We must admit that some biblical principles or commands are easier to obey than others. There are some things I am just not tempted to do. Murder for instance. I think most of us can agree that going out and murdering someone is not a daily struggle for many of us. 

 

It’s the seemingly smaller commands that give us trouble. Did you realize that God tells us “not to worry!”  Philippians 4:6 says “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, thanking Him for all He has done.

 

There are 3 very important “commands” here. 

 

1.) Worry about nothing:

    Matthew 6:34 says “Don’t be anxious about   

tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow

too. Live one day at a time.

 

In a sense, worry is the practical expression of atheism.

When we worry, we deny the power and presence of God in our lives.  We are living and thinking as if we have no heavenly Father who cares for us, or knows the beginning from the end.

We must acknowledge that worry is a sin and an insult to God.

 

2.)Pray about everything:

Romans 8:32 says, “since God did not spare even His own Son for us,

 but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also surely give us everything else?

 

Whatever problem we face does not compare with the biggest problem we all have in common; our need for redemption.  God took care of your biggest problem….He conquered sin and death.  After solving the issue of salvation, everything else pales in comparison. He can surely take care of all your other needs.

 

 

 

3.)Thank God in all things:

Psalm 71:15 says “I can’t count the times you have faithfully rescued me from danger. 

I will tell everyone how good you are, and of your constant, daily care.”

 

Notice that the Lord asks us to thank Him in all things, not for all things.  There is a big difference. 

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I wasn’t expected to thank God for the cancer and the sickness. 

I was expected to live daily with an attitude of thankfulness to my God in the circumstance and in the affliction.  Thankfulness and gratefulness is a mindset that reflects the presence of Jesus Christ in my life.

 

There are many things in this life that we are tempted to worry about.  Don’t give in to the temptation of worry.  Know that as a child of God, redeemed by His blood and sanctified unto salvation, we are in His hands. 

We have the privilege of casting all our cares on Him and putting our trust fully in Him. 

That kind of trust will produce the peace that surpasses all understanding.  That kind of trust will replace worry with prayer and thanksgiving. 

 

This devotional was based on a portion of a sermon given by Pastor Rick Warren.