Why do we worry, when we are connected to a God that is limitless in strength and power? Are we allowing the symptoms of our problems to control our minds, while we completely forget about the God that lives within us? In Philippians 4:6-7, we read…“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
 
When we face a problem head on; it seems as though the first thing we do is begin to worry and fret.  We need to remember that worry is a negative feeling and it does not come from God. Worry is only going to cause us to sink further into the muck and mire of despair…because with every negative thought we produce; we are not only stopping the power of God in our lives but we are opening a door to evil, that says…“Come on in and continue from where you left off.”
 
In these verses, God is asking us to turn our worry into prayer. When we can leave the thoughts of worry behind, to have a good talk with God; then we are going to stop the power of evil, from continually leading us into needless suffering. God doesn’t want us to think about our problems but rather, He longs for us to present our problems to Him; so He can begin to work, on what has been broken.
 
The only way we are going to experience true peace; is when we come into the presence of God and give Him everything that is weighing us down, rather than holding tightly to it, as though it’s become our security blanket.
 
We need to remember that God is stronger and can handle our weaknesses…above and beyond, what we could ever comprehend. We are always going to face problems in our lives because we live in an imperfect world; but how we handle them, will either allow us to suffer more or experience an eternal peace that can only come from Jesus Christ!
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How often do we reflect on the comforting words of Psalm 23? Sometimes, I think we just need a reminder that God is always there for us…to comfort…guide us and protect us, as we walk through each moment, of each day.  Let’s read Psalm 23, which says… “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
 
 
The words in this psalm can be a reminder to us that God is always with us…no matter what we may face. When we choose to turn to God, rather than the problems that surround us from day to day; then He becomes the great shepherd that cares for our every need. When we are completely trusting in Him and resting in His arms of love and mercy; then we will never have any need of anything because He will be there to provide and make a way, as we turn to Him, as our source of help.
 
This psalm also gives us hope; that whenever we feel stressed or overwhelmed by the things that go on throughout our day; that we can rest in the green pastures that allow us to experience the quiet waters of His eternal peace.  God becomes the One who restores our soul, when we are weak and brought low, by the blow of each circumstance. He will cradle us in His loving arms and heal the hurt that was brought about, through the trying times in our lives and He will not only restore the things that have been broken but He will place us on the right path that will allow us to walk in His righteous ways, rather than finding ourselves on some detour road…led by evil.
 
We may face times, when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. This road may be the result of losing someone close to us but I also believe that this road can represent a dark place of despair. God never promised that life would be easy but He did say that He would walk with us, through these dark moments and when we come to acknowledge His loving presence, while walking down a dark and lonely pathway, then His love will conquer the fear that comes about through these difficult times.
 
As we walk this journey towards Heaven, we may also face difficult battles, brought on by the enemy but even though God may allow these moments to enter our lives, they are not meant to harm us but rather, they are there to strengthen us. When we allow God to become the mighty warrior that defends us, during times of affliction, rather than trying to defend ourselves, then we will experience the complete fullness of a God, who will never fail us or forsake us.
 
Days can be filled with all kinds of obstacles but when we remain committed to the One who lives within our hearts; then His goodness will conquer and overcome each obstacle we face and in the end, we will experience His loving presence, as we dwell with Him for all of eternity…in a place where no pain and heartache will ever exist again.
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​Are we remaining in the dark, with a circumstance that has been targeted, as a means of destruction? Have we made ourselves prey to the works of darkness, by choosing to not seek the light of God’s presence, during these difficult times? In Ephesians 5:13-14, we read…“But everything exposed to the light becomes visible, (14) for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said; “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
 
As we begin today, let’s ask ourselves a question… how do we expose a dark circumstance, so it can be destroyed, through the light of God’s presence?  I think the first thing we need to do, is quit running from reality. Many times we do not want to face a problem because it will only be one more painful thing to deal with but we must remember that while we are escaping reality…nothing is able to be repaired within our lives. First, we must acknowledge to God; that we not only need His help but that we are also willing to lay everything before Him; so He can begin the work that He longs to do within our lives.
 
The second thing I think we do…is that we allow the circumstance to have control over us, through our actions. In other words…we tend to get angry or allow frustration and anxiety to become road blocks, so God can’t work. Do we realize what this is doing to us? When we react in this way; then we are only allowing ourselves to remain trapped within the presence of darkness. When we can rise above the problem, by searching God’s word, for the answers that can counsel us; then we will be able to deal with the problem and find the strength to work side by side with God, until the problem is resolved.
 
The minute we come to grips, with what is happening in our lives, then we can expose it and allow Satan to see that his power is not able to rise above the power of a great and mighty God. When we choose to bring a problem or situation into the light of God’s presence; then it’s as if we have entered the light with the problem and once the light of God’s presence touches our spirits, the darkness is no longer seen and the problem that once had control over our lives…now becomes powerless.

Do you know that there is no place, where we can be hidden from the loving and compassionate eyes of God? Our circumstances have a way of convincing us; that God has either walked away from us or doesn’t seem to care. We can even be convinced that God will never find us, in the midst of what we see, as the darkest circumstance ever; but in Psalm 139:7-12, we read… “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
 
Nothing can hide us from the presence, of a God who is much more powerful, than any circumstance we may face. No matter where we are in life…God is there...no matter what we may be struggling with at the time.
 
In my life, there were many times, when I felt as if God couldn’t find me, in all the foggy moments of circumstance. It seemed as though my problems had convinced me; that I was buried within a deep fog…where God’s light would never be able to penetrate these moments, and help me.
 
It was during one specific moment in my life, when I was truly experiencing these foggy moments; that God began to show me that I was too caught up in the fog…to even know that the light of His presence was there with me. Finally, I learned that I needed to look above the fog, rather than into the denseness of the fog…to find Him…and as I looked up…it was as though the light of His presence began to shine through.
 
We must remember that what seems to be dark and dreary to us; is not to God…for what we perceive, as a dark circumstance; isn’t darkness to Him at all. We must also remember that wherever we are…or no matter what we are facing at the time; God’s presence will always be able to find us.
 
Today, we need to quit listening to the voice of our circumstance and start believing these truths that we find in God’s word. When we come to accept God, for who He truly is; then we will also come to accept that He is there…always watching over every little thing that concerns us!
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