Rejoice always,  pray constantly,  give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CSB)

As much as I hate to admit it, I spend a lot of time worrying about things that I really have little or no control over. I was reminded of that recently. I came home one afternoon to a letter from my homeowner’s insurance company staying that they will not renew my policy in July because my house was built before 1978 and I had not produced a lead-free certificate. Once again, worry kicked in (with a touch of panic in my head).

My home was built in 1850 and nobody has ever asked me for such a document. A call to my insurance agent revealed that they were basically sending the same letter to most (or all) of their policy holders that have older homes. Of course, in my mind I was not going to be able to find someone to insure me because I have an old home and could potentially lose it as a result. After a call to my mortgage company and subsequently their insurance division, I became even more concerned. Most of the providers their agency checked with did not want to touch homes older than 150 years (mine is 167). The one that would was almost double what I am paying now, prompting the man on the other end of the phone to suggest I try local companies. In an effort to “de-stress” I went outside to cut the grass, walking back and forth with mower in tow as I suddenly felt God’s presence — reminding me that I was worrying about a situation that had just arisen -and for which I had little information to go on as of yet. Moreover, it became clear how unhealthy and unnecessary all this worry was as He has always provided. I prayed about it and reminded my wife that God has always taken care of us. Perhaps the raise I recently got was specifically to help offset any increased costs He knew I would be receiving. It really is a matter or perspective. Taking an attitude of gratitude to the LORD is always the best way to look at anything in this life. As it says in the verse above, give thanks in everything. I know it’s toughest to do that when things arise that seem threatening or uncomfortable in some way. But I think that’s when gratitude pays off the most.

Oh, by the way… I actually got better coverage for about the same when I did a little checking around. Funny how things often work out when you reduce the stress by bringing the matter to God in prayer.

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB)

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.