Why Anxiety is NOT paralyzing in Christ

This morning was a trial... I was stressed about almost everything that crossed my mind.

I wanted to be God, to have control over being a good piano teacher, having a love life exactly the way I think it would be good, being able to help as much as I think is needed at home, having easy and refreshing relationships at home.

God has me in different situations than those. He has me falling short of my expectations in teaching piano, doesn't have me in a relationship, is putting people that I don't know and can't know right now into my life, is only having me able to do the surface things that need to be done at home while other things go undone, and he's allowing the relationships with much of my family and many friends to be either hard, strained, or almost non-existent.

I was feeling anxious this morning. I had a head-ache, and I want even now to let life get me down.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every circumstance for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
[1 thess. 5:16-18]
If I'm worried about being a good piano teacher, instead of simply doing my best with joy, it's pride. Lord forgive me of my pride. You are my identity and the reason I can do my best in You.

If I'm worried about my love life it's because I'm believing that God is not GOD, and is not a good ruler over this area of my life. He is a good ruler, and He is ordaining every minute. That's pride as well.

If I'm worried about not getting things done at home, it's because I'm believing that I should have more time than God has given me to do more. He hasn't. He's given me the time that I have and I am only expected to do what is 'reasonable.'

If I'm worried about my relationships being hard, it's because I believe I deserve for them to be easy. God has given me my lot, and the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.

Ashley, ______, [reader]
The LORD has given you all things that you need right now. The only important thing is that you remember who you are in Christ- forgiven, and sealed with the HOPE of heaven. You are called in this life to share this joy, share this hope of salvation. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart- HE has overcome the world. He is working all things according to the purpose of His will, and He will be glorified in His every step in your sanctification. He has ordained even this morning to rearrange your mindset so that first, you are rejoicing that all you are called to in this world is to represent Christ, in everything you, even in weaknesses and failures, His power WILL BE made perfect in You.

He is rejoicing over His SAINTS even now, by the blood of Christ.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

...

The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep you life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore. [ps. 121]