growing up, defeating worry!

It is still hard for me to believe that I am in the process of applying/interviewing in hopes of finding my first job in the "real world". It's really tough, to be honest, and so far, I have been timid and just plain pessimistic about it. That's not entirely true, because I do have optimistic days and I know that God is sovereign and has had a plan since the beginning of time for me and all of His children. But, I am hit with lies almost every day about myself and my future, and I have become good at believing them. Lies like, "God doesn't have anything else for you...you'll never get a job or make a difference or bear fruit for Him." Yes, that extreme! And, "You made that mistake, choosing a major you didn't like, and that messed the plan up that God had for You." How silly. They are not true. I believe they're simply lies directly from our Enemy.

I got a call yesterday morning from a man from a company that I sent my resume to. He invited me to interview with them this Friday. Since yesterday morning, I have been thinking about it almost constantly, worrying and worrying over what I will say and what they will think of me. I have a real problem with worry. Since I was a wee teen, I have had this thing where if something is coming up, some kind of public speaking or interview or even social events that I am uncomfortable with, I will obsessively anticipate it. Unhealthy obsession and worry. It is a real sin in my life. And I'm so tired of it. Upon coming across this verse yesterday, I gave my anxieties to the Lord, just wishing for His peace to come over me: "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" - Matthew 6:27. Could Jesus be any more reasonable and clear? It makes so much sense. Worrying does absolutely nothing. It can only tear you down, and it dishonors Him. So this evening, as I was running with my Dad, that peace finally started to kick in. I began to believe, actually believe what I've been reading in the Word and taking my family's advice about this interview coming up, this small moment in time, advice like "Just be yourself, and just be honest". And that is all I want to be. It's totally the Spirit ministering to me, and its times like these that I appreciate challenge and the hard things, because God shows up in mighty ways. I am hoping and praying that, as I face more and more of these uncomfortable events in my life, that I am relying each time more and more on God's grace to get me through it, and totally refusing to believe the lies, and reject the worry.

Hope yall are having good weeks : )