November 19, 2009, "Fretting and Stressing"

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
~ II Timothy 1:7 NKJV ~

Frantically looking for the folded envelope. The fearful thoughts, "Did I throw it away?" "Did it fall out of my purse?"

Looking all through the house; in cupboards, drawers, dressers, trash cans. It even went as far as my friend, Breckin digging through the outside trash can with me. Bless her heart.

I would pray real quick, yet was frantic, fretting, stressing, my head was filling up with a cold, coughing and tired. I thought, "My husband is going to get so upset with me."

I walked back into the house after digging into the trash. I must have had the look of despair as my husband was in the kitchen preparing dinner.

He called out to me and said in a calming voice, "Teresa, just walk away from it for a while."

I was upset.

I said, "Tim, you know me; I can't just stop thinking about this; I'm feeling paralyzed, this is a very important envelope."

He said, "Teresa, come here. Have you prayed?"

I said, "Of course I've prayed."

He said, "OK, Teresa, calm down, it's OK. You will find it."

He pulled me into his chest, wrapped his arms around me as my face was smashed and squished against his chest. I had literally just fallen into his embrace; limp as though I said, "I hand over the stress to you Lord."

My husband prayed, "Lord, I thank you that you know where this envelope is that Teresa has misplaced. Lord, please remove any obstacles in her mind that would cause her to forget. Lord, we thank you that it is done. In Yeshua's (Jesus) Name I pray. Amen."

I gave him a big hug and told him thank you for praying.

I walked away, went upstairs and suddenly a 'picture' popped into my mind. A picture of my Bible. I ran down the stairs, grabbed the Bible, opened it up and there it was!

I could have melted as the stress, anxiety and fretting fell off of me. Hallelujah!

I shouted, "Tim! Thank you for praying for me, God helped me find it! Thank You Lord!"

As he always says, "Teresa, just thank the Lord as the Holy Spirit showed you where it was."

At that moment, I was reminded of the gift of praise unto God that I did not utilize. As panic was readily available, I fell into the 'pit' as it gobbled me up leaving bruises from the kicks and hits of fear, doubt, confusion and panic. It started to choke me out of my ability to think clearly. I am reminded of that scripture that says, "For God has not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, love and a sound mind."

Today, may we be reminded that when we choose Him; we choose peace, joy, love and power. It is so difficult at times; yet when we praise Him, whether we feel like it or not; we will see the results of who He is; no matter the outcome.

Fall into His arms as He brings you in, and just allow His embrace to carry you through with His awesome grace.