"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING ANXIOUS AND WORRIED"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING ANXIOUS AND WORRIED"

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

Philippians 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 goes right at the issue of being anxious or worried. This is towards the end of his letter to the church in Philippi, one which he had helped to found, along with Timothy. And, as he closes out this short little 4 chapter letter, he gives us God's prescription for anxiety and worry. It's very simple to understand, and when taken to heart, the peace of God fills our hearts. So, let's break this down and look at what God says to us through Paul the apostle.

2. "Be anxious for nothing" Or, "Don't worry about anything" So, regarding the emotion, and attitude of worry, he says very simply don't do it. Now, it's important to understand, that if God tells us something to do, or to not do, then as His children, we can obey Him, and ought to. His direction in our lives is for our good, and it's to bring blessing into our lives, and to help us be conformed into the image of Christ, and to be a blessing to others around us.

3. Would you not agree that God is not worried about anything? If you could go to heaven for 24 hours, I'm absolutely confident that you would not find one worried angel, one worried saint, and not one member of the trinity is worried. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not worried.
But, on the other hand, it might only take you 24 seconds or 24 minutes to find someone down here on earth who is worried and anxious. In fact, You may be very anxious and worried today. If so, let's look again at what the Lord says about it.

4. Here's how it reads in the NLT Phil 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. So, again, just don't worry, but He adds, "about anything" Are you worried about something today? God say's "don't" But, that's not all He says. Here's the rest of it. "Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Ahh, there it is. Instead of worrying, pray about everything. Or you can pray about everything you are worrying about.

5. There's more here.

Phil 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Phil 4:7 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.

(1) Tell God what you need.

(2) Thank Him for what He has done.

(3) If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.

(4) His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

6. The above scriptures, remind me of the instructions we see on prescriptions for medical illnesses. They will say things like "take 4 pills a day, with meals". In other words, this is what to do to deal with your medical issue. And, these verses are God's instruction to us about our issues of anxiety and worry. Let me just point out that tucked away in this verse is this wonderful promise from God who cannot lie to us. God says, He will give us His peace.

What a great exchange. Exchange Your worry for God's peace. But, it takes active faith, or obedient faith to have this peace. Will You stop right now, if you are anxious, and follow what God tells you in these two simple but profound verses? If you do, I can assure You God will follow through on His promise He always will. But, one word of caution.

You may need to to do this throughout this day, and throughout the duration of the issue that is related to Your anxiety. But, that's ok, because, as You continue to follow God's Word, God will continue to give His peace to You.

A prayer:

Lord, it's amazing how complex our thinking and emotions can become, and yet, when we pause to look at and consider a couple of verses that You give us, it all seems so simple. I thank You that Your Word is true, because it's impossible for You to lie. And, You are faithful to do everything You promise to do, and there is no one who can stop You from doing what You want to do.

The problem lies with us. But, You have given us faith. Help us now Lord, to be actively believing You, and to continue to be actively believing You. Because You will be actively giving us Your peace, which is so wonderful for our souls. Thank You Father. In the name of Your Son, our Savior, and Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.