Years ago, my dad quit having “problems” and started experiencing “opportunities”. I have to admit that for a while I though it was kind of silly to think that just exchanging one word for another would have any impact on anything. But over the years, I came to see that the word exchange was more about a mindset, and a reminder of an age old truth. You can only control what you can control, and you can’t be concerned with the rest. Things will happen, mistakes will take place, conflict will arise, issues will surface, and most times, there is not much we can do to stop them. But, we have the opportunity to control how we respond to them. We have the opportunity to control what we can control. But that’s not new age philosophy. It is in fact Biblical theology. Time and time again the Bible tells us not to worry, to not be anxious about anything, to take everything to God in prayer, to let the peace that transcends understanding reign in our hearts. It would appear that the worlds standard, that we should worry, and fret and be anxious about all kinds of things, is not what God wants for us. And the truth is, that isn’t what God wants for us; He wants better for us. He wants us to trust Him, in little things and big things. To take care of ourselves, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, to control what we can control, and leave the rest to Him. I know that is easier said than done, but if we want to break free from the cycle of anxiety and worry, we need to make some changes in our lives, in our attitudes, and in our heart. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”