War on worry (2)

Knowing God has our back will help ease our anxiety. But is there something practical to do to achieve his peace? The Bible thinks so: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

There's power in praising and giving thanks to God when we're not at the top of our game. It's making the conscious decision to acknowledge how completely in control, and good, God is, despite what is troubling us. It shows that our faith isn't in the things we can tangibly grasp and fully understand, but in our God, who doesn't see with our perspective.

In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he tells them that worrying isn't going to help them. As an alternative, he says, 'Tell God what you need' (Philippians 4:6 NLT). God knows everything that's going on anyway, so why do we need to tell him? Because, like most things in our relationship with God, it's a choice. A choice to admit to him that we're struggling and to ask him to help us. Often, the healing/fixing/peacefulness comes through the conversations.



So what now? Write down your specific worries. Fold the page up, stand up and stick the list under your foot. Stay like that while you sing the most thankful worship song you can think of.





— SCRIPTURE —

'And the peace of God...will guard your hearts.' Philippians 4:7 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Eph 1:1-4:16, Matt 26:47-56, Ps 118:19-29, Pro 18:10-12