3/19/10 Philippians 4:6-8 Fighting Worry

3/19- Philippians 4:6-8


6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

"Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear.  Is not life more important than fod, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  (Matthew 6:25-27)

(Philippian jail where Paul and Silas sang)



Thoughts: Paul could have worried about much. He had been beaten, stoned, left for dead, fed to lions, imprisoned yet he said he learned to be content. The secret in facing worry and pain- is to be thankful and to pray. Then God’s peace fills us. After that, we may change our thought patterns to think more positive things- instead of dwelling on the negative. Seeing this prison (to the left) where Paul stayed reminded me of his words that he had learned the secret of being content in any and every circumstance- well fed or hungry.  He praised God there until an earthquake freed him.  Jesus could have worried about much.  He had no home, no caravan of clothes and things went with him as he traveled.  Yet he lived a life full of trust.  The more we focus on things (that we may and will eventually lose)- what we have or what we want to have but cannot have- the more we worry.  Paul and Jesus show us the kind of faith that enables us to sing in prison, to have contentment and peace in any circumstance.

Prayer: Lord, you have been in the prisons of this world, and seen the prison of my own body. Give me grace to be thankful when I feel like being anxious.