iPray
Do Not Be Anxious

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:2-7

Key Verse: Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

When God inspired the Apostle Paul to write: “do not be anxious,” God was letting us know we have the power of choice!  Whether you are a Christ follower or not, you choose how to think and how to live your life.  If you are not a Christ follower, you certainly have many good reasons to feel anxious, but it is still your choice.

For Christ followers, God wants us to live the abundant life which excludes being anxious.  This is not a feeling without merit; there are promises that it is based on.  If I allow anxious thoughts to remain in my thinking, then I am disregarding God’s promise to work “all things” out for my good (Romans 8:28).  If I permit the devil to put fear in my thinking process, then I have forgotten God’s promise that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).  If I indulge in anxious thoughts about some material need, then I have ignored God’s promise to meet all my needs according to His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19).

Join me today in determining to take control of your thinking processes.  When we become aware of an anxious thought slipping in, we can—if we choose to—deny it taking up residence.  The evil one does the suggesting of these anxious thoughts, but we determine whether to invite them in and entertain them.

Father, I will pray your promises today whenever anxious thoughts try to destroy my peace.  In Jesus’ name, amen.