The end of December is when many people analyze their lives, achievements, and recent events, create goals and write down resolutions for the new year. I have to admit though that the last few years reminded us that we could have many plans and ideas but sometimes circumstances in the world and in our personal lives can change them.
Planning Anxiety
This is why lately it's been harder to make plans and goals, especially when you're not entirely sure you need something. Should I move? When is the best time to buy an apartment? Can I afford to build a house? Are we ready for another baby? Is it time to change jobs? What is the best time to propose? Multiple questions occupy our minds, filling our hearts with worry and anxiety. It's very difficult to make any decisions at a time of such uncertainty!
This week I was also struggling over one matter, but then a simple but practical thought came to mind: surrender it all in God's hands.
"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" (Phil. 4:6-7)
In a simple prayer, I surrendered my plans to God. In a few words, I told Him about my worries and my reasoning, my dreams and my desires. And though I didn't receive an immediate answer and the responsibility was still mine, I received exactly what the Bible promises - my heart got filled with peace.
Let Your Requests Be Known
I know that many of us carry the responsibility of decisions we still need to make (or maybe have already made). We could try our best to calculate and control every little thing, so many factors stay out of our reach. They make us feel like a ship in the ocean: pretty stable until the storm comes, and then we'll have to see! This responsibility often attracts fear, destroying that fragile peace that we have in our hearts. Our worries overpower us.
This is why Paul writes "do not be anxious". Your worry will not add a single day to your life and will not make your burden any easier. Instead, the Apostle suggests we pray: "let your requests be made known to God".
This time I paid attention to the way he worded it. Paul didn't say "request God" or "ask Him for whatever you need". He said "share your requests with God" or in some translations "present your desires to Him". Tell Him what you want and why "it's complicated". Share your unreasonable desires and wildest dreams with Him. Share your worries and doubts.
I understand that my will might not match His. I understand that my desires might be wrong. Or that the time might not be the best for my dream to come true. But God is wise and kind, He will not judge me for the desires of my heart, He will not give me a stone instead of bread, and He will not send me on a failing journey. He will patiently listen to my wants and my concerns.
Peace Above Understanding
And then, no one promises that all your dreams will come true! Maybe some plans or desires will never be fulfilled. But what God does promise us is peace. He tells me that I can always share my dreams and my worries with Him, and He will help me be satisfied with my circumstances!
Here's an example for you: when I was a teenager, I made a list of all the qualities I imagine my husband should have. I prayed over it and then I thought: "what if God makes me marry someone completely different?" Even though it sounded pretty bad, I realized that if I marry that guy, I would do it out of love. And if I love him, I wouldn't care about those qualities!
God doesn't promise to change our circumstances, but He promises to change our perception. I believe this is the best strategy. There will always be storms in our lives, failed plans, and even crushed dreams. But if my heart and my mind are filled with supernatural peace, why should I fear them?
Mind in Christ
When I was meditating over this Bible verse I noticed the words that I didn't pay attention to before. Apostle Paul says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Our hearts can only be filled with real peace, surpassing all understanding, if our minds are filled with Jesus! Only when our plans are made with the view of eternity, only when our dreams are focused on Him, can the peace in our hearts be complete.
Am I trying to say that we cannot dream about anything that doesn't concern God? Not really. But trust me, for a true born-again Christian, all their desires come back to their faith. Wanting a car to be able to drive people. A bigger house to host parties and bible studies. Start a business to have more opportunities to serve. Having children to bring them up in God's Word. I believe that such desires are pleasing to God, and the paths to their fulfillment, though thorny, will be filled with the joy of His closeness and true, genuine peace.
When you plan for 2023, when you write down your New Year's resolutions, share them with God. Surrender your desires to Him and let them go. Don't give it up completely, but also don't overthink every little thing. Let God take your dreams in His hands, and instead take His peace, filling every peace of your soul. Even if your plans take a 180-degree turn, even if your dreams don't come true, allow God to give you His dreams and His plans, guard your mind in Christ, and lead you in His ways to His eternal joy!