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Another Monday?

It's another Monday. For me, it means another day off. You might assume that means I'm feeling pretty good today. But it finds me hoping I can find a way to pack in enough rest so that when I drag myself across the finish line that is this coming Saturday, I will have enough strength. 

I know as well as many of you how I should only concern myself with the to-do list of today. I'm pretty sure a Jewish carpenter gave that advice. Actually, it was probably more than advice. It finds me wondering how everyone else faces Mondays. If you're feeling the same way and you have to go to work or school...well, no wonder people hate Mondays. 

I'm trying to remind myself of the truth found in Philippians 4. 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ~Philippians 4:6

We need to distinguish concerns and anxieties. A concern is something we take to God, then trust in His hands. Anxieties are when we spend lots of time worrying about things we can do nothing about. And even though I didn't see the word if in that verse, I see a then in the next one, making this a if/then statement.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:7

That is my prayer for you and me today.

But it is another Monday. 

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