Look UP

For as long as I can remember, I've been scared. Scared of people, places, the dark, animals...almost everything. Now that I'm an adult, there are certain things that, even though I am scared of, I know I have to at least act like I'm not scared of. (Except heights. I just cannot pretend I'm not scared of heights!) But also as an adult there are NEW fears that creep in. What if I can't care for my kids? What if hubby loses his job? What if....what if....what if. Last night, I think, was the first time I actually asked myself, "Why can't I let my fears go? What am I holding onto them for?" I mean, really. What good is it doing me to keep those fears hanging around? All it does is make me worry, stress me out, and not let me enjoy life in the moment. Here is some scripture that I focused on last night. There are a couple different translations that stood out to me (what I found helpful to me is in bold) Colossians 3 (Amplified Bible) 1If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3 (New Living Translation) 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Philippians 4 (The Message) 6-7Don'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. Philippians 4 (Amplified Bible) 6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And as soon as I started reading these verses & letting God know my concerns, I did settle down & His peace began to mount guard over my heart. I still don't have all the answers to my questions, but I'm pretty sure looking up will put me on the right track to finding them.