No Need to Worry...🧎🏿‍♂️

A Devotional Thought 💭

Philippians 4:6-7 ● "Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus."

Because the Lord is at hand, or is about to return (Philippians 4:5), believers should set their lives and thoughts in certain ways. Paul begins with a contrast between anxiety and prayer. He notes believers shouldn't be "anxious about anything." This does not imply a complete lack of concern. Nor does it mean Christians are to be careless. Instead, it means that believers should not be fearful, paranoid, or uneasy. Why not? Believers can speak directly with God, the maker of heaven and earth, who has all power and authority, who is in total control of the situation.

Instead of anxiety, believers are to humbly and gratefully approach God with whatever is on their minds. Mature prayer includes thanking God for what He has done in addition to asking for help in areas of need. This is the Christian prescription to reduce anxiety in all areas of life. This does not mean believers are going to live a worry-free life. Nor does it mean additional help won't be required. However, it does show that addressing problems in our lives should begin with prayer.

Feeling anxious? God tells us to pray about everything, bringing every concern to Him. As part of our prayer time, He instructs us to be thankful, to have gratitude because He knows how powerful it is to pray with the expectation of God's goodness and grace.

Dear Lord,

Thank You that You know all things and that You know everything about me.

Thank You that You hold today in Your hand and my future is secure in You.

Thank You that I can cast all my cares upon You - for You care for me.

Keep me from anxious thoughts and help me to train my mind on Jesus for I want to depend on You in all things, not only today but in the days that lie ahead.

This I pray in Jesus' name...

AMEN 🙏🏾