Hello everyone! I hope this new year has been both peaceful and fun for everyone reading. Originally, I had something light hearted and silly planned, but I didn’t necessarily feel like the timing was right and I just felt like God has placed something else on my heart.
SO! Needless to say, January has been quite a month for both the USA and the world. At the beginning of the month, I took a social media break that was really good for my mind, but I also felt like I couldn’t ignore what was going on in the world for much longer. Once I started reading more news stories and keeping up with current events, it felt overwhelming to grasp the grief and change that was taking place. From the wildfires in LA, to a random but suspicious tik tok ban, and a change of administration in our government, it felt like a lot to process at once. As always, social media usually focuses on the negative in all issues, but it still felt surreal seeing all of these things happen at one time. Then, of course, it feels like we have to know all the answers and how we feel about everything going on. It always feels like we have to take a stance or be the most educated on each issue, when that’s just not reality or even healthy.
This then got me thinking about how life would look if we all collectively took the weight of the world off our shoulders and handed it to God, because it was never ours to carry in the first place. What if instead of taking on the world’s issues and feeling as if we have to solve it, we pray first? What if instead of thinking we know all the answers to every problem, we listen and learn from those who think differently? What if instead of living as if the world is out of control, we surrender our valid fears and worries to the God who already holds the entirety of our future in his hands?
The reality is, we aren’t supposed to know every detail and story of what’s happening in the world. Often times, it’s too much to process in a healthy way. This doesn’t mean we can’t care or be educated on the issues that matter (because we should be doing that), rather it’s about not letting the evil and strife in this world overtake our hearts and minds. It’s about praying first for those issues and then finding practical ways to make a difference or serve those around you in times of crisis. It’s about finding a healthy balance between being informed and taking a break from the news every once in awhile. The bad news is, the things of this world are likely to keep getting worse. But the good news is, the weight of the world isn’t ours to bear, its God’s.
One of my favorite bible verses is Philippians 4:6-7, “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.” This verse reminds me that casting my anxiety’s and burdens on God, praying, and being thankful in every situation is the secret to peace and internal joy. Even though our outside circumstances may not be ideal, or the world is seemingly in disarray, God is in control.
ANYWAYS! I hope this encouraged you in some way. Even though the world may be stressful or in chaos, our inner world doesn’t have to be. The weight of this world isn’t ours to carry, it’s God’s. 🙂
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