“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.” Philippians 4:6-7
It’s
difficult to keep from being anxious when obstacles rise up all around us. We take our focus off the obstacle remover
and place it squarely on that which is making us anxious. It’s real and it’s staring us right in the
face. It could be unemployment, a lack
of finances, illness, chronic pain or a crumbling marriage. At that point in time it seems like that’s
the only thing we can see. God is still
there in the midst of it, but He becomes harder to see, blocked by temporal
circumstances, like a lunar eclipse blocks out the sun. We can refocus on God, the remover of
obstacles, or we can stay fixated on our problem(s). Paul tells us not to allow ourselves to be
anxious. No matter what we are facing,
lift it up to God with thanksgiving. Lay
your requests at the feet of the difference maker. Once you refocus on Him your anxiety will
begin to melt away and a peace that the world knows nothing of will guard your
heart and mind.
What
about the times God chooses to have us go through a certain situation rather
than remove it. That happens more times
than not, I’m afraid, but He has reasons for this. It’s to challenge our faith and cause spiritual
growth. Will we shrivel and die or rise
up and stand tall. All the while the
Lord is there with us and in us to
guide, provide and sustain us. Even in
the midst of the most ferocious storms life has to offer He is there with us to
take us through it. Being all places at
the same time He is with us and waiting for us on the other side of our
problem. Therefore, we truly have no
reason to be anxious about anything.
When you become unsettled, focus on the difference maker and not that
which stands in your way. One word from
Him and your whole situation can change.
Until Christ returns, walk with the King and be a blessing!
