Confession

Philippians 4:6-8, 9b

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 hears & 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.

9b ...and the God of Peace will be with you.

Confession:

I've failed miserably at becoming a Christ-like woman since... well, a long time.

I have not pursued the Lord on my own.

You know, like, opening my Bible outside of church to see what's inside? To hear from the Lord?

I have worked on becoming a better person, but not a woman of Christ. And those two look deceivingly similar- but one is empty, full of thinking good thoughts and becoming a good person... and the other is full, lathered with joy from Jesus and peace in all circumstances.

After a week of anxious dreams, months of fighting unwarranted bitterness & anger bubbling inside, and a few days of intense frustration, I desperately needed my Bible like a glass of water on a hot day. There was nothing else that could possibly fill that void.

First, I had to find my Bible. And once it was in my hands I read multiple passages regarding anxiety/anxious/anxiousness. This one from Philippians hit home.

Hopeful it will be a drink of water on a hot day for you too.

Philippians 4:6-8, 9b

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 hears & 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.

9b ...and the God of Peace will be with you.

So here's to a new year full of pursuing the Lord on our own and becoming more like him. Not just a thinner, stronger version of ourselves. Although that's not too bad either ;)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige