Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
We all struggle with feeling anxious when we can’t change our situation or how our loved ones are struggling through difficult times. Is this verse just unreasonable in real life? When it says, don’t “BE” anxious about anything, it’s important to understand that the “BE” is meaning, staying in the place of anxiety. We see that the second half of verse 6 gives us a path to being freed from our anxiety. No matter our situation, when we worship God through prayer, and share how we are feeling about what we are going through and thank Him for His faithfulness by remembering the times He has answered our prayers in the past, then we open ourselves up to His reaching out to us in a very intimate and personal way. Only through trusting Him more than what we see or understand, do we experience the road to peace of mind.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus reminded His disciples that they weren’t victorious over their problems, but that He’s already overcome the sins and hardships of the world. If we trust Him and not our efforts, then we can come to a place of freedom from our anxieties.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?