By Siana Emery, a junior English major from North Yarmouth, Maine
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
“Do not worry about anything.” That’s easier said than done.
I’m a worrier. A chronic worrier, at that. I worry about most things. My worries agitate me, they make me restless, they fill me with anxiety. Despite my best efforts, it’s nearly impossible to not worry about anything.
This past year has been full of personal trials — physically, emotionally, socially, etc. This is not to mention the divided state of our nation and the increasingly worrying state of our environment. Through this time, there have been many moments when I’ve felt overwhelmed and consumed by it all.
We all want peace in our lives, but we rarely take the time to welcome it. It’s so easy to focus only on what’s going wrong, instead of what’s also going right. But by God’s grace, there can be peace found even in the most unexpected, worry-filled places. In every day, there is both a rose and a thorn.
Through this past year, I’ve started to try to appreciate the moments of peace in each day. I send my worries as requests to God in prayer, and then thank God for the small beauties — the magical feeling of snow falling slowly at night, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, the way lights on a Christmas tree illuminate a room.
While it may be impossible to truly not worry about anything, I think I’m right in saying that we can all welcome more moments of gentleness and peace. Take a deep breath, find comfort in God’s presence, and thank God for what is going right in your life.
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.