Be Anxious For Nothing, But…
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Be Anxious For Nothing, But…
It’s so easy to get caught up in anxiety. After all, there is so much we simply have no control over. We cannot control earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, the economy, world powers, diseases, accidents, etc. In our helplessness, we can try grasping straws of what we think might help. But, when it is straw we are depending upon, we are sure to fall.
For that very reason, Paul instructs us in God’s truths. Paul wrote these instructions while sitting in prison and possibly facing death for his faith. With these words, Paul is showing us what our faith needs to be like as we face our problems in this world. He says in Philippians 4:4-7,
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Is your heart and mind being guarded in Christ Jesus — the only One who can guard us? Is your forbearing spirit known to those around you? Are you anxious for nothing? Are you always faithfully rejoicing in prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving? We all need to be aware of how our faith is working — or coming to a grinding halt.
When by faith we know that God is in control of all things and will carry us through every situation, we will not be frantically trying to overcome the impossible all by ourselves. Our faith will be in God — not in our ability to outmaneuver an oncoming, overwhelming disaster.
To have a “forbearing spirit” is to be able to control oneself under all sorts of provocations. One with a “forbearing spirit” will refrain from acting like someone who does not have faith in the love of God, our Savior. They will willingly endure and tolerate whatever happens because they know that our Lord is caring for them in the midst of their troubles — even in painful troubles. As Paul was imprisoned and facing a death sentence, he was not wringing his hands and unwilling to endure whatever God wanted him to face. Paul was not anxious about his future.
Why? Because he had a thankful heart for all that God does in caring for us in Jesus Christ. Paul fervently prayed that he would be a good and true witness of God’s salvation, no matter what sort of hardship he would have to face. Paul was confident in God’s love for him because Jesus willingly suffered and died on the cross so that we might be given eternal life.
Translating that to our situation today, we are to thankfully and faithfully rejoice in prayer, as we look to our Lord and ask for His almighty power to help us through our lives. Then with faith, “the peace of God” will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When we trust God, He will strengthen us with the peace of knowing for sure that we are eternally safe in His hands. Even if our life on earth ends, it does not matter, because we will be with our Lord in heaven.
Those who do not trust in God cannot comprehend or understand this gift of peace from God, but it will help us to realize that we don’t have to worry about what is happening in this world. We are God’s dear children and whatever He allows in our lives is okay because our Lord will bring us home.
Rejoicing in the faith that enables peace, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, thank You for powerfully upholding us in the peace and assurance of Your eternal love in Jesus Christ.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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