Spacious Lily Pads

Hey bloggers...what's happening?!

Hope you're have a good Tuesday, and that you have a lot planned for the day. I've got some fun plans today....I'm meeting Alyssa to start getting ready for a bible study this summer. After (much) debate about where we are going to meet, it's good to finally have plans so we can start talking about 1 Peter.

1 Peter is one of my favorite books in the Bible, because it's always so encouraging, even in the deepest, darkest of times. My favorite verse, which I'm pretty sure I've told you guys about before, is 1 Peter 5:7, which is "Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you."

This verse never fails to remind me of the entire reason I am existing and moving forward and making changes. Because no matter what anxiety builds its wall against me, God is going to be there. And not because He has to, or because it is an obligation, but God promises to hold our fears and worries because-get this-He LOVES us. He doesn't like us, He isn't mildly fond of us...He loves us. Even when we feel unlovable. Even when it's hard to love ourselves.

Love from God isn't a cover-up. It isn't a momentary feel-good that takes away our anxiety long enough to let us breathe and then He says 'time-up'. God's love, and God's stability is unfailing, never-ending, amazing and overpowering, and above all things. All things.

All.

Have you ever felt lost with all the things that need to be done or that have been done or the things that are going to happen? God tells us that all of it can be gone if we give it away. We can freely give God whatever is on our heart, and if we learn to trust in Him and trust that he knows what he's doing, well...then all our anxieties become less overwhelming.

Trusting in God is, for something so simple, a little difficult sometimes. We hold onto life with both hands, knuckles white as we cling for dear life. But God will always be there to say, "I've got this. I've got you covered." Why? Because He loves us. How encouraging is that?

If you trust in God, you can have sound assurance that your life will not be for nothing. God will work all things towards goodness in ways we could never imagine. So don't hold on to fears and doubts and struggles and anxiety....give it to God. He wants to take it from you.

I hope that you can remember that today. That you can just remember, if nothing else, that God loves you SO MUCH for who you are, and nothing else. He loves you so much that He is willing to take on whatever you are facing. Not only is He willing, but He is perfectly able. Because our God is an awesome God.

I love you guys, too, my spacious lily pads, and I hope you have an excellent day.