A True Sense of Hope From God

After reading my blogs for awhile now, you probably know that I am a true worrier. I worry about what I'm going to wear, tripping down the stairs, toilet paper on my shoe and over-sleeping. I worry not just for myself but for other people. I tend to notice a potential accident before most people, because I worry. These are just the little things, on a daily basis. Of course this problem is worse when there is something big happening. This is something that I know about myself and something that I have been working on. To me worrying comes so quick, it isn't just something that I tell myself to stop doing. It is like a habit. "Hi, my name is Ellen and I am a worry-aholic:)" In all seriousness though, God has been teaching me to let go of that.
So, you can imagine how many times with in the past 12 weeks that I have worried. On Wednesday I had my 12 week ultra-sound. (Not everyone decides to do this testing, but in my case I looked at it as a way to spend some time with my child.) We set the apt. up for later in the day, that way Scott wouldn't have to take extra time off of work. So, with me not working right now, I had the entire day to worry. Instead though, God stepped in and gave me a true sense of hope. I started my day with my devotions. The day before I had finished reading the verses on hope, so with somewhat of a loss on where to begin I went back to Psalm 118. Before I started reading I poured my heart out to God. Although He knew where I was at anyway, I think it is important to be real and honest with God. That is what makes my relationship personal. After reading Psalm 118 I decided to go back through the Psalms, and so I began reading Psalm 117, 116, and through to .....I believe Psalm 112.

Psalm 112:1,2
Praise the Lord, Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Psalm 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 115:14,15
May the Lord make you increase both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Notice the pattern? So, I felt this true sense of hope from God to sustain me. To stop me from worrying and to remember my gracious and comforting Father.

My ultra-sound went wonderful! Everything looked good with nothing to worry about. I have to tell you I was wondering if this would just seem like a continuation from our last 12 week ultrasound of Faith. It didn't, Faith only uncrossed her legs maybe two times during the entire time.She seemed to be sitting pretty. This baby's legs were in the air doing kicks, and spreading apart and stretching out. What an amazing time we had with our child.

My knew pictures of Baby Van Groll.







For those of you who are worry-aholoics too, I've been reading the book Fearless by Max Lucado and this is a tool that I will be turning to when I worry.

8 Steps When You Worry:
P-Pray. Always pray first.
E-Easy now. "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him."
A-Act on it. When there is a concern, deal with it. Don't dwell on it.
C-Compile a worry list. Over a few days write down what you worry about.
E-Evaluate your worry categories. Pray specifically for the themes you tend to worry about.
F-Focus on today. God will meet your daily needs. From there, have patients.
U-Unleash a worry army. Confide in some loved ones. Have them pray with you and for you.
L-Let God be enough. "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matt. 6:32-33)
P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L

Again I highly recommend this book.