“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious — the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

Philippians 4:6-8 The Message Bible

As you look to this Christmas season, it is so easy to get all caught up in what I call the Stress Trap. But instead, God is telling you, “Trust me. Turn your worry into prayer and thankfulness and think on those things that are positive and uplifting in your life.” In these next few days spend some time getting refocused. Just think about all the blessings you have in your life. This will change your attitude.

DECLARATION:

Dear God, I am so grateful for all the ways you have blessed me. I bring to you all those things that have been troubling me. I realize I have been trying to carry the entire load myself. I give it to You for You have told me if I am burdened that You will give me rest. Help me to focus on things that are positive and uplifting in my life, those blessings that I have so often taken for granted. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Have a blessed Christmas Season, for we all have so much to be thankful for, remembering that God gave the best gift of all when He gave His Son, Jesus Christ.