My husband has been laid off for three weeks. For the past two Fridays, he and I have gotten out on the river in our boat to do a little fishing. Last week we both did fairly well. We took 8 fish home (4 each) and threw several back. This week was different. Although Jeff was catching a few, I wasn’t having much luck. Then I realized I was fishing without bait. I had plenty of stink bait (we’re catfishing), but we left home too early…before I had done my devotion. After a while (a few hours) of only one small catch, I told Jeff I was ready to give up for the day. He said, “Where’s your faith today? Didn’t you bring it with you?” I always have my faith, but my day was off because I didn’t spend the time I need on a daily basis with the Holy Spirit. That was it. No, I don’t believe God “punished” me with one small catch because I didn’t spend my time with him, but my day was off because I didn’t start it right. I might as well have been fishing without bait. So I put my pole down, opened my Bible in the back of the boat and thanked God for the beautiful day, this special time with my husband, and for the reminder that the time I give to Him in the morning is for me.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “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 minds in Christ Jesus.” I wasn’t worried that I wasn’t catching fish this morning. Although I joke about it being a competition between Jeff and I, we really just enjoy the time together, regardless of who catches the most. This morning, though, I was off my game. I know it. I need my time with God every day. I can’t say I am never “anxious about anything”, but there is a significant difference to how my day goes with devotion first thing in the morning. Today, like other times I have thought I could just do it later, I just find myself remembering why it is that I do it before dawn. When I begin to get anxious or feel things aren’t quite right, I get into prayer and suddenly my heart and mind settle and my day moves forward in a much more peaceful way.
My study in the boat this morning led me to be reminded that God’s peace is different than the world’s peace. True peace isn’t found in positive thinking, good feelings, or in absence of conflict. It comes from knowing God is in control and I don’t have to be. God’s peace guards my heart against anxiety. I just need to allow him the time to do it.
danacox31 
Leave a Reply