A Prescription for What Ails Us

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  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.  Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9 NIV)

People worry.  A lot.  In fact, sometimes I think it is the national past time.  Parents worry about their kids’ safety and futures.  Students worry about classes and what they are going to do after graduation, and whether they will ever meet the “right one.”  People worry about their jobs, the economy, and the state of the world.  They worry about getting cancer and growing old.  They worry about almost everything.

From what I can tell, this is not a new problem.  People have always tended to worry.  Jesus told the people not to worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34) And here Paul tells the Philippian believers not to be anxious about anything.  Worry, it seems, is something human beings are prone to do.  Yet, the Scriptures are clear it is not something we should do.  What to do?

In this passage we find a four-point prescription for what ails us.  We tend to focus on the negative, all that could go wrong.  Instead, Paul says to concentrate on the positive and by so doing we will develop a different outlook.  Secondly, he says that instead of being anxious about something, we should take our worries to God in prayer.  And third, he says we should recognize that God is near to us and thus in control of the situation.  We can trust Him.  Finally, he says we need put these into practice.  

When I find myself in a state of anxiety or worry, it is because I have failed to do what Paul instructed.  I become focused on the problem or fear instead of more positive things.  I am consumed by my worry, so much so that I forget to take it to the Lord.  And I fail to trust He is in control even when I feel I am not.

Today, know you do not have to be consumed by worry and anxiety. The Lord has provided you a way out of that kind of living.  And if you are worried about not being able to change your worrying ways, the same prescription applies to that, too!  

© Jim Musser 2016