In a previous post, I revealed 2009 was my “Year of Hell” at the beginning of the year only to realize that it was my “Year of God” before the year had ended.

God revealed Himself to me in ways I never thought possible. While He didn’t change the year’s events or their impact, what did change was the lens through which I saw all that had happened. My perspective changed. My attitude changed.

In my Year of Hell phase, I lived in fear and frustration. I was not content with the status quo. My idea of what my life should be like was not being realized. My idea of God was not being realized. I was frustrated. That led to anger. Not a good place to be.

Anger is a dangerous thing. It alters you, twists you, muddles your thinking. It feeds on you like a parasite. I believe it was this anger that directly led me to the hospital where doctors were giving me a possible prognosis of death.

I was looking at worst-case scenarios and absolute-disaster scenarios. I made up scenarios ending in embarrassment and humiliation. Absolutes were the norm:

• “No one is ever going to hire me.”
• “I will never find a job.”
• “I will lose all that I have.”
• “My family will be homeless.”
• “Everybody will know and ridicule me!”

Then I threw in a little judgement: “How could I have been so stupid?” and, “Why did I do…?”

Not the best signs of health. The way I was wired, it was all about me and things were never going to get better.

The same exact events are now labeled “Year of God.” Why the change? God showed me I was living in fear and frustration, which led to anger. I was improperly evaluating my situation because it was all about what I wanted as I saw it. God healed me. Not by faith heating as you might think of it but by changing my perceptions. My heart. My attitude. And by changing those things, the outcome was no longer frustration and fear but peace.

Though many scriptures address the Christian’s proper state of mind, body, and soul, let’s consider Philippians 4:6-7:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When I was at my lowest – physically and spiritually unhealthy – God showed up with his peace and removed my anxiety.

If this story hits a nerve with you, I would love to talk with you – whatever your point of view. Please join me at the DFW Technology Prayer Breakfast on October 5, 2018 at the Irving Convention Center. You can also text PRAYER to 77007 for updates on this year’s event.

It might be best thing you ever do for your health. #DFWTechPB #FaithatWork

Jeff Clement is committee chairman of the Dallas/Fort Worth Technology Prayer Breakfast.