Weekly Infusion of Encouragement
Philippians 4:6-7 – “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.”
Stress, anxiety, worry: these are words many of us use every day. After all, what is life if we aren’t stressing over something, worried about someone, or anxious about some situation? To God, it is a life of little faith. Instead of being filled with anxiety, God wants us to rest on him, to seek shelter under his protecting hand. Instead of worrying about every last thing, God wants us to put our confidence in him and know that he will take care of us. Instead of stressing ourselves sick, God wants us to experience his peace – a peace that doesn’t make sense in a world like the one we live in. Through prayer and thanksgiving, we can cast our cares onto the Lord and can know that he will take care of them. When we give the ruler of all control of everything in our lives, we open ourselves to the freedom of joy and peace – to a life worth living.
What are some areas of your life that you try to keep under your control? How can you give up this worry to God? Who are some people you know that seem to be more stressed out than others. How can you speak words of peace into their lives? Pray for this peace so that God can guard your heart and mind from needlessly worrying over things that are already under his control. Pray also that God would make you into a peacemaker, that you would have the words and ability to bring the peace of Christ to others.