Has this ever happened to you?

Have you ever awakened with so many cares that you couldn't go back to sleep? Being a natural worrier, I am really good at worrying. I know I shouldn't. I don't want to do it, but it happens more than I care to admit.

The other morning, I awoke several hours before the alarm. My mind was full of worry for others. One I already knew was going to be ok, but the devil came at me with the fears of 'what if'. Another, I didn't have any idea if it would ever work out with a happy ending for this person. These led into concern for lots of people with sicknesses, no jobs, and many other issues. I even worried about worrying. On and on it went until I felt weighted down onto my bed.

So, I got up and prayed. I prayed for each issue and each person. I asked God to help me to have faith enough to know that He was in control. I prayed until His holy peace washed over me, washing all of those fears, worries, and concerns away from me. Do I know how everything will work out in all of those situations? No. But, I know the One who will be with them and us through it all.

Then, something else happened. What I attribute to worry, may not always be so. God gave me this heart - a caring heart. I think He places these people and concerns on my heart, not so I worry about them because He and I both know that I can't fix it all. But rather, so that I will entrust them to Him.

He is peace. He will share that peace with us if we entrust our burdens and cares to Him. He will grant us that calm assurance. He is with us and in control.

Here's to a peaceful new year!