Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:6-7
I must admit as much as this post may seem to be written by someone who has it all together, I assure you that I am just as flawed as the next person. One particular area that I struggle with (and I believe many others do also) is the area of worry and stress. I am in the military and for those of you who have served our country (thank you by the way), you would completely understand the non-stop, stressful routine it can often times be. Part of being a good service member is your ability to cope with stressful situations. However, after two major wars, the number of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients has grown exponentially. Counter that with the fact that we live in a time of a struggling economy where many families feel the weight of financial pressures, looming debts and a divorce rate that is higher than it has ever been. Churches are dividing from within and preachers are swayed by worldly influences in regards to doctrine. Children are turning away from their parents, parents are slothful in their duties to their children and families are being torn apart. America, a country founded on the principals of unity, is now more divided than ever over political and religious ideology. All of these situations plus many more, can create one horrible concoction of worry and anxiety on people.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. – Matthew 6:25-34
You may say, “Well gosh Blake, I wasn’t that worried, but now you have me more worried than ever,” but the point of this post is not to cause you more stress and worry, rather it is to bring you peace and hope. You see we often forget that the temporal problems of this world are just that, temporary. Issues in this world will rise and fall just like the tides of the oceans, but one thing remains constant, God is in control! We have to take our eyes off the issues of this world and place them on the values of eternity. Worry is defined as, “to give way to anxiety or unease; to allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.” Why are we dwelling on issues that we usually have very little control over. Today I am begging you to let go and to let God rule your life.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19
You may be thinking, I can’t just let go. I’ve been hurt or I have hurt someone and I can’t get over the guilt. I can’t pay my bills, I am on the verge of a divorce, my child is living against the Will of God and I just can’t let go. I would point you to the place that is the source of infinite wisdom, the Word of God and it tells us:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
The last thing I want you to remember my friends, is that the battle for eternity is already won. This life, through its mountains of issues is nothing but a staging area for the eternities. When you place your life in Christ you have got to place your anxieties and worries on Him, and know he is sufficient and mighty to save. Though this world may seem dark at times just remember these Words:
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31
Set aside your worries today and know that God is in control of everything. Amen!
Have a blessed day!
