November 18:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God – Philippians 4:6
No doubt, if you are prone to worry and anxiety, you are
probably finding this particular verse an “easy preaching,
hard living,” kind of thing. All we have to do is turn on the
news to hear the latest doom and gloom prediction of the
state of our economy, the state or our community and the
state of our world.
To bring it closer to home, you may be seeing your
personal economy impacted, today. You have been laid
off. Your business is suffering. Your home has been lost
to foreclosure. Any of the above is enough to send the best
of us into an anxiety attack.
So, what is God really expecting here? At the heart of it is
dependence. Humble dependence on God means, first, that
you trust that He knows your need. Then, you believe that
He is in control. Last, you understand His will is your best.
In light of those things, you cannot help but thank God.
Notice, this is not about denying the reality of your pain,
your suffering or your need. Make your requests known to
God. Cry out to Him. Pray. Pray. Pray. Give Thanks!
Then, what? Well, the promise is “the peace of God will
guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” Wow! I
cry out to God and give Him thanks then I experience His
real peace. Why in the world would I be anxious, then?
Give Thanks!