Read: Philippians 4:2–7
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
It is one of the most common refrains of the Bible: do not worry. Living worry free appears to be an identifying characteristic of those who claim to follow Christ. Of course, it is often easier said than done. But Paul indicates that if we simply share our worries, our concern, and our anxieties with God in prayer, somehow we will find ourselves free of them. Confessing our concerns to God has a way of releasing us from the bondage of anxiety. Paul goes on to say that if you speak your concerns to God with a grateful heart, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” will settle upon you and allow you to remain calm. It doesn’t say that the source of your worry will disappear, but somehow your anxiousness will be replaced with a sense of peace from God. Confessing concerns has a way creating calm.
What worry will you share with God today?
Lord, I do feel like I share my concerns with You, but there are times I am silent. My worries so consume me that I waste time fretting instead of spending time praying. Frankly, I am not entirely sure what it means to pray thankfully in the midst of my anxiety. Do You want me to be grateful in the midst of my concerns, and if so, how do I do that? I have so much to learn . . . I need You to teach. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.