Articles
Worried?
I admit I’ve done my share of worrying through the years. You too? But where has it got us?
If worry doesn’t help, what does?
“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, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Who said this?
These words are from the apostle Paul, addressed to Christians at Philippi in Macedonia. He wrote this while under house arrest in Rome—a prisoner for his faith.
But these are not simply the words of a man.
Paul preached and wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 3:15-16).
Therefore it is actually God speaking through His servant Paul.
Since God made us, shouldn’t He know what we need most?
What it says
The passage quoted above prescribes the most effective antidote for worry: prayer.
Instead of fretting, pray. Instead of tossing and turning all night, tell the Father.
But there’s more. Paul says our prayer is to be accompanied “with thanksgiving.”
Gratitude gets the focus off our fears and onto the Source of all our blessings.
This passage tells us:
1) What to avoid (worry).
2) What to do instead (pray with thanksgiving).
3) What God promises (peace instead of anxiety).
For those who belong to Christ: Guaranteed to work.
