How’d you sleep last night? Tossing and turning perhaps? Watching that clock move ahead at an agonizingly slow pace? Was it pain, worry or a sense of deep loneliness? If you were blessed with hours of peaceful quiet rest, perhaps you can skip this one today . . . but I’ll take a guess that I’m not the only one who finds some nights very long indeed.

Anxiety frequently journeys along with us. Sometimes we worry about a specific concern. Sometimes we just feel apprehensive or fretful. Sometimes our spirits sink into the pits. When we feel anxious, we just don’t feel in control. Ah, there’s the rub – we’re never really the ones “in control” of our lives.

We’ve heard the message repeatedly through the years: trust in the Lord with all Thy heart, lean not unto thine own understanding. But in our human weakness, the anxiety seeps back in. Our focus wanders away from our Savior and back to within ourselves. Time and again we need to return to our Lord with a trusting heart. It sounds so easy, but sometimes it’s so hard. Oh, if only I could do it just once and for all! But it doesn’t work that way. As the old gospel hymn says, “I need Thee every hour!”

“I need thee, oh I need thee
           Every hour I need thee
           Oh bless me now my Savior
           I come to thee.”
                     Songwriters Ernest J. Ford and Harry Geller

Remember God is ready to calm our fears, if only we turn to him and ask. He loves us, even when we’re filled with pain, anxiety and loneliness. He loves us in the daylight and in the long hours of darkest night. He has promised that we would never be alone.

He loves you today. He loves you tonight. He loves you always.  He loves you unconditionally!

Judy

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.” Philippians 4:6-7