Have you ever had one of those moments when you feel panic about things like finances, family, work, your business or the state of our society? Many times the panic comes from the thought of something that will never come to pass. Yet if we allow it to, these thoughts can take us hostage.
Often if we allow ourselves to be controlled by fear we will pray prayers of fear verses prayers of faith. Prayers of fear does not get us anywhere, it is non-productive praying. God responds to faith!
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Phil 4:6-7 (NLT)
The word for “don’t worry” here is a word used most often in the New Testament in connection with finances, hunger or other similar basics for life provision. The picture of this word is someone who is worrying about paying their bills, someone who is worried they will not have money to purchase food or clothe his or her family, in other words someone who is worried about life’s daily necessities.
Jesus used this same word in Matthew 6:25-26: “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food and your body more than clothing?”
Jesus tells us here: “Stop worrying about your life....” Then He is very specific about what we are to stop worrying about; what we eat, drink, wear. But what’s the big deal? Why does Jesus tell us not to worry? Why did He make such a big deal out of it?
In Matthew 13:22 we see why it is a big deal to worry: “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.” Worry is so consuming that it suffocates our lives, it paralyzes us. This is a message that is so important for us in this day and time, as you face difficult situations and are confronted with news that may seem insurmountable.
When Paul wrote in Phil 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything…” He is telling us not to worry at all about the basic daily needs required for living. He is also telling us to not let the events and news of the day to cause us to panic. He really commands us here to worry about nothing at all!
So, what is it in your life that has you worried today? Is there something that is stealing your peace, something that is sucking the joy out of your life? Is there something that is causing you to live in fear? Is there something that is paralyzing you in life?
Take a few moments and “cast your cares on Jesus.” (1 Peter 3:15) He cares for you and wants to carry the weight of all of the things that stress you out – all of the things that have you worried. He wants us to live a “worry free” life.
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