Refocus your faith by giving up control - Devotional Day 8

I want us to think about is how we try to live days ahead. It is so hard for us to be in the present and really enjoy the moments with our families or friends because we are so concerned with the future or what if questions. We are again overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, spiraling, or angry. Gods word tells us "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" Matthew 7:34 When we begin to carry the burdens of next week, next month, tomorrow and then carry todays burdens, everything begins to feel so heavy. But here Jesus tells us to stop. Stop worrying about what is going to happen, stop making scenarios in your head, stop spiraling down negative thought patterns. You're probably thinking "How am I supposed to do that? I can't control what I think about" While that is somewhat true, you can control how long you think about something, the way it affect you, and the way you will give it up and give it to God. Through the Holy Spirits help, the amount of time you dwell on something becomes shorter and shorter. It's about intentionality and how you will capture those actions and thoughts. 

If God feeds the birds, dresses the flowers so beautifully, what makes you think he won't take care of your worries and desires? He loves you so much more than he loves the birds and the flowers. Of course he's going to provide for you. He gives us freewill to choose whether we will be in control or allow him to work in our lives. This happens by meditating on his word, living a prayer filled life, and experiencing his joy. You have to saturate yourself into his presence so that you can have that constant reminder of "Gods got me". In the Old Testament, God instructs his people to gather bread enough for that day, there was to be none left over for next days. This was done so that his people, even us today, can rely on him daily. It'd be nice to have everything set up for the next months and even years, to know exactly how something was going to turn out. But God says, rely on me daily, and daily I will provide. 

Memory Verse
Matthew 7:33-34 

But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

Prayer
Heavenly Father, today I am thankful for your guidance, your word, and your daily provision. Today I want to depend on you. I want to seek you and put you in the middle of my heart. I pray that you heal my heart, make my heart full, and fill me with your unexplainable joy and presence. I know that you provide for me daily, and sometimes in the middle of the chaos I forget to acknowledge that. I forget that I can breathe today because you love me, I can eat because you provide for me. Remind me Lord, that the food you provide is more than physical, it is also spiritual. Where I can experience you and your love. Be with me today, give me the heart to let go of the things I cannot control. I give them to you today Lord and I know you will always provide my needs. I love you, and I am so thankful for all you have done and all you will do in my life. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.