Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

^6-7 Don’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.

Do not underestimate the power of thanksgiving in combating depression! I like the idea that petition and praise help to shape my concerns into prayers rather than despair. Many times I start to spiral, but when I turn to face God, I realize how capable he is. Nothing is impossible for him. as I thank him for what I know he will do, my load is lightened.

We are petitioning the king of the universe! Acknowledge who he is, that he made each of us so unique and placed us in our circumstances for such a time as this. We matter to him and as I relate to him in prayer it becomes easier to see that he relates to me. Nothing can separate us from his love–a fact so worth taking the time to become convinced of.