Philippians 4:6,7: Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.How many times a day do we have an opportunity to be anxious and stressful? Maybe I should be anxious about a difficult situation at work or school? What about that nagging relationship that is always difficult? Or a car that never wants to run? Or even the economy? In the context of Philippians, Paul was in bonds; some Christians were teaching Christ out of contention and strife; they were not being likeminded on God's Word. And even though some preached Christ out of love, surely all that contention would justifiably cause mental distractions and anxiousness.
But according to God's Word, what should we be anxious about? NOTHING.
Then what can we do instead? We can choose to turn to God in prayer. "...but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
"In every thing," not just some things. God isn't just for Sundays; He cares about every part of our lives, every day of our lives. Is it mundane or dramatic; is it minor or cataclysmic? Whatever the situation, God does not want us anxious; He wants us to pray. "By prayer and supplication" indicates by general prayer to God and by requests for specific needs. We can do this "with thanksgiving" when we understand just a few things about prayer.
1John 5:14-15: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.First of all, we want to pray according to God's will. Then we know He hears us and whatever we ask, according to His will, we receive. God's Word tells us God's will. So as we pray according to what He has promised us in His Word, we know, not question or doubt, that we have our answer.
Jesus Christ taught that in order to receive answers to prayer, we must believe.
Matthew 21:22: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.So when we are faced with being anxious, instead we can go to God with requests for specific needs, according to what He has promised us in His Word. As we believe His promises, we know we have the petitions we desire of Him. Of course we do it "with thanksgiving!"
Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Aahhh, the peace of God! It is more excellent than every way of thinking and it "shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Be anxious? Not necessary. Every day, every year, God has a better idea!
