Daily Devotional

There is a lot going on in our world today that can cause us to experience anxious moments and worry.  When we become anxious about something, our thoughts fixate on the problem or issue and not Christ.  In a sense our mind becomes divided.  God has not designed us to live that way and to carry these anxiety producing problems ourselves.  When we become anxious, our mind focuses on our anxiety producing problem instead of on Christ.  I don’t know about you but when this happens in my life, I feel that God is distant and is not concerned about the problems I face.  Anxiety has clouded my ability to see Christ.  He is there all the time, to help me and to give me peace during my problems.  In those anxious moments, I need to remind myself of what the Scriptures say, “…The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”   (Philippians 4:5–6)  
 
The Apostle Paul encourages us to remember that God is nearby. He is present, right here and now in our lives.  He understands the situations and problems we face.  He wants to be intimately involved in helping us to deal with them.  God is not aloof but is ever present, knowing exactly what we need.  

With that in mind, Paul encourages us to do four things.  First to pray…this is the most frequently used word for prayer in the New Testament.  The root idea of the word is worship.  We need to see God as being bigger than our problem or situation we face.  When anxious thoughts overwhelm us, take time to worship the Lord.  Focus our mind on Who God is and express that to the Lord through songs and words of praise.    

Second to supplicate… to cry out for help from God.  We must bring our needs and the needs of others before God when we do not know the answers.  When our words cannot express fully the need of our heart, we cry out, “Lord, help me!”  Help me to know what to do or say in this moment!  God will hear and understand the need of our heart.    

Third to give thanks… to give thanks for the things God has done in our lives in the past.  This causes us to focus on the reality that God has always been there for us and has never failed to take care of us.  Through giving thanks, we realize God will meet our need.  He has never failed us in the past and He is not going to fail us now.  The Scriptures reassure us that, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV) By giving thanks, we are reminding ourselves that God will be there for us today.  

Fourth to make request… asking for a known need from God.  We present our need to God, allowing Him to answer however He knows is best...according to His will.  I am so thankful that all things are in God’s control.  We present our known needs to God and then relax in His love, strength and provision.  God has got this, and I can trust Him.  My anxious thoughts and worries are not going to resolve the problem.  I will fully trust Him, for He is forever faithful!

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that You care for me beyond anything I can fully understand.  Help me when I begin to be anxious or worry to fix my focus on You.  You are so much greater than anything or any problem I will ever face in this life.  Help me to see more fully Who You are and to rest in that reality.  Amen

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.