Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Whenever I begin to worry, I really need to pray. When my son climbs into the driver’s seat, I should take a few moments to pray for him.
First, I should tell God what I need:
- Keep my son safe.
- Help him be alert so he can be a responsible driver.
- Protect him from other drivers.
- Give me the peace I need to trust Him with my son now and in the future.
Next, it is time to thank God for what He has already given my husband and me:
- An able-bodied and intelligent son
- Wisdom and patience to teach him to drive
- A car he can drive
- Extra time, since he can drive himself where he needs to go
- Date night together while all the kids are at youth group
Experiencing God’s Peace
When I take that time to pray instead of worry, I am a much more calm, peaceful, and sane mama! As Philippians 4:7 promises,
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
God’s peace takes my focus off my own worries and places it on His plan and purpose. On Wednesday night when my son took the other kids to youth group, I did not obsess or fret about it, though I did check my son’s location a time or two. My husband and I had time to reconnect over dinner. Our marriage was blessed because I spent time trusting God rather than worrying about the kids.
By the way, they all made it home safely!
Do you worry about your kids as they take on more responsibilities and become more independent? In the comments, share your biggest worries. What has encouraged you to overcome them.
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This article originally appeared at Lattice.mobi.
