Stress

Today, Lee needs prayer. Yesterday he told me how overwhelmed he felt by the huge task of bringing the worship band up to speed. They are not musicians, and there are egos ripe for bruising. Plus, Lee doesn't like them. He feels he jumped into a time-consuming ministry that he hasn't enjoyed and doesn't expect to any time soon. Like me, Lee gets short of breath when he is anxious. How alike we are!

Lord, it is Your worship band, and Lee is Your child. You use all things for good for those who love You and are called to Your purpose. It's frustrating when we're trying to discern Your purpose. Is Lee meant to do this? Is he just reacting to being thrust into a situation that makes him uncomfortable?


I pray that You would move in this situation in some palpable way. So many things could happen--new musicians? I don't know, and my mind isn't nearly equipped to imagine what You can do. I only pray that You (a) give Lee a sense of peace that he is in the right place and (b) maneuver the situation to glorify Yourself. The worship band is, after all, an instrument to glorify You! This prayer must be within Your will--that You will be glorified through Lee's effort. 


I pray for our family dog. I'm up to my ears in dog research--goldendoodles and labradoodles, oodles and oodles and oodles. I am enchanted by mini labradoodles but put off by the exorbitant price. Yesterday, I saw an adorable "poodle mix" on a rescue site. Is this the family dog that You have for us? If so, would you please ease the way for us to adopt him? And warn me if it's a big mistake?


My shortness of breath continues. I think of the verse we just memorized: "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) So this body of mine is prone to the physical symptoms of anxiety. I have to live in this body, and deal with these symptoms, but I don't have to worry about them. My malfunctioning body is just part of the broken world I live in. I can do my best to alleviate my symptoms, and I can focus on You. 


I pray for Aunt Terri, who is going through a hard time at work, and who is considering where to retire. Lord, if she decides to move to Roswell, please equip me to be kind and caring and helpful. 


I pray for Sara to have an experience with Jesus by February 5, and I pray that You would show me an opportunity to write a book that glorifies You by September 2011.


In Your son's name, I pray.
Amen