Philippians 4 Reminder

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let you reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." ~ Philippians 4: 4-8

Yesterday, I was encouraged by my mother-in-law to read Philippians 4. She had been reading it that morning and was blessed by the Lord in some amazing ways (both spiritually and physcially). As I meditated on this chapter, again these particualr verses stuck in my mind. Why, you may ask? Because controlling my thought life, particularly the area of worrying, is a never- ending task it seems in my life. My dear husband is always reminding me of these verses and sadly I don't always appreciate the reproof. However, we are commanded in the Word of God to Rejoice in the Lord. Not just when our lives are going great and according to *our* plans, but also when things arn't happening in the way we see fit. God has given to us a means to achieving peace when we feel like there can be none....prayer. We are to not be anxious but instead bring our prayers and petitions to God who alone can give us the peace that passes all understanding. As we surrender to Him, He gives us the peace and guards our hearts and our minds. As we surrender this control, we too need to yeild the determination to take our thoughts captive and focus on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, praiseworthy and excellent. And who would give us the ability to do that? Again, our great and awesome God. Everytime I think that *I* have to do something (now I am not discounting our responsibility), I realize that He is the one who provides the grace to do what pleases Him. I cannot do it by willing it myself...He alone can give the strength.

I am seeing that I must focus on these thoughts alot in the days and weeks ahead. I am nearing the point where I delivered our precious Lillian. While my blood pressure is still behaving itself as of now, my body still is not responding to this pregnancy in a completely positive way...I do have gestational diabetes. So, I am meeting with a dietician tomorrow and will also meet with a diabetic counselor (or something like that) sometime as well so that I can get this blood sugar thing under control. My initial reaction is " if it's not one thing, it's another". Sometimes, in my mind, I am questioning why? Why do I continually have problem after problem in my pregnancies? Why can't things just go normally and not add more stress to my life? But, then agian I am reminded that I need to not worry but turst in the fact that all things are working out in my life for my good and ultimately for the Glory of the Lord. I am realizing that I must remember that above all things. He is doing it for His glory...and I am amazed that He would even chose me for that honor. So while in my flesh I am not thrilled about this latest complication, I am most grateful for His soverignty and ask that you would pray with me that God will be glorified throughout the remainder of this pregnancy.