I hope that you are enjoying our “guest bloggers” for 52 in 2020. I have had the privilege of getting to preview the posts first. Wow! Every time I read the post for the week, it has met a need in my life. This weeks has really hit close to home for me. It’s scan time very soon–the 24th to be exact. Every three months I get checked for cancer. I do really well with not worrying until I get close to going and then I begin to stress about the possibilities. I love how these verses don’t give us the option–it gives a command. Be prepared to accept the challenge given to us by Valerie Howard. I’ve known Valerie for about 10 years (if my memory serves me right.) She is a precious lady who loves Jesus and has a very sweet heart. She accepted the challenge to write about how God has used these verses in her life, and I am grateful she has words of wisdom to share.
Read on . . .
Philippians 4: 6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. NLT
I remember memorizing this verse as a young teenager. I memorized a paraphrase called The Living Bible. The first part of verse 6 read the same as the NLT version above. Don’t worry about anything. Since then, I have read many translations and commentaries on these verses. Worry, anxious, concern, cares, fret and busy are all words that boil down to the same concept. We are told not to worry. It isn’t a suggestion—it is an imperative statement. Don’t worry. The doctor tells me, “Something isn’t quite right with your blood tests. We are doing more tests. You should have the results in a couple of weeks.” My company tells me, “Your position is being eliminated. But, don’t worry, you’ll have 25% of your current salary to live on because you are eligible for retirement.” My adult child says, “Mama, life is too hard. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” There are so many things in life that can cause deep anxiety and uncertainty filled with runaway emotions and stomach clenching concern. To obey God in these situations, I must not be overly concerned or anxious. So, how do I not worry?
I don’t know about you but if I stop doing something, I may need to replace it with something else. God, in His perfect wisdom, doesn’t leave us hanging without telling us what can replace our worry. Instead of worrying, we are told to pray about everything, telling God what we need. Now, you and I both know that God knows better than we do what we need. So, why does He want us to tell Him? Simply, He wants us to acknowledge that He can and will provide for us. Not only can He take care of our needs now, He has done so in the past! He is sovereign and able.
Next, we are instructed to thank God. Now, I love lists! To do lists, grocery lists, wish lists, and book lists are some of the lists that I add to my calendar/journal daily. One of the things I always try to include in my lists of lists is my “thankful list”. He has done so much! When I have a heart filled with gratitude, worry transforms into worship and the focus switches from my needs to God’s sufficiency.
There have been many changes in my life in the past three years; retirement, my husband’s failing health and ultimate healing in heaven, a parent changing addresses from earth to heaven, making major financial decisions without my spouse, addressing car and home repairs on my own. I haven’t always been successful at avoiding worry but when worry appears, these verses that were memorized more than 40 years ago are recalled. Then, I create lists that become prayers with gratitude and my worry develops into worship. Then, you will experience peace. That is the promise of verse 7. Peace that can’t be understood or explained. Amazing peace that calms your heart and mind in spite of circumstances and situations that can create deep worry and anxiety. I’ve experienced that peace and I’ve recognized it in other believers who obey this scripture. Peace, when it isn’t logical to have peace instead of being anxious.
I have a challenge for you. Write down everything and every situation that is causing you concern. Make a list. Then, write a prayer about each item on your list. Transform your worry list into your prayer list. Date it! Additionally, write three things to be thankful for in each area of concern. Do this daily for one week. Memorize this scripture and ask God to bring it to mind when life gets tough. Watch and see how the Lord works in each of these concerns—be blessed!
Valerie
So timely and relevant! Thank you for the reminder of what our to-do list should be in these times. Blessings…