“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - Philippians 4:6
I awoke this morning with my mind racing about everything I wanted to do today. I already have my official task list, but these are things that have not yet made my list. For example, I need to research Sunday's sermon; there are follow-up emails to write and some calls to make. My mind also whispers to me, “How are you ever going to get it all done?” Sometimes, it also whispers quite assuredly, “You’re going to mess up in the rush to get things done!” Amid this busyness, it would be easy to feel anxious.
Amid my racing thoughts, I read today’s scripture:” Do not be anxious about anything.” Notice that the verse does not promise that we won’t be faced with anxiety. But it does not need to own us. Instead, it provides guidance on what to do when we face mind-racing, fear-invoking situations: “Present your requests to God.”
As I continued to reflect on Philippians 4:6, I was reminded of the promise in the very next verse: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is a divine gift that comes when we surrender our anxieties to God through prayer and thanksgiving.
Remembering this promise, I thought back to other times and situations when I faced a particularly stressful week in project management when deadlines were looming, and I felt overwhelmed. Instead of trying to power through in stubbornness and sometimes destructive determination, I stepped back to take a moment to pray and presented my worries to God, thanking Him for His faithfulness. Whenever I did that, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, a peace that didn’t make sense given my circumstances. This is the peace that Philippians 4:7 speaks of—a peace that guards our hearts and minds, even in the midst of chaos.
In our daily lives, it’s easy to become consumed by our to-do lists and the pressures of our responsibilities. However, Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that we don’t have to carry these burdens alone. By bringing our concerns to God with a thankful heart, we open ourselves to His peace, which surpasses all understanding. This peace acts as a guard, protecting our hearts and minds from the anxiety that seeks to overwhelm us.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of Your peace that transcends all understanding. Help us to remember to bring our anxieties and concerns to You in prayer, with hearts full of thanksgiving. Guard our hearts and minds with Your peace and remind us that we are never alone in our struggles. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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