Are you taking it all on or taking it all to Him?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6, 7 

For the past decade or so, I have rented a cottage in Maine that is walking distance from the beach. One day, as I had done so many times before, I brought the key to the cottage with me, went for a nice walk, and then returned…but without the key! Somehow, I had dropped it along my walk. Then, the nervousness set in. What if I couldn’t find it? What would the owners think of me? I started to retrace my steps, walking back to the beach and praying nonstop that God would help me find this key with a very small green keychain. After walking the entire route, I got to the beach and thought, there is no way I will be able to find it here. Then, I remembered that I had sat down near some rocks that I had taken note of for some reason. I walked for a bit, found those very rocks, and peeking out of the sand was a hint of green…it was the key! I praised God as if I had won the lottery! 

From the small things such as a lost item, to the big things, like a tragic loss, God wants us to bring everything to Him in prayer and seek Him instead of stressing out. How often do I go about my day and little nagging worries fill my mind and disturb my peace? Paul says to not be anxious about anything (that means any little thing), but in every situation (that means every single one), we are to pray and ask, already thanking God for how He will provide us with what we need. And in taking everything to God, His peace will guard our hearts and minds.This kind of peace can not be achieved or understood by us and is only from Christ Jesus who wants us to take everything to Him. All our burdens, cares, worries, anxious thoughts, and troubles. All our requests, questions, fears, and frets. There is nothing that he wants us to be anxious about. Paul says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18) Pray for everything, in every situation, on all occasions, and for all the Lord’s people. 

I don’t know about you, but I need a daily reminder to take everything and everyone to God in prayer. As anxious as I was about a lost key, there are greater worries that I needlessly hold onto that I need to lay at the feet of Jesus. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)  In seeking Him first and taking it all to Him, I will be saturated with His peace. And I know that my needs will be taken care of by my “take it all to me” God.