"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WORRY"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WORRY"

Phl 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Phl 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. Paul is dealing with the issue of "Worry" And, he is going to tell us how to deal with it, giving us very explicit detail, along with a great promise from God, that if we will deal with "Worry" the way God's wants us to, there will be a tremendous blessing coming into our lives.

3. Let's break this down bit by bit.

(1) First of all, we are told to simply, "Be anxious for nothing" Or don't worry about anything. Anxious here, means, to worry,
also, translated, take thought, have care, to be troubled with cares, to look out for a thing. Essentially, it means, to worry.
The dictionary says, to give way to anxiety or unease, to allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles,

(2) Secondly, and this is so helpful, here's what Php 4:6b says, "but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;" So, the Lord does not just say, don't worry, but He gives us direction as to what action we can take when instead of worrying. In everything we are to pray. So, instead of worrying about anything, in everything pray. And, we are given some specific things to do when we pray.

(3) Thirdly, here's the detail about prayer. It's prayer, supplication, with thanksgiving. These three things. To pray, simply means, to talk to God, to have "conversation" with God. Supplication, means to converse with God, and where we express our needs to Him. In this case, one of the needs we express would be the situation we are worrying about. And, then, there is "Thanksgiving" Now, this is very important. This is when we move away from what we are asking God to do, and focusing on what God has done, and thanking Him for it. It's kind of like the old song which says, "Count Your Blessings One By One" Name, them, tell God You are thankful for what He has done, For, He has done so much.

(4) Fourthly, we are to "let your requests be made known to God;" This is where we take the things that we are asking God to do, and make them known to Him. We are to express those things that we want, or need to Him. Can I let you in, on a little secret? He already knows what you have need of before you ask Him. Here's what Jesus said, Matt 6:8b " For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." He knows what you are telling Him. And, He knew it long before you even knew what you were going to talk to Him about. You might say, "Why pray if He already knows?" Good question, and there are some simple answers to it. 1. God has instructed us to pray. 2. Prayer is effective. 3. Prayer brings our will into line with His 4. God not only hears prayer, but He answers prayer. 5. There are way to many other reasons to list here.

(5) Fifthly, here's what God promises will happen if we follow the instruction given to us above. Phl 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Another version, the NLT says it this way. "If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

We will experience God's peace, which is more then we can even comprehend, And, God's peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. It's the ultimate exchange program. We choose not to worry, We choose to pray, and, we choose to let God know what we are requesting, and He promises to give us peace. Which would a person want, worry, or peace?. Of course, it's peace.

A prayer:

Father, these two verses are packed with comfort for us. And, these verses are filled with almost a step by step process You call us to follow, and there is this wonderful promise that You make. So, today, may we just pause for a moment or two, and think about what we may be worrying about, and stop worrying, and then turn to You in prayer, along with thanksgiving, and let our requests be made known to You, and then standby, as You give us Your peace, which will guard, or keep our hearts and minds in Your son Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord for this very, very helpful prescription approved not by the FDA, but, given directly from The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Help us Lord to be doers, not just hearers of Your Word. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia