As I spend yet another day sick with the worst cold I've had in ages... it is hard to muster up the energy to rejoice. But I have so much to be thankful for. I met with one of the groups that I am doing a project with this semester... and I got to do something I love - host. I made muffins and tea, and even though I felt gross and was coughing like a chain-smoker... I was encouraged and loved by these beautiful women I have the honour of calling my friends. Although there are many things I don't enjoy about it, nursing school has brought the most incredible friendships and experiences that have changed the way I see others and myself. So yes.... today I will REJOICE!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say
it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 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.
(Philippians 4:4-9)
There are times when I don’t feel I can
rejoice, because I am overwhelmed… I don’t have time… or I just plain forget.
What a waste! Being anxious accomplished nothing. Believe me… I’ve had years of
experience to prove it! But slowly I am learning to refocus. Instead of
allowing myself to be overwhelmed by the “stressful” situation before me – I’ve
learned to do exactly what this verse tells us. Bring it to God in prayer. Look
for things to be thankful for. Seek the peace of God (and accept it when it’s
offered to you!). The big thing is… take your eyes off of yourself and look to
God.
Every exam I walk into (probably the most stressful aspect of my life these days) I write the words “Be still and know” (from Psalm 46:10) on my wrist. It is SO easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of emotions, anxiety and fear when you open that 20-page exam and there are very few questions you feel confident in answering. But I am prepared for every exam I walk into. I’ve attended classes, I’ve studied my brains out. I really have nothing to be anxious about. In the moment these things are sometimes hard to remember… which is why those words are written on my wrist. And I kid you not – the peace of God… it covers me.
It is so easy to let our minds wander to fears, impurity, anxiety, anger, frustration… and I love the final paragraph in this passage. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy… those are the things we are to think about and focus out hearts on. We are to put into practice what we have learned from and seen in Christ. THAT is when the peace of God will reside and remain in our hearts and minds. That is when we conform to the image and likeness of Christ.
Every exam I walk into (probably the most stressful aspect of my life these days) I write the words “Be still and know” (from Psalm 46:10) on my wrist. It is SO easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of emotions, anxiety and fear when you open that 20-page exam and there are very few questions you feel confident in answering. But I am prepared for every exam I walk into. I’ve attended classes, I’ve studied my brains out. I really have nothing to be anxious about. In the moment these things are sometimes hard to remember… which is why those words are written on my wrist. And I kid you not – the peace of God… it covers me.
It is so easy to let our minds wander to fears, impurity, anxiety, anger, frustration… and I love the final paragraph in this passage. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy… those are the things we are to think about and focus out hearts on. We are to put into practice what we have learned from and seen in Christ. THAT is when the peace of God will reside and remain in our hearts and minds. That is when we conform to the image and likeness of Christ.
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