"Worried"

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6

On Thursdays when I go to the Recovery Center to minister, I always get there in time for "feelings check". Yesterday, almost all of the clients- the men and the women- and even some of the counselors were feeling worried or anxious. The Lord gave me a word to encourage them and I want to share that word with you this morning.

None of us are exempt from problems, we all have our fair share of them. We encounter problems on a daily basis, therefore, we are constantly faced with the temptation to worry or become anxious over them. In our scripture above, the word "careful" means anxious, worried, or fretful. God tells us in His word not to be worried or anxious, but He doesn't just stop there. (The one thing you can count on with God is that when He tells you not to do something, He also tells you how to keep from doing it- He always gives you the "key".) Keep reading the verse- "but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." There's the answer.

1) Pray about everything- every problem, every situation, ever circumstance, every report, every thing.
2) With supplications- pray a little more earnestly, grab a hold of the hem of His garment, don't let go, attach yourself to Him like Jacob and wrestle with Him.
3) With thanksgiving- give Him praise in spite of the problem. Thank Him for being a Big God who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all you ask or think. Thank Him for meeting and supplying all your need. Thank Him for not forsaking you or being slack concerning His promises. Thank Him for being in control.
4) Make your request to God- don't try to figure it out yourself, don't try to come up with a plan or solution, don't turn to the arm of flesh, tell God about it.

When you follow His command not to worry, when you use the keys that He has provided to help you, then there will be an end result. Verse 7, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." The end result with be peace- in your mind and in your heart. Worry will leave, anxiety will leave.

Have a great day. Don't worry or be anxious. God has given you keys to help you stop worrying and walk in peace instead.