Good morning -
It's the easiest thing in the world to do but it's strictly forbidden:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
"Be anxious for nothing"? What an outrageous concept! Who doesn't worry about something? If Paul were alive today, wouldn't he worry about healthcare, Social Security, unemployment, or global warming? Perhaps he would be concerned but he wouldn't be distracted through worry because he had discovered the divine remedy for such things: all-inclusive prayer. Rather than be self-absorbed with anxiety-producing situations, Paul mentally chose to surrender EVERYTHING through the practice of prayer. And, from personal experience, he could testify that this practice produced the incomparable peace of God in his life.
Perhaps there is no easier snare to be caught in than that of anxiety and worry. We don't have to look far to find anxiety-inducing circumstances. The real test is whether we choose to internalize them or truly surrender them in prayer.
Several years ago I learned about a "palms down, palms up" prayer experience. While sitting comfortably, with eyes closed, and in an attitude of prayer, turn your palms down to the floor as you are aware of anxiety-producing thoughts. Visualize those cares falling down from your hands as you name them before the Lord. Having done that, turn your palms up to receive the Lord's help for that situation. Continue this way until you have surrendered all that induces anxiety and you are "centered-down" and at peace.
We truly are what we think: "For as he thinks within himself, so he is." (Proverbs 23:7). The ultimate remedy for anxious thoughts is a healthy mental process. This is exactly what Paul outlines for us:
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." (Philippians 4:8).
As one who knows from personal experience, I am convinced that we talk ourselves into destructive and negative thoughts and habits. Each of us are constantly telling ourselves things about ourselves and our circumstances. With all of the negative and destructive messages around us, it is vitally important that we follow Paul's prescription for good mental - and ultimately spiritual - health.
May "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension ... guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" today.
Pastor Steve
It's the easiest thing in the world to do but it's strictly forbidden:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
"Be anxious for nothing"? What an outrageous concept! Who doesn't worry about something? If Paul were alive today, wouldn't he worry about healthcare, Social Security, unemployment, or global warming? Perhaps he would be concerned but he wouldn't be distracted through worry because he had discovered the divine remedy for such things: all-inclusive prayer. Rather than be self-absorbed with anxiety-producing situations, Paul mentally chose to surrender EVERYTHING through the practice of prayer. And, from personal experience, he could testify that this practice produced the incomparable peace of God in his life.
Perhaps there is no easier snare to be caught in than that of anxiety and worry. We don't have to look far to find anxiety-inducing circumstances. The real test is whether we choose to internalize them or truly surrender them in prayer.
Several years ago I learned about a "palms down, palms up" prayer experience. While sitting comfortably, with eyes closed, and in an attitude of prayer, turn your palms down to the floor as you are aware of anxiety-producing thoughts. Visualize those cares falling down from your hands as you name them before the Lord. Having done that, turn your palms up to receive the Lord's help for that situation. Continue this way until you have surrendered all that induces anxiety and you are "centered-down" and at peace.
We truly are what we think: "For as he thinks within himself, so he is." (Proverbs 23:7). The ultimate remedy for anxious thoughts is a healthy mental process. This is exactly what Paul outlines for us:
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." (Philippians 4:8).
As one who knows from personal experience, I am convinced that we talk ourselves into destructive and negative thoughts and habits. Each of us are constantly telling ourselves things about ourselves and our circumstances. With all of the negative and destructive messages around us, it is vitally important that we follow Paul's prescription for good mental - and ultimately spiritual - health.
May "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension ... guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" today.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 9:42 AM
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