"BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING"

Most of us will agree that our world has changed significantly since Covid. Life, as we once knew it, has been replaced with ever increasing apostasy, violence, immorality, expressions of hatred, divorce, suicide, inflation, and government mandates that infringe upon individual rights. The stress level among adults and children has reached epidemic proportions.

The divorce rate has accelerated since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. According to a survey conducted by the Institute of Family Studies, 34 percent of married people reported the pandemic stressed their relationship. The February 28, 2022, National Law Review reported that for some couples, the pandemic has caused friction, more fights, and exposed issues that run deeper, leaving them to consider options for pursuing separation. 

Prior to the pandemic, each workday, husbands left for work and wives either went to their respective jobs or remained home caring for the children. For the most part, there was an eight to twelve-hour separation from one another. Clearly, the Covid epidemic forced many working husbands and wives to readjust their lives to accommodate staying home and working in close proximity to each other. This has created an unwelcomed and uncomfortable atmosphere that gives credence to the old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” 

We live in a culture of ingratitude, entitlement, self-absorption, pridefulness, and rebellion. When personal expectations are not met, negativity and unbelief strangle the heart and mind making it impossible to set one’s thoughts on things above, instead of on earthly things (Colossians 3:2-5). Focusing on earthly things weakens and eventually destroys faith and trust in God.

With all the various challenges before us, there is a greater need to focus on God and His Word. Whether married, single, or having lost a spouse… prayer and study of God’s Word is essential in understanding the days in which we live so that we may maintain faith and trust in God’s goodness. 

Very late in 2021, after a year laden with loss, overwhelming challenges, two months of illness, surgery, and unrelenting stress, I was experiencing the ramifications of focusing on those painful events. Instead of trusting and praising God, I had allowed my mind to get caught up in a vortex of doubt, fear, and worry. 

One day as I was seeking comfort and peace of mind, the following scripture touched my heart as never before. As I meditated on these precious words, a powerful revelation of its truth filled my soul, which led me to commit it to memory. Each time that worries, fear, or doubt come to invade my thoughts, I speak aloud Philippians 5:7-9 and carefully ponder each word:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble (moral), whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate (ponder, think) on these things.”

We can choose to focus on what is happening around us and to us, or we can focus on God, His Word, and His unwavering faithfulness to us. For He commands us not to be anxious (worry) about anything, but in every situation, we are to make our request known to Him in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.

When we thank Him for who He is and what we have, He promises to guard our heart and mind from fear, doubt, and worry through Christ Jesus. As we intentionally place our focus on God and not the circumstances, God will fill our mind and spirit with His peace and a joy that surpasses human understanding. 

How do we maintain peace and joy? God and His Word must become our focus because the right focus rejects negative or fearful thoughts. That is why we are urged to protect our mind by meditating on His Word, and contemplating what is moral, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. 

Years ago, I read a faith changing book called The Power of Praise by Merlin Carothers. When I saw the cited scriptures that call us to praise God in all circumstances, I stepped out in faith and began praising Him in (not for) every situation. Quickly, I experienced amazing and often miraculous results in placing faith and trust in Him.

My experience in praising God in every situation has shown me that praising and thanking God is an attitude of the heart. King David said he praised God with his whole heart. It was genuine and not half-hearted. He was able to praise God from the depths of his heart, even in his greatest despair.

When we praise God in a difficult situation, we are saying, “Lord, I may not understand why You are allowing this, but this I know: You love me with a perfect love, and Your Word assures me that all things work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purposes. So, I choose to trust You and not the circumstances.”

Psalm 92:1 is a call to “Praise Him in the morning; praise Him in the evening.” During the pandemic, when I should have been the most invested in prayer, I am ashamed to admit that my prayers were perfunctory and my efforts to praise Him were mediocre.

Unfortunately, neglecting my spiritual health resulted in an unwelcomed harvest of fear, worry, and a shaking of faith. Now there is a deeper appreciation for offering Him praise and thanksgiving as an expression of my deep gratitude for the privilege of being His child and knowing that I have His unwavering love and care. There is peace and comfort in believing that God receives our praises with joy, hears and responds to our prayers in His time, and captures and preserves our every shed tear in a bottle (Psalm 56:8).

Hebrews 13:15-16 instructs us to continually offer God a sacrifice of praise. And why does it say, “a sacrifice of praise?” Because there are times when our circumstances seem so overwhelming that we do not feel like praising God. That is when it becomes a “sacrifice” to praise Him. We put aside our hurt and fears, and those tormenting worries and concerns, and in that intimate moment with God, we enter His presence with worship, thinking only of Him and thanking Him for what He has provided. Only then, are we prepared to approach Him with our requests. Through Christ Jesus we are confident that God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds against the enemies of fear, doubt, and unbelief.

PRAYER: FATHER, I thank You for Your promise of Philippians 5:7-9. Help me to keep my heart and mind fixed on You and to be ever mindful in praising You even in difficult circumstances, because You make a way where there is no way. I commit to trust in Your promise that all things work together for good to those who love You, to those who are called according to Your perfect purpose (Romans 8:28). In Jesus’ name, amen.