Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
by Christine Rebuck, VP of Financial Development
"Do not be anxious about anything..." easy to say, but can we do it? When I took time to examine this segment of Scripture found in Philippians 4:6, it was at a very "anxious" time in my life. Like many families, ours had gone through a drastic decrease in income due to economic slowness. Bills were mounting up, and my faith was being challenged daily.
I found myself hurrying through my Bible reading, but as I came to Philippians 4, it seemed my brain suddenly went into slow motion...verse 6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Several words stood out in verse 6: 1) EVERYTHING 2) PRAYER 3) PETITION and 4) THANKSGIVING.
"Everything" sure is a big word. It was meant to cover any possible thing I could ever worry about. "Prayer" is my conversation with God - our together time...He wanted to share this with me! "Petition" is asking or pleading. I learned it is okay to earnestly lay my requests - even plead - with my Lord. "Thanksgiving" - yes, giving thanks in EVERY THING. It was after all this I found the comforting words in verse 7: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
My eyes flooded with tears and my heart with joy - AND peace. No, my situation did not make a drastic about-face. In fact, it has been a very slow, upward climb. However, I know that I can have that peace whenever I need it - day or night. And so can you!
