I have begun to practice a new way of thinking. Instead of worrying over my stuff, my problems, and my future, I have begun to practice the new heart attitude Russ spoke of in his post titled "paradigm shift".
More and more, I am remembering that I'm here to serve the Lord and His kingdom purposes, and not myself. I am finding myself being released from worry and strife over things that used to stress me out completely.
I will find myself thinking worry thoughts about so-and-so, and then I say to myself, wait a minute, that's God's stuff to be concerned about. I don't have to take that on. And then I say inside myself, "Father, what can I do to please you right now at this moment?" More often than not I will hear a nudge to do this or that, and so I go and do the thing He tells me. And you know what? As I am serving Him, fear and worry just vanishes. Those feelings actually get replaced by Joy.
And I want to stress the fact that I am not trying to let go of worry. I am not trying to trust and to stop being fearful. I am instead focusing on my reason for being here, to love and serve God, and asking Him, moment by moment, "Lord, how can I serve you right now" or "What can I do for the Kingdom right now" or "Lord how can I please you right now". And as I concern myself with Him and His purposes for me, joy just bubbles up from within me and there's just no more room for worry or fear!
I feel as though I am truly beginning to let go of running my own life and actually giving my life over to God, maybe even for the first time. Well not really, but it feels like this is all brand new. Not that I had never served Him before, but I think selfishness and self concern, even self obsession had gradually crept in, replacing the attitude of serving I once had.
It was tough to do at first, and there are still tough moments, if I'm being honest. It isn't easy to get into this groove. But as I practice this more and more, I am realizing that it is actually easier to carry His burden for the Kingdom than to carry all my own stuff, all my own problems, and feel weighted down by fears and concerns all the time. And it actually IS easy and light to do what He tells me!
Not only that, I am finding that my new attitude is having an effect, a large one at that, on the people in my immediate circle! Its like the peace I have now is spreading outward and touching others.
I am still in the midst of practicing this, and still getting used to this new way of thinking. But I just want to encourage you to try it, because you will not regret it, I promise you! Serving Him is the most joyful thing we can do. And He is SO easy to please (in fact, He is already pleased with you right now at this moment!) :-)
Bless you!