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

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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