Worry Less, Pray More

"Worry less, Pray more."

This saying is found on many products, such as mugs or T-shirts, and also social media platforms. But what does it really mean? And are we actually doing as it says or are we just saying it? Are we actually giving our cares to God?

To me this saying means to call out to God when you start to worry about something, even if it is something minuscule. God wants you to talk to him about all your worries because He will take care of it. I don't believe that I am actually worrying less and praying more or giving my cares to God, but I want to.

I am probably one of the biggest worriers known to man. Telling me not to worry is like telling me not to breathe. I worry about things I have no control over whatsoever and things I have some control over. So when I see this saying, my stomach drops and I think to myself "How can I possibly not worry?"

A few weeks ago at church the preacher was preaching about worrying less. I thought I would share some of the points he made because I know I am not the only person out there who worries! He was reading out of Matthew 6:25-34. This passage basically says that worrying is unnatural The verse that stuck out to me the most was verse 27 that says, "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"(NIV) This verse really brought things into perspective for me because the truth is that we can't add an hour (or even a minute) to our life.

My biggest struggle is turning things over to God and letting Him be in complete control. I think a lot of people struggle with letting God be in total control with all areas of our lives. This passage in Matthew also says that when you worry you are of little faith because you aren't letting God take care of it.

Ultimately, this section in Matthew is saying that if you seek God, your worries will be taken care of. Worrying is like playing God, trying to control things you cannot control. There is only one God and He is the one that needs to be playing. Give Him a turn and "worry less, pray more!"

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

Much Love,

Angela Paige

Throne Thursday- #Blessed

I have decided to start this series called "Throne Thursday." In these posts I will talk about all things King Jesus! I will talk about the different places that I see Jesus in my life. I hope you stick around!

This school year has already been amazing and it has only been a month so far! I have definitely seen Jesus throughout this month. Rewind to about a year and a half ago. I was thinking about going to Abilene Christian University so I decided I should give it a visit. Somewhere in the middle of our tour on campus something turned inside of me. We went to Chapel on the Hill and they have a beautiful stained glass window all around it. That's when I decided I really wanted to go here. I didn't get my hopes up because I knew it costs an arm and a leg for private school. That spring I got a letter telling me I was accepted and granted a huge scholarship! I told my mom, "Can I please just go for one year?" She said okay and I got ready for college.

Okay, now fast forwarding to spring of last year. I signed up for classes for the next fall because I honestly couldn't see myself anywhere else. I also decided that I would try and apply to study abroad in Oxford, England for the next spring (2016), even though I didn't now if we could make up the funds. I slacked off and applied too late and went on the waiting list. I was bummed at first but then soon realized there would be things to look forward to in the spring. One of my good friends is getting married and I would be able to go to her wedding. Eventually I became less and less excited about the idea of studying abroad in Oxford. During the summer I got a letter saying I have been granted more money to pay for school. After that I knew that I had to continue going to school here.

Two weeks ago I got an email saying there was space in the study abroad program and that I could be moved into acceptance. I immediately felt conflicted. I didn't know what to choose. I honestly felt like my life had been flipped upside down. I thought about it for a while and decided to take the opportunity and go to Oxford next spring.

Another amazing thing about this semester is that I got to serve the incoming freshmen during Wildcat Week. (It's basically freshmen orientation.) Although I was only doing behind the scenes work I still felt like I was making a difference in their lives. I would set up tables and chairs for different events, serve them food and clean up after each event. It was truly a cool experience seeing how everything works and how much work went into my own experience as a freshman a year ago.

This year I have also met so many new people who have blessed me! I was a little nervous because I got a new roommate due to my old one transferring in the middle of the summer. Little did I know that there was nothing to be nervous about! I have starting rushing to pledge a social club. It was been so fun dressing up in different outfits and meeting so many sweet girls. There is still so much more fun to be had.

I truly feel blessed since I have been here at Abilene Christian University and I feel like God has taken care of every worry that I have and turned it into a blessing. There were many times where I would worry about things like money and God has just blessed me with everything I could possibly want. The King is so great and He carries His children in His hands. We are living in His kingdom and He is in charge of our lives.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Much Love,

Angela Paige