Prayer Before Panic

​Is there ever a reason for a Christian to panic? You know, have a little freak out moment when there is an abrupt change in circumstances or when we receive bad news? Well, of course the short answer is no. Scripture is clear that God is in control of everything. Here are a few of many verses….
 
That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things. Isaiah 45:6-7

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Psalm 115:3

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.Psalms 103:19

Is there anything we can really control? As a mom, I try to control it all; I feel I must some days. But I can’t. No one can.  Obviously, free will allows us to make choices, but who provides the options to begin with?
When a recent financial change smacked me in the face, I’m not going to lie, I panicked! I mean, I did the whole ugly crying, shaking, whining, “why me” nutty. It was not pretty. This seemingly insurmountable problem was like Mount Everest staring me down. How on earth can I do this? How can I possibly scale this one? After I gained my composure, I remembered to pray. OK, OK, I know that should have been my first response! But like so many other times, I forgot. I forgot how God has brought me this far. And He did not bring me this far to leave me alone. I was reminded to turn around and look back; to survey the mountain range behind me. My life, my trials, my joys are all there. I scaled those mountains, I walked through those valleys. And I did not do it alone. Nor will I climb this one alone. This mountain ....it seems so big as it is so close to me right now. As I look back though, my perspective changes. Those mountains behind me aren’t nearly as tall or are the valleys as deep as they seemed at the time. So too will this mountain shrink as it becomes part of the tapestry of my life. God is faithful. He’s given me assurance in His Word. His power, the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, lives in me! With that, I am fearless! So the panic I felt was replaced with peace, the tears with prayer, the crying with praise, and my fear with hope. Now I can approach the issue with clarity, discernment and confidence knowing He enables me. He sustains me. And He will guide me all the days of my life.
 
This life is temporary. Sweating the small stuff really does rob us of our joy. I hope to remember to pray before I panic next time. And I pray the same for you.