PRAYER
As we prepare to pack our bags and finalize our list of things we shouldn't forget for our trip, I do so with a heart filled with excitement and a head which has a bit of panic trying to sneak its way in. deep breath deep breath.
I don't mind flying, I especially don't mind it when my entire family is with me. It is when one or two of us fly separate that I allow anxiety and panic to creep its ugly head in. So as we prepare for our trip I'm feeling good about things. I'm excited beyond words to be blessed with this gift of going to see my grandparents and feeling double blessed to be sharing this trip with my husband. Even with a heart filled and pouring over of blessings... there is that one little nag that has been tuggin' at me in the back of my mind. "WHAT IF". UGGGG
I was doing really well until last night when the kids were asking about the trip, mostly the flights. And when they started saying "call when you get there, let me know you are alright, I wanna know when you land". Well of course we'll call I thought. Of course we'll arrive, my uncle will pick us up, I'll wrap my arms around my family and my life will be a great big smile. And then I hear that ugly whisper "WHAT IF". UGGGG
I'm so grateful for a heart that knows to hush the "WHAT IF" with asking Jesus to fill my head with Him and to remove the thoughts that have no place in the heart or mind of a chick that knows full well that God is in control. My God has a bigger purpose for my life than to allow it to waste it's time and energy on worry.
I'm a worrier by nature. (I blame my gene pool for this trait- I come from a long line of worriers) I worry about situations that aren't even my own! I worry about my neighbors, strangers, friends, self and family. In my worry I know to turn it over to God, to let go of worry and panic and doubt and allow God to take it. And I do, I trust Him to take it, to remove it to lift it and provide me with a peace.
Sometimes however the WHAT IF feels so big. and I feel so small in my fight against it. I know it's Satan sucking the joy, fun, excitement and fun out of my trip before I even get my bags packed. WHAT IF I don't make it to Florida? WHAT IF I do and don't make it home? WHAT IF something happens in an airport, WHAT IF I slip and fall down the stairs while at my grandparents. WHAT IF I choose to allow MY BIG GOD to take that little what if and smash it like a bug in the presents of that awful demon who wants to suck the life out of our trip?
Never be anxious about the next day for the next day will have worries of its own. Matthew 6:34
Ohhh yes! I say "IN JESUS NAME" and I pray over our trip, I find that the panic is trumped by prayer and my heart is filled with excitement and the "what if" is more like "What if I eat dessert after every meal", "What if we aren't able to find a souvenir for the kids", "What if we forget something".... see how awesome God is! Replacing my worry with my prayer warrior ways brings my prayers to put my panic in the back seat in a truck goin' the other direction. My God is awesome, My God is bigger than my worry and My God has a blessing over this trip that goes above and beyond what I am able to understand. SO thankful for a heart that seeks God when worry works it's way in.
Today I'm grateful for a heart full of faith and love and dependence on a God that is bigger than any fear, worry or situation. God is good, all the time!