Don’t Worry, Be Thankful. How? Pray!
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/php.4.6/460
“How dare you tell me not to worry! Who are you to try and teach me?” Some might read this and respond like this within their cold darkened hearts, even if they are not bold enough to respond aloud or publicly or directly — misunderstanding the plea to step into freedom from such chains as a “You shouldn’t…”
As a Christian, I’m not sharing such things to condemn you.
If you love your worry and anxiety and it is your friend — if you find it is profitable and abundant in your life and meets your every need — then maybe you are meant for worry to reign over you as your master for all your life. I just don’t think that anyone who would be honest with themselves would want worry ruling over them — but what hope do they have to get rid of their captor alone and by their own power? Hasn’t it already proven to them time and time again that it is their master no matter how many times they have tried to fight it away themselves, doesn’t it return, sometimes with friends like guilt and regret and shame and depression to agonize it’s captives?
As a Christian, I’m telling you that there is one stronger than your worries — and you can meet Him through prayer.
Thank you, Jesus!
Expectations can really get us into trouble. Many times we perceive “faults” in others because we have set up in our minds how they “should” be acting or behaving. But how many times that we have fallen into offense over something someone else has done have we actually asked God His will and purpose in the situation and been still enough to hear His own answer and not or own mind’s anxious wanderings?How many times have we remembered that there is not any good in us (or “them” apart from Christ) — so that we might not set unreasonable expectations upon ourselves and others to be “faultless” in our eyes than can only see “dimly”, rather than understanding that God gives each a measure of faith, a specific gift and calling, and a purpose according to His plan?
When we have been forgiven so much, we shouldn’t be so quick to set up standards in our own minds that requires an admittedly imperfect people to fit into “our plan” of what things “should look like”.
Lord, help us send this seed to the farthest reaches, to every ear that will either pridefully reject or humbly repent. And Lord, help us to allow for the faults in others. Help us to forgive. Help us to do good to everyone — especially to those in the family of faith. Help us to not set unreasonable demands and heavy burdens in or own minds for ourselves or for others, but to be eager and grateful for whatever measure of faith we see being demonstrated in ourselves and others. Help us to run on wings like angels to share this Good News, content whether loved and appreciated and honored by others, or when they place demands or or oppression or abuse or mistreatment upon us. Let us make ourselves slaves of Christ alone, so that we can demand of ourselves mercy and love towards others, and see it flow freely like a river of refreshing waters. And even if we face false accusations or those who refuse to make alliance for or own faults, let us not speak except what you will tell us in that moment to speak. Help us to follow in your footsteps, Lord. Help us to walk with you wherever you would have us go. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 