In thinking about our callings over the last couple weeks I have come to believe that it is extremely difficult to keep my calling in front of me everyday. I don’t know about you, but when I wake up, I am still tired and sometimes the challenges of the day seem daunting.

Usually it goes like this: 1. The problem that I am about to face is consuming my thoughts. 2. I think about what is the worse case scenario if this problem blows up on me. 3. I think about how bad I am going to look when this happens. 4. I think about how I am going to explain this to my wife when the worse happens. 5. Oh, I may then present this to God in a desperate prayer that sounds more like begging than anything else.

If you are like me in this area, I want to challenge you (as I challenge myself) this week to think differently! I ask that if this is a problem for you that you join me in praying Philippians 4:4-7 frequently this week. “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.”

Wow!! I know I have read this verse many times, but the fullness of it is just now starting to sink in to my thick skull!! This verse is so opposite of how I usually deal with anxiety in my life. I want to experience the “peace of God which transcends all understanding”! And to do that, I must start thinking differently! Instead of focusing on the daunting challenge ahead of me and how badly it could turn out, I need to focus on the promise that God made. If I trust in Him and lean not on my own understanding but submit to Him, He will make my paths straight. (see Proverbs 3:5,6)

I have written this verse on a notecard so I can have it handy and think about it often this week. If you feel so inclined, join me as we dig into this message! I would love to hear from you as you do. Let’s train ourselves to think differently.

More to come,
Jeremy