Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – Philippians 4:6
Those who watch programs on renovating and “flipping” houses have seen those occasional times when changes to floorplans or other improvements have been stymied because contractors find that the building’s underpinnings are insufficient. There is no substitute for a right-sized and solid foundation, and homeowners can be perplexed when they find that theirs is not only inadequate, it is in horrible disrepair. The project then requires extra funding to get things right, and the costs are often high.
A strong foundation is essential in the life of a Christian. You cannot rely on a foundation that was established with shortcuts – one that will crack under pressure because it is not firm and solid. When storms of life come, just as a building without a solid foundation could collapse, so can the believer. Having feelings of anxiety can be one of those structure-shaking events. Theologian and author Dr. Larry Richards said, “According to the Bible, anxiety is often legitimate.” When Jesus spoke of the “worries of life” (Mark 4:19), He is stating a fact of life. Richards said, “We are living in this present world, and there are necessary concerns that each individual must attend to.”
But God does not leave you alone with your worries. He invites you to throw them onto His mighty shoulders. David says, in Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” When you make Christ your sure foundation, you have all the support you need. Thankful prayer is the antidote to worry. Pray about everything. There is no concern too big or too small to bring to the Lord. Pastor Warren Wiersbe says, “Why worry? Apply God’s Truth. … If you begin to rejoice about other, more positive things, how do you think your worries would be affected?” Prayer and thanksgiving are always timely, always necessary, and always profitable. As theologian Charles Spurgeon said, “There is no more blessed way of living than a life of dependence upon a covenant-keeping God. We have no care, for He cares for us; we have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord.”
Today’s Verse: Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 7:24-25, Philippians 4:4-9
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
