Tuesday Devotions
Like so many others in the PWOC world, I am on the move again, this time from Korea back to the states. Everybody in the military knows that moving can bring on stress. Currently I am having trouble sleeping. I often go to sleep easily but awaken about 3 or 4 a.m. and can’t go back to sleep. I’ve also been having those dreams that I have a final exam and haven’t been to class in weeks. This anxiety keeps me from getting a full night’s sleep and leaves me less than my best the next day. I need some help!
But where, oh Lord, does my help come from? It comes from You! Right away Philippians 4:6 comes to mind…be anxious for nothing. How can I apply this to my right now world, my anxious night time reality? Let’s read that verse and include some surrounding verses to get the context:
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Oh, man, it starts off with “Rejoice!” Not just ‘count your blessings’ but “Rejoice!” He wants me to really enjoy and appreciate all the fabulous things He has done for me here in Korea and what He is continually doing for me daily. Then He promises that He will be near me, thank goodness. I can use a guy like Him around. Next, He wants my gentleness evident to all around me, including and especially my family and my neighbors. He commands me not to be anxious, but to ask Him about all my needs and He wants me to be thankful when I ask. I keep in mind all the times He has answered my prayers in the past and be thankful that He knows me and has control of what is best for me. Sometimes I forget that I can ask for simple things like a good night’s sleep.
Used by permission.
