When You Can't Square Dance
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 CSB
Voters in a town in Vermont decided to do something out of the ordinary to combat the stress they were feeling over the recent election. They held a square dance. On the floor above where people were voting at the local town hall, more than 100 people were swinging their partners round and round. They also enjoyed a potluck meal together.
One participant said, “This, to me, is the only way that I can survive this night,"… “And we’re laughing and we’re dancing and we’re eating each other’s food, and that’s all that matters right now. Right? I mean we may be going to hell in a hand basket tomorrow, but who knows?”
While it appears that these folks enjoyed a wonderful evening, they really didn't deal with their anxiety and stress. They simply distracted themselves from it. When the dance was over, they had to return to their regular lives.
So, what do you do when you can't square dance your worries away? You take them to the Father. Paul writes to the Philippian believers and tells them not to worry about anything. But he doesn't stop there; he tells them how to overcome worrying - pray, give thanks, and then ask God to handle the matter. Doing so will allow God to provide us with His peace and guard our hearts and minds from worry.
Don't just leave your cares on the dance floor; leave them with the Father.
Heavenly Father, I feel like worrying about a lot of things in my life today. Instead, I choose with Your help to give these matters to You, and I ask that You handle them for my good and Your glory. Give me a peace that makes no sense, and guard my mind from worry. In Jesus' mighty Name, I pray. Amen.
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