A Journey of a Lifetime (Anxiety-Free Monday, Wk 1)

The sun is barely peeking over the horizon. I lug my last suitcase out to the car and with a final heave, toss it in. Slamming the trunk, smile and let out a satisfied sigh.

Let the journey begin.

I have been blessed to travel to many different places so far in my lifetime. I’ve been to about 30 states(ish), a few foreign countries– Spain, Portugal, Italy and China. All of these trips have been educational, challenging and blessing to my heart.

Although traveling as a “big kid” isn’t as frequent as my college days, I can’t help to still be filled with anticipation and excitement with each new journey.

Starting out our journey of wedded bliss on our honeymoon, just “Rome-ing” around.” (Get it? Rome? Italy? Ok. Sigh. I’m done.)

But now my journeys have started to shift– they aren’t in the form of road trips for college football games (Go Kansas State!) or boarding a plane for a solo trip to China “just because I can.” Now, it’s a journey through marriage. A journey to parenthood. A journey of walking with Christ.

And today starts a new journey– one that you are personally invited along for…

A JOURNEY TO CONTENTMENT.

I hope you are packed and ready to ride. (Oh, and buckle up. Safety first.)

Today my friend Kelli Wommack and I are starting a journey to contentment via an in person AND online bible study called “Calm my Anxious Heart.”

I don’t know about you, but whenever I travel, I always have some kind of anxiety– usually stemming around “I feel like I am forgetting something” and “Did I turn off stove?”

But we are excited for Christ to take us on this journey and calm our anxious hearts. (Rumor has it, He’s a pretty stellar travel guide.)

Here’s how this journey is gonna work…

~Each Monday, Kelli & I will post our “take” on the previous week’s reading on our blogs, as well as post the “homework” for the coming week
~We encourage you to join in the fun and share your thoughts/comments on our blogs, regardless of if you have decided to so the bible study with us
~We will provide an opportunity for interaction on the Calm My Anxious Heart Facebook page
~Specifically for my blog: Homework will be posted at the very end of each of my Monday entries, which I am lovingly dubbing “Anxiety Free Mondays” or AFM for short (sounds like a radio station abbreviation to me… I like it!)

Then, we let Jesus do the work.

So as we kick off this journey, I have a couple questions for you…

What things cause you the most anxiety in your life?
What do you think a “content heart” truly looks like?

Please leave your comments below. 🙂

I hope you are all packed and ready to go! (Everyone bring their toothbrush? What about your cell phone charger? Your favorite beverage and snack?)

We are off and running… on a journey to free us from anxiety. On a journey to contentment. On a journey of a lifetime.

Revved up and ready to roll,
SGK

“I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” ~Philippians 4:12-13 (MSG)

If you are “officially” participating in the online bible study, here is your “homework” for week #1. Pencils up? Annnd GO!

Day 1: Read Chapter One
Write Philippians 4: 11 – 13 on a card and go over it every day. Pray it. Praise God with it! Memorize it. You can do it. You’ll be glad you did.

Day 2: Study Guide (back of book)– Questions 2, 3

Day 3: Study Guide– Questions 4, 5, 6

Day 4: Study Guide– Questions 7, 8a and 8b

Day 5: Study Guide– Question 9
Write in your journal what you learned about God this week, what you learned about yourself this week. Write a prayer to remember what God has taught you.

Helpful Study Tools: