that anxiety would be one of the modern day “plagues” in 2024?
Did God show him while he sat in prison what the future would look like on a crowded New York subway?
I know God can do that, but I also believe God would only do that if there was some great purpose.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “do not be anxious 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.”
I readily admit that I memorized that verse when my children were small. I remember when they played, it was serious business. Three of the four were boys and they ran, wrestled, jousted, and played to win. At one point, all of my friends had girls who would quietly play with dolls or have tea parties. Our house was anything but quiet (and I loved it,)
When they would come to our house and see how noisy (and rough) the boys played, they would ask me “How can you stand it?”
The first time I was asked that question I said, “stand what?”
I honestly had no idea what they were talking about.
One of them once asked me, “so, how LOUD is too loud?”
Hummm..I hadn’t thought about that.
Another friend who had one daughter told me she would not be able to stand the noise or the wrestling. She asked me how I learned to cope with it?
I explained that I had a few simple rules:
“Do not make your brother (or your sister) bleed.”.
“Do not break bones.”
Do not hit so hard you cause bruising.”
Oh and, “do not hit the dogs.”
That last one was because the only way the dog could fight back was to bite someone, and besides I didn’t want the dog to get hurt. I knew they wouldn’t hit the dogs on purpose because they loved the dogs, but it was a reminder.
While they did play and play hard, I did have a few rules.
We took time in the afternoon to rest. Two of my sons didn’t really need to rest, but they were still required to sit quietly on their beds and either read or color. They were not allowed to have contact with anyone else during quiet time.
That was my first prayer time of the day. They all knew afternoon prayer time was sacred to Mom and they would get in trouble if the were not quiet during afternoon quiet time.
Peace was an important part of prayer time. Even when we had a crazy loud morning and lunch time, I knew quiet time was coming.
I did so look forward to prayer time. God guarded my heart and mind always, but prayer time was special.
My second set aside prayer time came after everyone was tucked in for the night. If it was warm enough I would go sit outside under the stars (when it was a clear night) and I would pray and listen. I would ask God to prepare me for what was ahead.
I would ask God to show me what I needed to know.
I am a visual learner, and dreams and visions have been part of my life since I was fourteen years old. That’s how old I was when I went to hear Billy Graham preach. The Spirit awakened me that night and after that night I started having dreams and visions. Jesus has been my guide.
At first I wasn’t sure about my dreams and visions, but my dad helped me to understand them.
After my dad went to be with Jesus when I was 34 years old, God send others to help me interpret what I saw. I knew I didn’t need to be anxious because God would show me the way and others would come to help me to understand.
Many many people who had gifts different than my gifts have helped me understand what God is telling me.
Later in life I was blessed to walk with men and women who were older who had the same gifts I had. I learned a LOT from them.
About that same time I heard about a Spiritual Director who had an office nearby and I was told I could make an appointment to go sit with him periodically. He was very gifted and helped me understand what God was saying.
Through it all, God’s peace is always there and it’s such a blessing!
God guides us.
The work of the Spirit surpasses understanding.
God keeps our hearts and minds in Jesus.
My children have blessed me all the days of my life. We text almost daily. We pray for our families. We fight FOR each other and God guides our steps every single day.
Spiritual Practice: Do not be Anxious
Pray and let the peace of God keep your heart and mind in Jesus.
In God, Deborah
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