Photo Credit: Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz 'Travellers' series.

 

 As a child, I had a facination with snow globes. I had an entire collection…some with carousel horses, some with clowns, and even some with entire villages crafted inside the little glass bubble. I used to love to shake them and watch the snow fall where it may. I would wind up their little music boxes and listen to their melodies play for hours on end. I only have one now and it sits on my desk in my office. It is a replica of old Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. It has red and black “snow” that falls down around the stadium when shook and plays “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”    

 The snow globe caught my eye tonight as I sat at the computer, stressing over all life has thrown my way this week. As I turned it over and watched the little specks of glitter float effortlessly down upon the unaffected stadium, it reminded me of the many blessings that God rains down upon us. How often we stand, like the stadium, completely unaffected by the showering of God’s love and mercy. How often we let God’s gifts go unnoticed and unappreciated. How often we consume our minds and hearts with worry, stress, and fear instead of filling ourselves with all God has to offer.     

 What does the Bible say about anxiety, stress and fear?     

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

Matthew 6:31-33
31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.     

1 Peter 5:7
7Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.     

Isaiah 41:10
10So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.     

 Our God is such an amazing and gracious god. Rejoice in his love and mercy, instead of succumbing to the pressures of an unforgiving world. His blessings are abundant! Scoop them up and let them pour out of you and onto others. Give your fear and apprehensions to the Lord. He knows what you need, and, if you trust in Him, he will provide abundantly. Be thankful for the blessings rained down upon you and share them with others. Do not stand unaffected like the stadium in the snow globe. Instead, be like the snow and float effortlessly through life, knowing God is with you always.