We’ve all been there, that moment when a situation looms so large, so daunting, it feels like a death sentence to our peace. Are you facing a personal crisis? Perhaps you or someone you love is facing a serious diagnosis.
At those times your mind, and I admit mine does, race with worst-case scenarios. I won’t make it through this. This will be the end of everything as I know it. How do you even begin to plan for the absolute worst? It’s at these times that your brain kicks into overdrive, desperately trying to regain control. You start to strategize. Here’s how I’ll handle this, here’s how I’ll beat it, here’s what will happen. You think that you have regained control. Then you realize that all your plans could not have prevented this from happening. situation in the first place. It's human nature, isn't it? We like to believe we can manage every facet of our lives, but sometimes, life throws a punch that knocks us off our feet.
Are you facing a really demanding situation right now? Maybe it's financial, emotional, physical, mental, in your family. What do you do when you feel utterly helpless? Aside from the relentless worrying, what’s left? Beyond all the planning, how do you simply get through the day? How can you find a glimmer of hope?
If you are dealing with these questions remember that God, in His grace, provides us with a real action plan. Here it is.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Joshua 1:5 NIV No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
2. “But in everything by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known to God.” We are invited to bring our needs, our fears, our raw emotions to God. We can ask Him for help, for guidance, for strength.
Psalms 55:22 NIV] Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV [7] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
3. “...with thanksgiving…” Even during our difficulties, we are called to thank Him. Thank Him for hearing us, for His unwavering love, for the blessings we still have, and for His promise to work all things together for our good.
Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
A heart of gratitude shifts our focus from the problem to God who is the Problem-Solver.
Psalms 9:1 NIVI will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
When we follow this plan “... the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is the promise. God steps in and gives us a peace that doesn’t make sense. It’s a peace that goes beyond our earthly understanding because God is already in control.
This peace reveals the worthlessness of worry. Worry is our limited, human understanding trying to figure everything out. Peace, on the other hand, is a divine understanding that rises above our circumstances, knowing that God has already paved the way.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God gives us an obvious choice: we can choose to worry, to fret, and to try to navigate life’s storms on our own strength, or we can choose to pray, to trust, and to allow His perfect peace to guard our hearts. One path leads to anxiety and fear; the other offers a peace that defies explanation.
Which will you choose today?
At those times your mind, and I admit mine does, race with worst-case scenarios. I won’t make it through this. This will be the end of everything as I know it. How do you even begin to plan for the absolute worst? It’s at these times that your brain kicks into overdrive, desperately trying to regain control. You start to strategize. Here’s how I’ll handle this, here’s how I’ll beat it, here’s what will happen. You think that you have regained control. Then you realize that all your plans could not have prevented this from happening. situation in the first place. It's human nature, isn't it? We like to believe we can manage every facet of our lives, but sometimes, life throws a punch that knocks us off our feet.
Are you facing a really demanding situation right now? Maybe it's financial, emotional, physical, mental, in your family. What do you do when you feel utterly helpless? Aside from the relentless worrying, what’s left? Beyond all the planning, how do you simply get through the day? How can you find a glimmer of hope?
If you are dealing with these questions remember that God, in His grace, provides us with a real action plan. Here it is.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- “Be anxious for nothing.” The very first step is a conscious choice. A firm decision, a line drawn in the sand: I will not give in to worry. Sometimes this requires repentance. Repentance of anxious thoughts and choosing God’s way. Remember, we are not alone in our battles
Joshua 1:5 NIV No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
2. “But in everything by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known to God.” We are invited to bring our needs, our fears, our raw emotions to God. We can ask Him for help, for guidance, for strength.
Psalms 55:22 NIV] Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV [7] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
3. “...with thanksgiving…” Even during our difficulties, we are called to thank Him. Thank Him for hearing us, for His unwavering love, for the blessings we still have, and for His promise to work all things together for our good.
Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
A heart of gratitude shifts our focus from the problem to God who is the Problem-Solver.
Psalms 9:1 NIVI will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
When we follow this plan “... the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is the promise. God steps in and gives us a peace that doesn’t make sense. It’s a peace that goes beyond our earthly understanding because God is already in control.
This peace reveals the worthlessness of worry. Worry is our limited, human understanding trying to figure everything out. Peace, on the other hand, is a divine understanding that rises above our circumstances, knowing that God has already paved the way.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God gives us an obvious choice: we can choose to worry, to fret, and to try to navigate life’s storms on our own strength, or we can choose to pray, to trust, and to allow His perfect peace to guard our hearts. One path leads to anxiety and fear; the other offers a peace that defies explanation.
Which will you choose today?
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