Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6,7
Hi sisters, how are you getting on with applying this scripture to your everyday lives? Have you taken inventory of the things in your life that cause you ongoing anxiety that shouldn’t be there in the first place? Are you practicing replacing worry with prayer? Do you thank God for all He is and has done for you? Do you tell Him what you need? I can’t say YES myself all the time in every situation, but I can see more fruit of it as I train myself in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. If you are struggling, be encouraged. Fruit will come as you proactively persevere. Peace will come through the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace. Only God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds.
It is interesting when we look at the life of our Lord Jesus, He Himself was certainly no stranger to anxiety and anguish. In the Garden of Gethsemane right before His crucifixion, Jesus was so distressed that His “sweat became like great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). And we hear Jesus spreading His anxieties before the Lord in prayer in Gethsemane, as He says to God the Father, “Now My soul is troubled” (Matthew 26:38). Then He said, “Father save Me from this hour. Remove this cup from Me” (Matthew 26:39). But then after prayer came relinquishment (surrender), as He was able to say, “Nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done heavenly Father” (Matthew 26:39). So we see how Jesus dealt with His anxiety. First He prayed, then He surrendered, and then He was given peace. If you read on in the garden scene, Jesus is fully prepared to meet his betrayer and the horrific events that followed. Jesus was calm and at peace. On the cross Jesus says, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). “Father into Your hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:46).
God does not ask us not to feel anxious, but to cast it on Him in prayer trusting His sovereignty and plan. He knows. He cares. He’s been there. And his yoke is easy and his burden is light if you will only put it on Him. Again and Again. Pray. Surrender. Peace.
So girlfriend, let’s go one step further. Hope fully by now, you have this scripture on your smart phone, in your bible, notebook, on the refrigerator, on your bathroom mirror. 🙂 Now, why don’t you memorize it? Nothing like being able to quote scripture in the heat of the moment of worry or anxiety.
Praying for you as ever and cheering you on,
Kathy x
GRACE PLACE 