be anxious for nothing

Anxiety. It is horrible, isn’t it?

It can strike at the most awful moments. It keeps you up at nigh

t and haunts your waking hours. Many home school mamma's feel this anxiety. The dread that they are not fulfilling the role of parent/teacher enough. Worse, that they are doing more damage than good in their child’s education.

To well, I remember when I began homeschooling. My husband had faith in my skills, but I was the one alone with them all day! I felt completely ill prepared for the task at hand and had plenty of people who agreed with that notion. It sent me to my knees. Prayer and research; late nights and early mornings.

The Bible tells us to be “be anxious for nothing” but is that realistic? Anyone else struggle with that? Perhaps a total reading of the Scripture is in order:

Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

(Philippians 4:5-8, BSB)

Look at the process. First, the Scripture calls us to be “gentle”. This can also be translated to “patient” (eSword) but who should we be patient with? I suggest that sometimes we have more patience for others than we do for ourselves. We may also lack patience for our circumstances. If we are gentle or patient with others more than with ourselves, what does that say about our faith? Remember that God is developing us right along with our children. Do not rely on your own strength. God tells us to rely on Him (Proverbs 3:5). Part of that reliance is exercising patience in life circumstances. God desires that we look to Him for everything, that is why His next words should comfort.

Second, note the reminder that “the Lord is near”. In this, we can be certain, God will be with us through whatever our current struggle is and if we seek him with our whole heart, we will find him (Jeremiah 29:13). He will guide us through the struggle. It is in this that we can join Paul in the assertion that we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8 & 9, NIV). This underlines that God is with us in it. He isn’t a deity that looks down on high watching our struggles. God has promised us through Jesus that he will never leave us (Heb. 13:5).

Third, God tells us to be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God (vs.6). let’s look at some of these words – anxious for nothing; the absence of anxiety, but what is in its place? Prayer and petition. When we take our cares, worries, and anxieties to God, have you ever noticed that they seem to melt away? The situation may not have changed but our attitude about the situation has changed! Why? Because we have presented our concern to God. Did you notice the formula? Prayer about EVERYTHING with THANKSGIVING. Another words, nothing is too big or small, God wants to hear it all and for our focus to be on gratitude. We know that we know that we know that God is *present. That God *is listening and that God * cares about our issue. When we pray with the confidence that this knowledge brings it transforms our mindset.

Finally, we read the final point; the whatever verse. God tells us to focus on:

. Have you ever noticed that your attitude depends on what takes up space in your mind? The mind can create tunnel vision where are you see is your present circumstances. Ever been there? I know I have. It’s a terrible hopeless place. The enemy would love to see every one of us living there; impotent, defeated (1 Peter 5:8). God tells us that through Him, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

Learning to focus on Christ first has helped me remain confident through my homeschooling career. It is a life principle that I have learned to lean on. It has cleared my vision to research effectively for my children’s unique educational needs. But more than that, it has enabled me to realize that I am doing more than simply educating. I am establishing the next generation in a firm foundation of Christ (Psalm 1:3). Dig deep with your children. It’s worth the effort.

eSword is a free download that is available here:

https://www.e-sword.net/downloads.html