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. Phil 4:6-7
“We’ve got some difficult days ahead.” Any history buff recognizes those words as a part of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s final and iconic “Mountain Top” speech. Yet those same words were ominously cast a couple of weeks ago by President Trump as a warning to all Americans about what’s ahead in the current fight against the corona virus pandemic. The surgeon general echoed the president’s warning comparing the next few weeks to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor.
With such grave words from our nation’s leaders, it is easy for anyone to become frightened, anxious, or even depressed. Like a burglar taking precious items from a home, fear and anxiety can sneak in to steal our peace and leave us uneasy. But Philippians 4:6 tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The verse says we should encourage one another by sharing with each other the many things we have to be thankful for. We have so much to be thankful for. So much, in fact, we can look ahead to the future with confidence. And while we look ahead with confidence, we can also confidently ask God for help with those things that we are still concerned about.
Philippians 4:7 says further, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (4:7).” Although our challenges and concerns might still be here, we don’t have to allow them to rattle us. God has promised us peace in the midst of our storms. The threat of disaster does not have to dictate our attitude or outlook. So, what are you worried about today? Do you need to experience God’s mystifying peace? Then pray, give thanks, and then tell God about your concerns. Ask Him for what you need, and He’ll give you a calming confidence that transcends human understanding.
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