Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything!

“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

Philippians 4:6 is the first scripture I ever memorized. I was in nursing school and worry and anxiety was raging all around me and inside me (ask any nursing student.) The definition of worry is “give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.” Seasons of life bring lots of different difficulties and troubles…high school pressures, college years, marriage issues, parenting challenges, strained relationships, finances, health issues, aging parents, losing loved ones, uncertain circumstances, the list goes on forever! This scripture is the perfect place to begin to manage our worry and anxieties. I find myself in a season now daily battling anxiety as we have faced a long string of very difficult life circumstances that seems to have no end. Most days, I just want relief. We are taught here in the word how to battle this anxiety and find that relief we need. The version of Phil 4:6 I memorized in nursing school was from the NKJV. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” The next verse tells us why we need to bring our worries to Him through prayer instead of allowing our minds to dwell on our circumstances , “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NKJV

This scripture tells us that when we pray about our troubles instead of ruminating over them, we will find peace. Not just peace, but peace that passes all understanding. This peace will guard our hearts and minds in our daily lives as Christ followers. This peace will carry us through the hardest of days and biggest life storms. Instead of dwelling and focusing on the troubles or problems we are facing, when we turn our focus to God, He will carry us through our hardest seasons with a peace only He can give.

Don’t worry.

Pray.

Tell Him what you need.

Thank Him for all He has done.

Peace will surround your mind and heart.

Father I thank you for your word that reminds us to pray about everything and worry about nothing. Help my heart be filled with gratitude for the many blessings in my life and for a savior that gives me strength to hold on to hope for the future knowing that you have a good plan even when life circumstances are not going as I think they should. You have proven yourself faithful over and over. Thank you for you mercies new every morning and for peace that passes understanding in the storms of life. Amen.

Illustrations by Haley Punjak