You Can Have a Worry Free Life

If that sounds like an unbelievable headline, like a promise that is made on a commercial for a “Made for TV” item that you know won’t deliver…even if you order now and get a second one free, then you are likely not familiar with the next two verses from Philippians chapter 4.  Here they are: 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Perhaps you might want to read it again…and again…even memorize it. I have.  The truth of these words has been very important to me over the years. Worry is like air…it seeks to fill any available space.  It’s not enough to simply tell yourself to stop worrying.  You have to fill “your space” with something else.  Paul says to stop worrying, “be anxious for nothing” but he gives you something else to fill that space created when you stop worrying….prayer.  That’s right…prayer…not the “thank you God for the food” or “now I lay me down to sleep” kind of prayer but a real, genuine conversation with God over the things and the people that are keeping you awake at night.  A real conversation about the requests that you have and the activity you want or need God to do.

It’s important to note what prayer will get you and what it won’t.  Please notice there is no mention of you getting the answer you want to your prayer.  There’s no mention of the answer at all.  Rather, you are promised peace, the peace of God, that will come to you and guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  A peace that passes human understanding will overtake you and come from the Holy Spirit within you.  That peace will drive away the worry…and give a good “halt, who goes there”, when worry inevitably attempts to sneak back in.  God loves you and desires the best for you.  Many times things will not go the way you want and people will make decisions that seem not to be in your best interest.  Sometimes these things are our own fault, the fault of others or no fault at all…it is simply that what we think is best is just not best.  Will you trust God’s word here?  Will you stop worrying and start praying?  Will you exchange anxiety for peace?  The choice is up to you.  I’m not worrying about what you’ll choose, but I’m praying that you will choose prayer.

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