“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”- Phil. 4:6
What would you think if I said I ignore prayer, thanksgiving, and whatever commands I chose? What do you suppose God would think about that? Why then would you ignore the first part of this verse — “Be careful for nothing”? The word “careful” means “anxious”. Point is that we are not to worry or fret about anything. So why do we? Saying we can’t help it doesn’t get us off the hook. The fact that God forbids it tells us that we can forsake it. Not doing so dishonors God and defiles us. Therefore we ought to strive against it ( Heb. 12:4). But some of you are probably asking “How?”. How can we defeat it? We can win over worry by—
Confessing it as sin. We don’t have the right to mark it off the list because it is common, acceptable, or hard to conquer.
Calling upon the Lord in prayer.James said, “…ye have not, because ye ask not.” ( Ja. 4:2).. ..“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” ( Ja. 5:16).
Considering God’s goodness which leads to thanksgiving. A. W. Pink wrote, “The best antidote for anxiety is frequent meditation upon God’s goodness, power and sufficiency. When the saint can confidently realize ‘The Lord is My Shepherd,’ he must draw the conclusion, ‘I shall not want!’.”
Consciousness of its harm. When someone says, I’m worried sick” they are probably right. Worry can make you sick. It can also steal your joy and peace. Worry can’t change the past or control the future, it simply creates more problems.
Claiming God’s promises.“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”- Matt. 6:25, 33“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”– Phil. 4:19
Regardless of how difficult it seems we can win the war against worry. As Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ( Phil. 4:13). If he could we can! So why worry?
Contributing to the welfare of others.Phil. 4:14-18. The best way to help yourself is to help others. You are always best to yourself when you are good to others.
Conforming to the ways of the Lord.“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”- Phil. 4:9
Concentrating on what is seen in Christ.“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”- Phil. 4:8
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
