Be Anxious For Nothing

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.  

Philippians 4:6-7  

How should we understand the tenor of this statement? From the mouths of some it has all the comfort of a swinging baseball bat. It is very much like having someone scream, ‘I love you!’ with a rage-contorted face, only inches from yours. By contrast, if God is our Father, and by His Holy Spirit He is speaking in this verse, is that how He communicates this phrase? Consider this scenario: A father carries his small girl up to bed. He tucks her in, gives her, her favorite stuffed toy, and makes his way to the door.  As he turns out the light, the wee child says, ‘Daddy, I’m scared.’ He responds, ‘What are you afraid of, Baby Girl?’ She says, ‘I’m afraid of the dark.’ He says, ‘I understand, so I will pull up a chair and sit with you.’ She says, ‘but I’m afraid of the monsters.’ He says, ‘I will deal with the monsters. I won’t leave you alone. Don’t worry about anything.’ What did the father say? He said, ‘Be anxious for nothing, don’t worry about anything.’ These are words of genuine comfort from the mouth of a loving father. They carry with them a real peace which comes from the Giver of peace.  

Our Gracious God and our Heavenly Father,  
we rejoice in Your words of comfort and encouragement   
to Your anxious people.  
We praise You that we receive these words   
as children from a loving Father. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning