Blankets and Chocolate

God has not overlooked you
He has not ignored you
He hears every petition
And intimately knows
The heart beneath it.
Give Him full access
To all your longings
Pray every single day
To become a person who delights in Him.
When it seems to disappear
Remember to check your JAW
Are you jealous?
Are you angry?
Are you worried?
Roll it all on Jesus
He's strong enough to carry it
Big enough to handle it.
Trust God with all your heart
Now leave this place
And go into the world
And do some GOOD.

Above was from a Beth Moore conference from a few years ago.  I saved it and came across it again today on my laptop.  It hit me afresh and in a timely manner.  It is so encouraging. And being the encourager that I am, I wanted to share it here with you in the event you needed the reminder. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:24-26

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:3-5

So we are to cast anxiety – what does that look like?  Here it is for me.  You go fishing.  Put your fear on the hook, cast it into the lake, let some big fish (The Almighty) take it off the hook.  Now comes the fun part.  God replaces the anxiety with chocolate!  So when you reel it back in - ta da – chocolate!  And the best part – no fish to clean.  For me, this is a win, win situation.  After all, chocolate is one of the desires of my heart!

So, the reason I am the size I am is due to the amount of chocolate I have eaten in the last 10 years.  I had many fears.  I had much anxiety.  I cast them away.  I ate chocolate.

Now to conquer my hurts – which are many now and coming at a rapid pace.  Some would say they are the same as cares and fears.  I say no.  My hurts are not from within or attached to a circumstance, but come from a source without.  Anxiety comes from within.  They are different.

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.  Psalm 119:75-77

Grateful for his unfailing love; grateful for his comfort in my time of need.  I will cast my cares and He will cover my hurts – like a blanket.  Blankets and chocolate – life is good.  God is good!  Cacao!