Stress Buster - Lynne Phipps

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5,6 NIV

My Irish Setter, Ruby, suffers anxiety in any unfamiliar situation. Seeing her transform from her exuberant, happy self into a quaking, shaking mess grieves me. She often needs a stress buster. 

Anxiety is not only limited to dogs, however. We humans also have our share of anxious moments. I had one once when I traded my car for a different model. Just thinking about the decision and all it entailed set my insides quivering. What if I spent all that money and got a lemon. What would I do then? How would I afford the repairs on my fixed income?  What if, what if whirled around in my head.

Finally, I did make a choice, but my anxiety level remained high as I repeatedly went over my decision, hoping it was a good one. As so often happens, God dealt with my anxiety by prompting me to go for a walk. As I walked, I realized I needed to review my decision step by step. Had I prayed for wisdom and guidance? Yes. Did I receive peace to move forward? Yes. Did the dealership I chose have a good reputation? Yes. Had I calculated my finances before entering into the deal? Check. Had I involved others who could help me think rationally and wisely about such a major purchase? Yes. 

In light of my review, I needed to make another decision. Would I trust that God had given me guidance and wisdom through each step of my decision? Further, if future problems with the vehicle arose, did I think he would guide me through them and supply all my needs? Or would I doubt and continue to be like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind? 

I chose the stress buster of belief and kept choosing it whenever my mind sought to return to doubting. By doing so, my anxiety was relieved, and I began to enjoy my new vehicle, for which I am truly thankful.

How about you? Any stressful, anxiety-ridden situations in your life today? If so, ask God for wisdom to deal with them. Then, trust the wisdom He gives, for it’s a stress buster that will not fail.

Lord God, thank you that I can count on your wisdom, which you give generously to all who ask. Empower me by your Holy Spirit to trust that wisdom, which can burst my stress levels and bind me to anxiety. In Christ’s name, amen.

Tweetable: What is your stress buster? 

Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country. She has been writing devotions for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God. Lynne is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More.

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