“Do not worry about anything but INSTEAD pray about everything! 

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.

It’s a part of our daily lives to have concern for ourselves and others. So often, however, our concern can turn to worry, anxiety, and fear. Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing or to not worry about anything. Does anything really mean anything? Yes! It really does. In the Greek, that word means: not. even. one. thing! I would like to figure out how to do that, wouldn’t you? Fear, anxiety, and worry can overcome us quickly and we have to fight that battle. It has the power to consumes us, controls us, confine us and cripple us. At times, we just can’t seem to clear our mind and heart from fearful, worrisome thoughts. Unguarded thoughts fuel anxiety. Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” We can even experience physical symptoms from worry. Let’s be warriors, not worriers… INSTEAD! And here’s a little battle plan:

Be in the Word of God - Daily. Early in the morning if possible (Psalm 63:1)! Gear up with your armor for the day! “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). Starting our day in the Word gets those racing, unguarded thoughts in check with the Lord as He ministers to us just what we need for the day, and we are reminded of His great love for us. You’ll find peace that passes all understanding and comfort and direction and correction and answers and hope and love and more! Meditate in His Word day and night (Pslams 1). 

Believe His Word - Every word of God proves true (Proverbs 30:5). All His promises are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). The battle is the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47). He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what you are facing today, He is with you in it, will strengthen you, equip you and is a very present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1). We may face the uncertainty of the future, but we have the certainty of the past! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). He will never fail you.

Keep your eyes on Jesus - 2 Chronicles 20:12 says, “Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” Are you at a place right now where you just don’t know what to do? Don’t let that turn to worry or anxiety. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Forecasting a fearful future does not win the battle. It weakens and confuses us. We fight from victory! Jesus goes before us. He will direct your steps. Fix your gaze upon Jesus! And you know, maybe sometimes we need to turn off the TV, the news and the daily feeds that fill us with new worries and anxieties.

Praise and thank Him for all He has done - Worship Him! Give Him the glory He deserves. He is worthy. There is nothing that drives out worry, anxiety and fear faster than praising Jesus! Fill your home and car with praise music as much as you can and worship Him at all times. Praising Him for who He is reminds us that we have noting to fear.

Love one another - Let’s have each other’s back, not tear each other down. Care about the needs of others. Love always wins.  “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” Proverbs 12:25

Prayer and Thanksgiving - Let’s turn our cares into prayers. This summer, get outside and spend some extra time in prayer: walk and pray, pray by the pool, on the ball field, on vacation, go for an early morning stroll with Jesus—whatever your method of getting to it, day or night, inside or outside: PRAY! Pray for everything and at all times. Those quick arrow prayers are powerful! When we put it all at His feet in prayer, we see that our worries are less and less as we learn to pray more and more—with thanksgiving! Spurgeon said, “One thing at a time is said to be a wise proverb, but for once I must venture to contradict it, and say two things at a time are better, when the two are prayer and thanksgiving.” 

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7).