Take it to the Lord in prayer.

“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.

His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”” Genesis‬ ‭37:5, 8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the Bible passage young Joseph, who was already having a bit of trouble with his brothers, made his situation a bit more difficult. God gave him a dream and he felt the need to share with his brothers not once, but twice. This did not turn out well for young Jospeh and he found himself, well… in the bottom of a well.

Oh, how sadly I can relate to this need of Joseph’s. I am a “sharer.” Good news, bad news, happy news and even bits of boring news have a difficult time not bubbling out of my mouth. God and my husband have been helping on me in this area of weakness in my life. When a situation arises I tend to want to discuss the details. I want to map out possible solutions, other issues that may arise, the positives, the negatives and any thing else that comes to my mind. I make lists. I make diagrams. I usually make another list then highlight. When perseverating on an issue I usually find multiple hand written, but discarded drafts of whatever situation I am trying to find a resolution for laying about.

Just like Joseph sometimes this sharing can get me into trouble. Today, as I was thinking about a situation that I am facing, but not sharing, I was reminded of Joseph and all the trouble that he got himself into. The old song “Take it to the Lord in prayer” started running through my mind. The song goes on to say “Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

Today I am preaching to the choir as they say. God is probably smiling that I of all the topics to write on I am writing on this subject that I so badly need to master.

“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

He desires to be the one we run to. How crazy to think that he wants to hear about my little issues and even more than hear about them he wants to help. He alone can give peace while the storms of this life rage. He alone can give hope in a hopeless situation. So why do I wait? Why do I share and share usually building anxiety rather than relinquishing it. The Bible says “cast your cares (anxieties) for he cares for you.

Whatever situation you are facing today, talk to him! It doesn’t have to be formal, just find a few quiet moments to share then listen. If you still do not find peace, repeat, share then listen. He is waiting to give you the peace that you need to face any issue that we find ourself facing today.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Lord, let me talk to you first. Let me seek your face about a situation before I seek the ears of others. Teach me to trust and grow in this process. Amen.