Anxious today?

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." Psalm 1

I used to have an anxiety issue that would rise up in me, making me "nervous" as mama used to call it when she felt that way. I do have an adhd streak or two - most of my friends would agree. I've even been diagnosed with essential tremor lately, and now I understand why I have always felt like I was "wired for sound" without any stimulating chemicals! I remember so well learning this Psalm and learning to speak it when I felt anxiety rising up within me. I highly recommend learning it by reading it aloud several times a day for a while. Personalize it by saying "I am like a tree...". It will soon run through your mind like your cell phone ringer does. (Or does your brain do that like mine does?) Nevermind.

It's really an amazing formula for peace. Promises, precious promises to those who will delight in the LORD and His word. It takes avoiding people who mock and scoff as a way of life - who think they are wiser than God Himself. Think of that. How could we possibly think we are wiser than God? Anytime we choose what we think is right above what He clearly says in His Word is right, that's exactly what we are doing. When we jump out of bed in the morning and run fast to fill our calendar's plans without bowing before Him to learn His plans for our day, we are telling God, the creator of this amazing universe, that we are wiser, stronger, more able than He to see ourselves through the day. When we fret and excuse our worrysome ways instead of being anxious for nothing as Philippians tells us, we are saying that we know more than God does! Crazy, isn't it?

As Easter approaches this Sunday and we think what these days of Passover were like for Jesus Christ, let us renew our commitment, (or make it if we have not), to honestly seek our way in Him and in His word, aligning ourselves with His heart about all matters. It will change our lives forever, and truly bring the success we long for in our lives....in absolutely every way. That is what all the crazy busyness in our lives is seeking, isn't it? The world's definition of success. "How blessed is the man.....