Be anxious for nothing…
Philippians 4:6-7
6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (WEB)
The Apostle Paul tells us in today’s reading to be anxious for nothing. He doesn’t say ‘be anxious for only a few things’, he says be anxious for nothing. This Scripture passage reminds me of when Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 6:25 when He said… Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (WEB)
Have you ever wondered if it is even possible to be anxious for no-thing? If Jesus said it was, and if Paul reiterated the same statement, it must be attainable! While I am definitely not there yet myself, I do believe it is possible to live a life free of anxiety. If it wasn’t possible, then we would not be instructed in the Scripture to cast ALL of our cares upon God simply because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Well, if it is possible for us to live an anxiety-free life, how do we do it? In verse 6 of today’s reading, Paul tells us to make our requests known to God. I think that simply means that we dispense every burden that we are carrying and release them into our Father’s capable hands. When Peter tells us to ‘cast your cares on Him’, he is telling us that we should literally throw every care to God and release them into His hands.
What burdens are you carrying these days? Are you worried about your health? Cast this care to God. Are you anxious about your future? Throw it onto the big, strong shoulders of your heavenly Father. No worry is too big for Him to handle. The truth is that we were never intended to manage such stress in our lives, for in God’s eyes, we are just little.
My prayer today is that the Holy Spirit will give us all wisdom to know how to release every burden into His care. I pray that the end result will be a peace that passes our understanding and a deep rest that will calm even the most anxious of hearts. For God’s will for us is life and peace (Romans 8:6). May we all respond to the following invitation of our elder brother today and lay down all our burdens so that we can take His yoke instead.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (WEB)
