Do Not Be Anxious About Anything, Pray About Everything

I have been pondering a passage from the New Testament in recent days:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7)

What a wonderful antidote for anxiety, worry, fear and doubt! We can either let our minds get very passive, and allow all kinds of negative emotions in, which can also affect our physical health, or we can intentionally bring everything that concerns us, to God, in prayer.

Much of prayer is turning things over to our loving Father, who cares about us, and wants to help us. He is waiting for an invitation to "go to work" on things for us. It starts with the realization that we can't handle everything on our own, and that even our best efforts, at times, just aren't good enough to turn things around.

In trying economic times, in times of difficulty and uncertainty, it's good to know there is a definite path to peace of mind and heart, no matter what's going on around us. We can learn to live independent of circumstances, instead of being blown around by ever-changing, external conditions.

This is a process, which we learn through ongoing relationship with Father. More than a formula, it is a pathway to intimacy and friendship with God, where we learn to talk to him about everything.

Friend, there is more peace available to you right now than you have ever experienced. Make up your mind today not to be anxious about anything, but to prayer about everything. And the peace of God will surround your mind and heart. What a rewarding, fulfilling way to live!