God with us - Week 33: Philippians 4:6-7 (Part 2)
Today's blog follows up Monday's post about Philippians 4:6-7.
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
I am definitely still "under construction," but reviewing the "Don't worry" blog series has been a real eye-opener…in a good way!
More than anything, I am thankful.
As I've read through the blogs I wrote two years ago and reflected on the circumstances surrounding them, I'm amazed how God has changed me in this area. The situations I worried about two years ago have changed dramatically, and so many prayers have been answered. Yet, so often, I push onto the next prayer request, focus on a different area for growth, and forget to take time to see how far God has brought me.
Have you had the chance to stop and reflect this week?
If you think over the past couple of years, how has God shifted your perspective on worry?
"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."
Maya Angelou
We started the week with this quote, so here's a quick update on what I "know better" and "do better" when it comes to worrying.
Don't worry
Worrying is no longer my default setting. I may get concerned, but I don't let that concern take hold. It takes discipline, but I choose "not to rehearse the chaos of the world" (Max Lucado) mainly because it's completely pointless and achieves nothing.
"Peace is within reach, not for lack of problems, but because of the presence of a sovereign Lord.
Rather than rehearse the chaos of the world, rejoice in the Lord's sovereignty, as Paul did."
Max Lucado
Instead…
Choosing a different option from worrying is by far the main area of growth for me. I've seen firsthand what happens when I convert worry into prayer. The answered prayers that concerned me when I first wrote these blogs confirm that God is with me in every situation I face. My mentality now is that if I've got time to worry, then I've got time to pray!
"God can handle your doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions.
You can bring everything to him in prayer."
Rick Warren
Pray about everything
If one of my children came to me with a concern, I wouldn't point out how my other child was facing a tougher situation! There are lots of people who have a lot more to worry about than me, but God still wants me to come to Him. Belittling my situation was never productive, but I still did it anyway. These days I'll pray about anything and everything regardless of how important it seems. Despite not understanding why some prayers are answered, and others aren't, I've seen the difference that prayer makes.
"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden."
Corrie Ten Boom
Tell God what you need
God loves me! He is with me every day and knows exactly what I need.
"So what's the point of asking Him for anything if He already knows what you need?"
For me, it's all about relationship. It's about communicating what's on my heart to the only one that can do anything about it. I always feel better when I've asked God for what I need, even if He chooses a different path for me.
"True prayer is a way of life, not just for use in cases of emergency.
Make it a habit, and when the need arises, you will be in practice."
Billy Graham
Thank Him for all He has done
This is still an area of growth for me, and if we come back to this in two years, then I want to be able to tell you I've improved. It's not that I'm not thankful, I just tend to rush onto the next thing all the time or get bogged down dealing with the current situation. Instead, I need to continue to carve out moments to stop, reflect and, most importantly, be thankful.
"God is in control, and therefore in EVERYTHING I can give thanks - not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it."
Kay Arthur
As God has worked in this area of my life, I've experienced glimpses of God's peace, something I never thought I'd experience. In the future, I pray that those glimpses will grow and fill every aspect of my life.
I pray the same for you as well.
I hope you've enjoyed revisiting these verses.
Before I go, take a moment to answer these questions:
How have you dealt with worry in the past?
Now that you "know better," what do you "do better"?
What aspect of these verses is still challenging for you?
6 Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, 7 then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 (TPT)
Kay Moorby
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