Be Anxious for Nothing
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
My daughter has been falling asleep at night to the sweetest scripture lullabies, and every night, as I sit in the chair in her room and wait for her to fall asleep, I hear Philippians 4:6-7 sung over her and me. This verse has been an important one for me for most of my life, and I’m always encouraged and filled with peace as I read it.
I am a worrier, whether it’s something small or something serious, and my little anxious heart needs to be reminded repeatedly that there are better things for me to do than spin my wheels worrying about what is out of my control. This verse reminds us that instead of worrying about the circumstances of our lives, we can pray and tell God what we need, and at the same time thank Him for all He has done.
When I do this, and take the time to recall how God has already been good to me, my anxiety slows and I can relax a bit more, knowing that God has carried me through so many seasons and situations and He will gladly do it again.
This is the beautiful thing about choosing to follow God: we never have to go through life alone, figure out situations on our own, or pull ourselves up by our bootstraps or “get over it” when we are overcome with fear. Instead we can pour out our hearts and then rest knowing that we have a loving Father who loves to draw near to us and who will work every situation out for our good and His glory.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious today, know I’m praying for you, and I hope you take a moment to share with God what you’re feeling and then recall how He’s already been so good to you. May His peace, which is able to fill us even when it seems impossible, guard your heart and mind, and may you feel deep in your bones how much you are loved.