Have you ever found yourself plagued with worry? Maybe even putting off your time with God in lieu of the never-ending to-do list that comes face to face with insufficient time? Friend, I’ve been there. It has robbed me of peace and left my soul unsettled. If you can relate, then you’re going to enjoy today’s guest post by my sweet friend, Ginger Harrington, author of “Holy in the Moment: Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life.” I hope you’ll grab a mug of coffee or hot tea, put up your feet for a few minutes today as we visit with Ginger about one simple way to settle our soul. I pray you will be blessed.

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you)).

One Simple Way to Settle Your Soul
By Ginger Harrington

It’s early in the morning, the quiet hours before the hustle of the day begins. Already my mind scatters in ten directions. Errands to run, deadlines to meet, and problems to solve.

Taking a deep breath–the kind that reminds my shoulders to relax–I force myself to focus on the words that swim on the page of my open Bible. I remember the many times I’ve brought my heavy-laden heart and over-busy schedule to God in this holy space before the day starts to spin.

One simple way to settle your soul.

Setting aside my concerns, I ask God to strengthen me with his words.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life. . . ” Matthew 6:25a

Do not be worried about your life. I fill in the details with the cares that press hard on my sense of wellbeing.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we ____?’ or ‘What will we _____?’ (Matthew 6: 31, blanks added)

• My daughter needs to get her feet underneath her in a new season of life.
• New challenges bombard my husband at work.
• Writing and ministry deadlines outnumber my resources.

Seek first.

And then comes the verse I’ve read hundreds of times, the one that stops my worries in their tracks:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33

Seek God first–this is one simple way to settle your soul. This is both an action and orientation of the heart that carries the promise of God. Seeking God first covers both time and priority.

We’ve all had mornings (days and nights too) when worries weigh heavy, robbing us of peace. What are the stressors in your life today? We all need to remember and believe that God knows what we need and cares about the small details as well as the big issues in our lives.

Father knows.

These two words open the door to peace in this moment: “For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).

We’ve had our days of scurrying after the troubles that ignite fear, anxiety, or depression. Today God reminds us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. Not because the other things aren’t important, but because he wants us to know the peace that comes when we have confidence that he’s got our “all these things” covered. What ever they may be.

God reminds me to focus on his goodness before worrying about my problems. Seek first.

How much more?

“Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:9-11

More than the basics. More than the best we can give. More than the stones and snakes of our problems and needs. More than enough. So much more.

So let’s reach beyond the surface and the simple. Let’s stop worrying about just surviving. Let go of the scarcity mindset of scrounging up just enough to scrape by. How much more does God desire to give you right here in the midst of all the challenges?

How will this day, this problem, or this fear be different when we put our attention on something more than worrying about the things the rest of the world chases after?

His kingdom and his righteousness–these are the first things.

Holy moments are for allowing God to straighten our backward thinking:

• If we get it all done and have time left over, then we’ll seek God.
• When all else fails and there’s nothing left to do, then we’ll pray.
• When we’ve worn ourselves thin with worry, then we’ll pursue his way of living.

 

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33 #Bibleverse #scripture #faith

 

All these things will be added to you.

God is the adder of all these things. Our job is to seek first, trust first, and receive first the goodness of God working in every little thing.

One simple way to settle our soul, seeking God first is our holy choice that opens every moment to the goodness of God.

Author Interview

Dr Michelle Bengtson and Ginger Harrington Author of Holy in the Moment

 

 

Holy in the Moment by Ginger Harrington, a book on growing in holiness.

About the Book: Holy in the Moment: Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life

So much more than a religious version of perfectionism, holiness is a secret to enjoying life with freedom and joy. Dispelling the perception that holiness is a standard of conduct rather than a gift to receive, the award-winning book, Holy in the Moment includes Ginger’s personal journey in finding help and hope for anxiety as well as biblical insights, and simple ideas to enjoy a deeper life and freedom in our identity in Christ. Offer your moments to God and trust Him to make you holy and whole, living well in the choices you make today. Read a sample chapter here.

Ginger Harrington, author and speaker

About the Author

A top 10 finalist in the global Author Academy Awards (click here to vote for the religion category on page 11), Ginger Harrington is the Publishing Coordinator for Planting Roots and the author of Holy in the Moment: Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life. An engaging speaker for military and civilian audiences, Ginger’s newest project is editing the upcoming devotional Free to Be Brave: Moments with God for Military Life. Ginger and her retired Marine husband have been married for 28 years and have three young adult children. Visit www.gingerharrington.com or connect with her on Facebook or Instagram.

 

 

When plagued by anxiety, one simple way to settle our soul, seeking God first is our holy choice that opens every moment to the goodness of God. #anxiety #mentalhealth

 

 

Resource to Break Anxiety’s Grip

Breaking Anxiety's Grip is available at most major book retailers. Order your copy today!

 

No question, we have a lot to worry about. Children, jobs, homes, health, finances, and more. The solution isn’t to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety – as if we could. Instead, we need to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence and that we can fight back using the God-given weapons of power, love, and a sound mind.

We can discover true peace in an age of anxiety.

In Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others. She reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything.

She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God’s peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety’s grip.

Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises is now available on AmazonBarnes & NobleChristianBooks.comBooks-A-Millionand other fine book retailers.

Click here to learn more:  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip

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