A Happy Heart

The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.  (Phil. 4:6-7)

My mom Skype-messaged this passage to me today.

God is in control.  God has my life in his hands.  God knows the future.  God is all-good, all-loving, all-knowing, and all-powerful.  God loves me.  God takes care of all my needs.

Money is just money.  Things are just things.  They have little to no eternal significance--but the way they are used does have eternal significance.  What am I putting my trust in?  How am I using the gifts God has given me?   He is faithful.  He is gracious.

Worrying does nothing.  Fretting does nothing.  Being afraid does nothing.  Fear, worry, are of the Enemy.  Trust, comfort, peace are of God.

I am blessed.  I have so much.  There is so much to be thankful for.  My mom wrote, "Thanksgiving is the antidote to worry...the source of peace."  It's hard to be worried when I'm thanking God for what he's already given me.  And there's a lot to thank Him for!

I love and am loved by the most wonderful man on earth.  I could not ask for more in a husband.  I have parents--two sets, basically! :)--who love me dearly.  I have grandparents who treat me like their daughter, loving me and being generous with me.  I have a home, clothes, plenty of food every day.

I remember the Veggie Tales episode about Madame Blueberry--the blueberry who had every thing she wanted, but she was still sad because she didn't understand thankfulness.  She learned a very important lesson:  "A thankful heart is a happy heart."

By God's grace, I have a happy heart.  :)