Verse of the Day
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
“Be Anxious for Nothing”
“Be anxious for nothing” definitely sounds easier said than done, but don’t worry—in this devotional we’re going to break it down.
I want you to focus on the phrase “Be anxious.” Think of this phrase more as an identity than instructions. Just like a person who does art is an artist. When we are struggling with anxiety, the temptation to allow those struggles to define us and our actions can be very strong, but this verse is telling us to respond in two specific ways.
How do Christians React to Anxiety
Our first response to anxiety should be prayer—telling God exactly what we need. Yes, God already knows what’s in our hearts before we speak a word. But when we pray, we’re actively trusting Him. Prayer isn’t just about informing God; it’s our way of laying everything down at His feet.
Remember, the Bible tells us to cast our cares on Him.(1 Peter 5:7) And we do that through prayer. When we bring our concerns to God, we’re acknowledging that we can’t handle them alone—and we were never meant to.
Thankfulness and Faith
The second response Paul teaches us is thankfulness. When we remember what God has already done—raising our faith, providing salvation, dying on the cross and saving us from our sin—our perspective shifts dramatically.
Thankfulness reminds us that God is good.(Psalm 119:68) And He does good. Ultimately, our lives are in His hands, which is the safest place they could possibly be.
The Secret to True Peace
Jesus is the one who reminds us in the book of Matthew that, “no one can add a day to their lives by worrying.” (Matthew 6:27)
Life is unpredictable. I know, not exactly what we might expect from a devotional about overcoming anxiety. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret: true peace doesn’t depend on external circumstances.
Peace is found in knowing that no matter how many twists and turns we face, we have Jesus. With Him comes the hope of salvation, the hope of the kingdom and paradise to come. Not only that, but we know that God is working things out for our good. (Romans 8:28) Our story ends with peace because we belong to the God of peace.
A Practical Exercise
So here’s what we’re going to do:
- Grab a pen and some paper.
- First, write about why you’re feeling anxious. Tell God everything.
- When you’ve completely poured out your heart, start a “thank you” list.
- Thank God for everything He has already done.
- Lay your life in His hands—it’s the safest place for it to be.
Dear friend, whatever has your heart tied in knots today, remember that the God who created the universe cares deeply about your concerns. Your worries matter to Him, and He invites you to exchange them for His perfect peace—a peace that truly passes all understanding.
Journal Prompt
List three specific worries that are weighing on your mind today. For each one, write a short prayer surrendering it to God, followed by something related to that situation that you can genuinely thank Him for. Notice how your perspective shifts as you move through this exercise.
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