broken road to blue skies collage“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5
I just came back from a prayer walk.  My heart has been heavy with prayer requests and my own attitude on various situations.  At first I was looking down.  I’m talking physically and mentally.  I could feel the frowning crevices between my eyebrows as my mind was racing with thoughts, and I was peering down at the pavement.
As I began to pray, instead of pondering on the circumstances, I could feel God lifting my head.  It was as if He didn’t want me to focus on the broken pavement with each step I took, but look up and see the beauty of His creation.
The sky was beautiful with clouds wisping across the blue palette, and the weather was a perfect 75 degrees.  I began to hear the birds chirping and two children playing in their backyard. I didn’t notice the grey pebbled and broken street as much as I did the red and yellow colors of the flowers in the landscapes. God had lifted my head to show me the beauty instead of the brokenness.
I like how The Message translation states the last half of verse five:
“Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again.  He puts a smile on my face.  He’s my God.”
Yep, God did it again.  He turned my frown upside down. Yes! He is my God!
 “Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7
I pray many blessings and much joy for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie