Today is one of those days because of the date people are especially worrisome. They are afraid something bad is going to happen only because of the date. Is humorous as it may be to me, it is subtly fearful to others. It is not real nor is it logical on any level to be afraid of Friday the 13th. However, that is the way many Christians feel about other things as well. Christians have battled worry from the beginning. Paul gives us this comfort.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" Philippians 4:6
Paul is instructing a church that is under persecution to not fret, worry, be troubled or to be anxious about anything. If you really think about it much that we worry about never comes about.
Mothers fear dreaded sicknesses, diseases, and disasters for their children most of the time they do not happen. Business people, even with prosperous businesses fear failure, most of the time it does not occur. Many kids have a fear of failing exams and blowing projects at school, yet it rarely happens. Can any of these things happen? Of course, they can. Paul instruction is, don't be afraid only believe.
Often in small group prayer or large prayer meetings, I listen and hear many fret-filled prayers and few faith-filled prayers. Paul is challenging us through prayer to stand on God's Word and believe it. We are to have full confidence in the promises and character of God. God is not moved by our worry, anxiety or fear. We indeed are to bring those things to Him, but we must stand by faith with expectation and thanksgiving knowing He is going to carry our load, lift our burden, and meet our needs.
God has already promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has already promised to supply all that we have need of. He has already promised to lead and guide us and deliver us from our enemies. However, He has shown us we will go through the fire, flood, battles, struggles. He is always there leading us through them.
Paul is challenging us with intimacy. The better we know the Lord, His ways, and character the more at peace we can be. Paul is writing this in a way to suggest that we are bringing our concerns, fears, battles to someone we really know and love, and we are acutely aware that He loves us too! We should know Him so well that He is not only our Lord and God but our friend. Giving thanks ridding our selves of fear and concerns all the things that come naturally with intimate friends.
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