“Do not worry about anything…”
Worry. I worry. I worry a lot. I worry like it is my job. I come from a long line of worriers. It practically runs in my blood, this worry. I worry about everything. I worry about things that have happened, things that may happen, and things that will happen. I worry about things I can control and things I can’t control. When I can’t find any reason to worry about my career, I worry about my health. When I can’t find any reason to worry about my health, I worry about my friendships. When I can’t find any reason to worry about my friendships, I worry about my marriage. When I can’t find any reason to worry about my marriage, I worry about my family. Sometimes I even worry because I can’t think of things to worry about. Worry is part of who I am.
But this morning, I read this:
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.
So what does a worrier do with this? Don’t we all want something to guard our hearts and minds from worry? I know that I do. Is prayer enough to do that?
I pray about the things about which I worry. But honestly, I don’t often feel a peace that surpasses understanding as a result. Why? Perhaps it is because although I pray about the things about which I worry, I rarely surrender them to their outcomes. I essentially tell God, “OK God–here is what I am worrying about. I’m not really ready to let go of all this worry yet though, so I’m going to keep working at it.” As if my worry will affect the outcome. As if I gain brownie points for my worry. As if God honors my worry.
Maybe what this verse is telling us is to make our requests known to God and trust that He will do the right thing with the request. Really trust. Trust to the point that you know you no longer have to worry about it. Surrender it.
Maybe the peace is not automatic. Maybe we have to accept the peace that passes all understanding that God offers. Accept the peace that God will handle your request appropriately whether you understand it or not. Accept the peace that comes from knowing that you have done all you can do. Accept the peace that comes from knowing that you have turned your worry over to the One who can really do something about it.
And move on.
Move on? How do we move on? How do we move past our worry?
Paul tells us in the next few verses how we can move on.
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8.
If these are the things about which we are thinking, what is there about which to worry? Right?
Dear God, help me trust you fully so that I need not worry.
