Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
It was early in the morning as I prepared to leave for work and I was the only one up. Throughout my morning, I had been praying about the job interview I would have that afternoon. While I wanted God’s leading in whatever job I took, it had been more than two years since I had had full-time steady work. Being newly separated, I was even more in need of full-time employment. Many interviews had come and gone. Would this be the one? Or another “we have so many qualified candidates”?
Just before leaving for work I sat on the side of my bed feeling defeated already. As I began to pour out my fears and tears in prayer, the Spirit came close and interrupted my prayer. Suddenly my mind was completely flooded with all the wonderful and miraculous ways God had led over the last four years while my employment situation had been difficult and very much in jeopardy.
Overwhelmed with the realization of all God’s careful attention to me and my family I began to enumerate His many blessings in prayer on my employment–especially in the past few years. He had guarded my nursing license in an environment where many other nurses had not been so fortunate. He had protected my schedule making sure I was home every time I absolutely needed to be (many times when I had no idea I needed to be there) while I was in a situation of never knowing when or where I would work during the next few hours.
This interruption by the Holy Spirit totally changed my perspective! For the rest of the day, even after the interview I was just praising God for His infinite blessings. No matter what happens with my employment, now or in the future, I am reminded God has a plan and will protect me.
God does want to hear our many requests, heartaches and worries and wants to take our burdens away. However, as Philippians 4:6 states we are to offer these requests “with thanksgiving”.
Gracious Father, thank You for the infinite number of blessings You give me. Forgive me when I allow my eyes to be clouded with fear. Thank You for being so patient and guiding me down this path of growing up into what You want me to be.
