#DailyDevotion Don’t Be Anxious, Talk To God About It
Php 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Don’t be anxious? Don’t you know it’s Christmas time? I have to buy gifts. I don’t have enough money. I have all these parties I need to go to. I can’t pay all my bills. I’m having trouble with my kids and my spouse. How can you say ‘don’t be anxious’? Hey, this isn’t me by Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit. God knows more about what’s going on in your life than I do. You should listen to Him.
This isn’t the only place God tells us not to be anxious. Jesus says, Mat 6:31-34 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (34) “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Peter reminds us, 1Pe 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (7) casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” As Moses writes and the author of Hebrews reminds us, Deu 31:8 “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Instead of being anxious then we need to 1. Trust God’s promises. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He is on our side. He sent Jesus. Jesus is love. John says, 1Jn 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” Believe God loves you for Christ’s sake. 2. What does Paul and Peter say to do instead? Pray! If we are anxious, instead of worrying, tell God what you are worrying about. Go to him with prayer and supplications. And give thanks believing he has heard you and will do something about your situation. Trust him and his promises He says he cares for you. Remember, he is the big guy who created everything and sustains everything from Higgs boson particle to every galaxy in the universe, everything seen and unseen.
If you do this, THEN the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard and keep your hearts in Christ Jesus. For, Mat 6:8 “your Father knows what you need before you ask him” and Mat 6:32 “your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” and Isa 65:24 “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” If this is true, and it is, you can have peace in the depths of your heart as you know your Father in heaven cares for you and is going to do whatever is necessary for you to attain eternal life and dwell with him forever.
Gracious God and Father, grant us faith to not fear or be anxious about the things of the world but rather to bring our petitions and supplications to you so we may have the peace of Christ in our hearts and in our minds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.