Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Many people are anxious. This is a charge that’s easily said, but not easily done. Don’t be anxious. We all know that we shouldn’t be anxious, but often are. It’s the next steps that work or not.
The common attempts at reducing anxiety are exercise, removing one’s self from…, reading, watching tranquil shows, sharing with others, going to therapy and so on. The bible’s remedy is prayer and praise.
The first action is prayer. This makes sense as we are contacting the all-powerful, all-loving God. Both of those traits are important. God is all-powerful. He created and sustains all. There’s enough evidence to know He is capable. When we look at nature, we see perfection and beauty everywhere. That in itself is helpful. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.”
The next trait of God that helps in prayer is to know that He is all-loving. This is unique to Christianity. Manmade gods tend to be vengeful and distant. While creation demonstrates God’s wisdom and power, it doesn’t transmit His love. He had to show that. It can be seen in the Old Testament, but especially through Jesus.
Here’s an Old Testament verse, “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes”, (Isaiah 40:11). In the New Testament Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep”, (John 10:11).
These two traits of God make it easy to pray. He is more than capable, and He greatly wants to help. He created us to work in union with us. Many may have heard of His love, but they don’t grasp it. I was raised in a church, but I thought He was demanding. In fact, He seemed insatiable.
When I came to Christ I struggled with much guilt. I couldn’t do enough, and I wasn’t allowed rest. Then I heard the message of grace. I could hardly believe it. It gave me a reprieve from my demanding conception of God. I would revert back, but I would listen to the tape of the grace message again.
One verse that made a difference was 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.” That was my issue, I couldn’t give enough of myself. This verse says that God wants us to decide what we are to give, then give. He isn’t forcing us. That was my religious upbringing.
I began to apply this, along with praying for assistance. It began to sink in. A weight began to lift. It’s like my leash got longer. I enjoyed the freedom. I didn’t associate this freedom with His love. It slowly began to seep in.
Further expounding on His love, I began to connect with Him. Romans 8:15,16 says, ‘For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God’. These verses have been my experience for the past few years. His Spirit testifies with our spirit. I feel that; I feel Him. He is a constant companion. Like Eric Liddle said, “When I run I feel His pleasure.” I feel it all the time. All the noise of my life drowned Him out. It’s as if my ear wasn’t attuned to His frequency. I not only know that He loves me, but sense it.
Knowing His matchless power and His great love makes it easy to pray. Another aspect of His wisdom is His foreordination of our lives. He plans our days. Sometimes the events are good, other times they are bad. That isn’t to matter to us as we are to trust that He knows what He’s doing. We are to rejoice even in our trials. James 1:2,3 says, “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” Anxiety is wiped away.
Come what may. It’ll be His will. It may bring us anxiety, but we’ll learn to rest in Him. Which brings up the last part of the verse, to include thanksgiving. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” He completely equips us for our lives in Him. I told a nonbelieving friend that it was easy. His response was, “Don’t tell me it’s easy.” He couldn’t believe it. It’s true. Blessings upon blessings upon blessings.
Thank You, God, for Yourself and all You give. It’s so much and so good. Thank You.