Philippians 4:4-7 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 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. (NLT)
Well, that is easier said than done.
But this is Paul the Apostle, so let's cut him a little slack.
He wrote these words while in a Roman prison. (Not a nice place.) He has been stoned, (that hurt) run out of town, (humiliating) lied about, (annoying) shipwrecked, (what a swim) snake bit, (ouch) dodged numerous assassination attempts, (again annoying) was nearly killed in Jerusalem (he saw that coming) but ended up being jailed for years (not what he wanted but . . .) while waiting for someone to make a decision and was now in Rome, most likely to be martyred for his faith.
Then he wrote, "Don't worry about anything;" That phrase should have your attention.
GRITTY FAITH is a faith that leads us to believe in Jesus more than the circumstances we are in at the moment. Say that out loud to yourself.
Now, Paul tells us how he does it.
Don't worry
One commentator calls this "apparently impossible advice." I get it, and I think you do, too, but it isn't impossible. Paul isn't commanding us not to care about our families, world events, or personal needs. He is telling us that our current circumstances are nothing to worry about.
Why?
Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 6:25, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? (NLT)
Jesus told us to stop worrying about what is outside our control because He is still in control.
There is a quality about GRITTY FAITH that we must come to terms with. When times get tough, we are not God. As the temptation to do something, to "fix" our lives, to get involved, and to be a savior to the circumstances.
We must step aside and let God be who He is and do what He will do.
Don't worry, He's got this. Our need to know the answer to the 5 questions can push us over the edge. You know the 5 questions. What? When? Who? How? And Where? Let it go.
Pray about everything. Tell God what you need,
What are you going to pray about? Everything. All of it, anything that is on your heart and mind. The point is that there is nothing off limits or that you cannot take to God. If it is important to you, then it is important to Him.
Now, things get gritty.
It seems that "pray about everything" and "Tell God what you need" are the same. They are not.
An old word often used here for "Tell God what you need" is "supplication." It means a heartfelt petition to God. It is passionate, urgent, and important to You.
Unload on God. Pull the trigger until you've run out of things to pray about. Let Him know exactly what is going on and how it affects you, your family, your church, your world.
If you can't remember, keep lists of everything.
If you can't keep up, get a prayer journal.
If you don't have hours to pray, break your prayer time down. Jews pray three times a day.
Don't worry so much about the details. I guarantee that what you know doesn't compare to what God knows about it.
Be emotional and let your pain or praise be expressed accordingly. It isn't a sin to cry or even to yell. You may need to rethink yelling if you live in an apartment complex.
But what is the point of this kind of prayer? Remember, we are dealing with anxiety. This kind of prayer life allows you to focus on God and not on your problems.
If you are struggling with anxiety, then may I suggest that you take some time to kick your prayer life into high gear. Before you dismiss me, here are a few truths you need to consider.
#1 - You can do it. Anyone can.
#2 - God will listen to you.
#3 - This is cheaper than medication and doctors.
#4 - What do you have to lose?
Now, Thank Him.
Huh?
It doesn't make sense because what has God done to deserve thanks?
We allow fear to rise when we focus on our circumstances too much. When that happens our ability to think clearly goes down. If our cognitive ability joins forces with our fears - it's game over.
Thanksgiving, or being grateful, redirects our minds and hearts back to God.
Thanksgiving remembers, God is my provider and helper in need.
Thanksgiving remembers what God has already done and that He is faithful in keeping us close to Him forever.
Thanksgiving is an act of faith that makes God bigger than your circumstances. It is an act of faith.
So, let's review. Pray about everything, all the time, with passion and honesty from your heart. Then thank God for what He will do, and you will …
… experience God's peace
Peace is the companion of thanksgiving. It is the opposite of anxiety. You can't be anxiously peaceful. When we disown our need to worry, we receive His peace. It isn't based on our circumstances or feelings but on our relationship with Him.
Throughout my lifetime, I have had a few friends who I could call on during times of crisis or great need. They were there, and their presence comforted me through my distress.
For whatever reason, we don't think of Jesus as a friend. Even though He said in John 15:14-15, 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. (NLT)
You focused on "do what I command." and atomically disqualified yourself because you are not "good enough." (Insert facepalm here.) Your performance doesn't determine your relationship with Jesus; your presence determines it. Show up and pray! Let Him do the heavy lifting and praise Him for it!
1 Peter 5:6-7 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)
Humility is a sign that you are a follower of Christ. You should honor Him above yourself, desire His will above your own, and give credit to Him, not yourself.
He cares deeply about your circumstances, especially those causing trouble. If you approach Him with humility, you can give Him all your anxiety, worries, and fears.
Too often, we demand that God does something. Then we wonder why all we hear is crickets, nothing. Trust Him and grow in the confidence of your faith over and over again. With every victory, worry and anxiety begin to fade away.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)
Timothy, in his youth, was a bit timid or lacked confidence. I believe all of us have been in his sandals more than once.
But Paul reminds him that he doesn’t have to do it under his own power, with his talents or skills. Whatever God has called him to, He will equip and enable us to complete by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives you power, love, and self-discipline (the foundation of a sound mind). Seek Him, and anxiety will have a very hard time taking hold of you.
Hebrews 13:6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (NLT)
Choices.
Our choices make all the difference.
Choose Jesus as your #1 source of life and hope.
Choose to reject fear as your source of life and hope.
Then, you can conclude that mankind has no hold over you because Jesus is your provider.
Joshua 1:9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (NLT)
In context, Joshua instructs the nation of Israel to follow God's commands (the Torah or the first five books of the Bible) and to be strong and courageous in the face of circumstances and situations that would cause fear and discouragement.
Then, he follows up with a reminder. God is with you all the time, and all the time God is with you.
So, let's put this together for today.
Jesus said, John 15:10, "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love." (NLT)
Then He said in Matthew 28:18 - 20, 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NLT)
The old hymn, "Trust and obey, for there is no other way…" is true. Anxiety cannot keep its hold on you when you shift your fear to faith in Christ.
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