“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Anxiety is a big deal. Odds are that you’ve wrestled with it. It is that feeling you get about uncertainty over the future. You get nervous, scared, maybe even unable to think or move because of what might happen.
What are some of the things that you have been anxious about?
It can be tough to hear Paul say, “Do not be anxious about anything.” But think for a moment about his life and his circumstances. He was chained next to a Roman guard when he wrote this. He was about to stand trial before Caesar. It is very possible that he would be executed. Any day he could get called up for trial. He of all people has a lot of reasons to be anxious, but he isn’t… He has found something that puts anxiety to sleep. The peace of God.
Paul says to pray about everything. So if you are struggling with a relationship issue, tell God. If you are concerned about what other people might think of you, tell God. When you are concerned about the future and the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine, tell God. Tell God everything.
The practice of prayer allows us to confess our dependence on God. We recognise when we pray to the Father that He is in control. He holds the future and nothing happens without His knowledge. When we spill our guts about what might happen, He already knows the outcome. We can trust Him because He loves us, He walks with us, and nothing is beyond His grasp.
When we turn our worries into prayer and pray about everything, we find the peace of God. We can rest knowing that the events may not turn out like we would want them too, but God is definitely in control.
– Valerie O’Regan