August 2015

From Steve’s Desk:
As we approach the beginning of school in a few short weeks, I am reminded of my own feelings of despair as a child when the reality of school’s beginning was looming. I so dreaded the start of school regardless of how bored I was at home. I just didn’t like to begin a new year. I guess it was apprehension centered on starting something new and the unknown of change. But, I would trudge through and after a few days, I was back into the swing of a routine and eager to face the challenges that came with it. Today, I still get a little anxious when starting something new, but I have learned to use that anxiousness and turn it into excitement.

Paul says in Philippians 4:6(NIV) “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” If worry and anxiety enter our lives at young ages, then we need to be learning and teaching that God is in control at young ages. Building our faith in this truth does take effort and trust and the earlier we learn that God is in control, the more peace we will find in the face of not just in facing new things, but also in difficult times as well.

We are never too young or old to learn to trust God. The earlier we learn to give our anxieties to Him the more peaceful life will be. Let’s be reminded of I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” This is something I need to be reminded of daily. I also need to trust God that when I do give it to Him, I shouldn’t take it back. He cares for us and doesn’t want us to worry, fret, be anxious because that steal from us. They take away our peace and joy and leave despair.

Whether it is the beginning of school, or in the face of a difficulty or unknown, we can fear no evil. Why? Remember this quote: “Because thy rod and thy staff comfort me.” Let God give peace and comfort to us in our time of need. Give our worry and anxiety to Him. He’s just a prayer away!