Study Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9
Key Verse: Be anxious for nothing. —Philippians 4:6
It’s impossible to wring our hands when they are folded before God in prayer.
I’ve learned quite a bit from using the Our Daily Bread devotional to aid me in my own personal devotional time, and I am grateful that I am still able to use it today. Just as I do for the other messages I write. Since I have to be sure I’m not taking credit for stuff I don’t write I want to be sure that I give credit where it’s due. So, from now on I’m going to do the same thing with these articles as I do when I use anyone else’s work.
A few years ago, our Bible-study leader challenged us to memorize a chapter of the Bible and recite it to the group. Internally, I began to protest and groan. An entire chapter, in front of everyone? Memorization had never been my thing; I cringed as I imagined long silences while everyone watched me, waiting for the next words.
A few days later, I reluctantly leafed through my Bible, looking for a set of verses to learn by heart. Nothing seemed right until I landed in Philippians 4.
I read this verse in silence, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v.6). That’s when I knew which chapter to memorize, and how to walk away from my anxiety about the assignment. – Jennifer Benson Schuldt – Walk Away From Worry
I have to admit that the first thing I did when I learned that I was called to serve God was to find myself with anxiety about how in the world God could use someone like me to do anything that was good or worth while. Since then I’ve learned with His help that I really had nothing to worry about, and that I too need to remember that when I’m tempted to get into being anxious then I need to seek the Lord.
God does not want us to agonize over future events, because worry paralyzes our prayer life. The apostle Paul reminds us that instead of fretting, we should ask God for help. When we continually take this approach to anxiety, God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds (v.7). – Jennifer Benson Schuldt – Walk Away From Worry
That’s a great word for what worry does to us, but that’s exactly what it does. When we are in worry or anxiety what that really means is that we doubt that God is able to take care of whatever it is we’re in agony over. That’s why Jesus gives us the great invitation in Matthew 11:28 – 30. He wants us to rest. He spent an entire part of His Sermon on the Mount teaching us about worry, and that we seek first the kingdom of God all those concerns will be taken care of.
Someone once said tongue-in-cheek, “Why pray when you can worry?” The point is clear: Worry gets us nowhere, but prayer gets us in touch with the One who can handle all of our concerns. – Jennifer Benson Schuldt – Walk Away From Worry
I have had my fair share of worry, doubts, fears, anxiety, and the like. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of all that. Life is much more restful, and peaceful when you take Jesus upon His offer.
