I was deeply impacted by Sunday’s message from Tim Hunter, Executive Director of Keys to Living Christian Counseling Center on August 11, 2024. If you missed it, you can still catch it on YouTube..
In summary, Philippians 4:6 instructs the believer to not worry. To not worry about anything. At first that can seem both harsh and unrealistic. We live in a very troublesome world. It is not difficult to create a list of things that are fearful: wars, political strife, employment instability, difficult relationships, declining health, aging parents, the stock market. Even starting a new school year can be scary.
We are advised to not worry anyway. Why? Because worry doesn’t help. Worry doesn’t change anything. It’s not effective or productive. In fact, worry is harmful to us: body, mind and soul. That’s why our loving Father tells us to not worry.
If we are faced with a fearful situation, we’d be wise to take actions that are helpful and effective. If worry is not the right path, what is a viable alternative?
We find the answer in the second half of Philippians 4:6. We don’t like this answer. It seems too simple. It feels like practically doing nothing. It says: “…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Worry about nothing. Pray about everything. I’ve seen that on a t-shirt somewhere.
If we worry automatically it’s because that’s what we’ve been practicing. What if instead, we were more practiced in prayer?
These amazing quotes encourage my heart to practice the way of prayer instead of worry:
Oswald Chambers: “We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.”
Charles Stanley: “When trouble comes, focus on God’s ability to care for you. It’s easy to worry when the storms of life come, but prayer redirects our focus to the One who calms the storm.”
Anne Graham Lotz: “The purpose of prayer is not to get what we want but to learn to want what God gives. In the midst of crisis, prayer aligns our hearts with God’s will and brings His peace.”
Charles Spurgeon: “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages. Prayer is the best response to a crisis, for it puts us in touch with the One who is sovereign over all circumstances.”
Whatever tempts you to worry this week, I am praying that you are reminded to turn your attention away from the problem and cry out to the Problem Solver! He alone cares enough and is powerful enough to save.