JULY 8
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 to 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 possible to be anxious for nothing? If Jesus said it was, and Paul repeated the same message, then it must be achievable! While I am not there yet myself, I do believe it is possible to live a life free from anxiety. If it weren't possible, we wouldn't be instructed in the Scripture to cast ALL of our cares on God simply because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Well, if we want to live an anxiety-free life, how can we do it? In verse 6 of today's reading, Paul instructs us to make our requests known to God. I believe that means we should release every burden we carry and entrust it to our Father's capable hands. When Peter tells us to 'cast your cares on Him,’ he is urging us to literally throw every worry to God and surrender it 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. We were never meant to carry such stress in our lives, for in God's eyes, we are just little.
Today, I pray that the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to release every burden into His care. I pray that it results in a peace that surpasses our understanding and a deep rest that calms even the most anxious hearts. For God's will for us is life and peace (Romans 8:6). May we all respond to our elder brother's invitation today and lay down all our burdens so 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)
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 to 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 possible to be anxious for nothing? If Jesus said it was, and Paul repeated the same message, then it must be achievable! While I am not there yet myself, I do believe it is possible to live a life free from anxiety. If it weren't possible, we wouldn't be instructed in the Scripture to cast ALL of our cares on God simply because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Well, if we want to live an anxiety-free life, how can we do it? In verse 6 of today's reading, Paul instructs us to make our requests known to God. I believe that means we should release every burden we carry and entrust it to our Father's capable hands. When Peter tells us to 'cast your cares on Him,’ he is urging us to literally throw every worry to God and surrender it 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. We were never meant to carry such stress in our lives, for in God's eyes, we are just little.
Today, I pray that the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to release every burden into His care. I pray that it results in a peace that surpasses our understanding and a deep rest that calms even the most anxious hearts. For God's will for us is life and peace (Romans 8:6). May we all respond to our elder brother's invitation today and lay down all our burdens so 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)