Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
Trust Issues
A family had taken their Grandma on her first flying ride, but she was nervous about leaving the ground on this contraption. After she arrived safely at the airport on her return, they were waiting to receive her. One of the younger members of the family jokingly asked, “Well, did the plane hold you up okay?” She replied, “well, yes but I never put all my weight on it!”. Many Christians are like Grandma; they are afraid to put their full weight on God. The truth is that though God entirely sustains us, some of us struggle to trust Him fully. As a result, we remain anxious and unable to enjoy the flight.
We are anxious about our finances; whether we will pay the bills at the right time; we are worried about being unable to take care of our families. Many people can not even think of what would happen if they lost their job. We are also anxious about our health, with high rates of chronic diseases and unhealthy lifestyles. We are so worried about the future of our children. Will they remain pure and stay in God as they grow up? Will they avoid drugs and sexual immorality? We want to have a complete picture of where they will work, who they will marry, and where they will live when they are just ten years old.
The Peace Of Christ
Realistically no one knows the job or career their eight-year-old will be doing when they are forty, but it still doesn’t stop us from continuous worrying (Proverbs 12:25). Well, the good news is that Jesus promised all that follow him peace. In John 14:27, He says, “Peace I leave with you; My Peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful”. Jesus speaks these words on His most challenging night on this earth, the night Judas betrayed Him. In the New Testament several times God is known as the Lord of Peace. In our text, while in prison, Paul tells us how we can experience the peace that God gives constantly.
He Cares For You
It is in Luke 8:14 that we find the reason why many people struggle with worry. In the parable of the sower, the seed that fell among thorns represents those who have heard the gospel. However, as they go on, they are choked with worries and pleasures of life. These worried believers are unable to resist the enemy’s schemes because most of them have yet to submit fully to the throne of Jesus. They are deceived into thinking that they are Christians, but they live with their focus on worldly pleasures.
Brethren, let us humble ourselves before God, cast all our wants and cares unto Him for he cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7).
King James Version (KJV)
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
New International Version (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
New American Bible (NASB)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.”