Jimmy woke up with a start. He was sweating, and breathing heavily. He looked at the clock on the night stand. 2:00 am. He’d only been asleep for a couple of hours. He tried closing his eyes to go back to sleep, but sleep would not come. Stress will do that. Rent was due in a few days, and he didn’t have the money. He had know idea of what he was going to do.
He had been laid off from his job seven months ago, his severance ran out three months ago, and he was now trying to live off of his unemployment benefits. Now his rent was due, his car payment was a month late, and he didn’t even want to think about his car insurance. He canceled his gym membership, and his cable, simply because he couldn’t afford them anymore. He even started shopping at the the dollar store to try and save some money.
These things helped a little, but not enough. He was running seriously late in paying his bills. He had no luck so far in trying to find a new job. He had a few interviews, but they didn’t amount to anything. As he laid there in bed, in the still of the night, a panic started to come over him. He didn’t know what to do. Last Sunday in service, Pastor Monroe had preached about prayer.
Jimmy had been listening, but not listening to the sermon. He had been too caught up in the money difficulties he was going through. He wished now, that he had paid more attention. He did manage to write down the scripture the pastor used. Philippians 4:6. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” “Hey, wait a minute.” Jimmy thought to himself. The verse just now resonated with him. It was like an ah-ha moment.
He had spent all this time worrying and stressing about his money and job situation, and God is saying not to worry about it, but to present it to him. Jimmy closed his eyes, bowed his head, and told God all about the struggles and fears he has having. All of them. When he finished praying, he realized that it seemed like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He didn’t know how all of this was going to turn out, but he now knew that somehow, it would be okay. He knew that God had heard his prayer, would move in his situation, and give him guidance. Now that he had given his cares to the Lord, he was able to close his eyes, and get a good night’s rest.
Thought: Instead of worrying, take it to God in prayer.