The challenge each of us continually faces is “Who is in control in my life?” Is it God or do I have to rely on my own efforts?
If the Lord really is #1 in my life, then I must resist my natural tendency to be afraid. I can do this by drawing aside from the situation and bringing it to God in prayer.
In Philippians 4:6-7, the Apostle Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When I quote this passage from memory, I often tend to leave out the words "with thanksgiving." But those two words are the key. If we are truly giving thanks for what God has done, it is nearly impossible to doubt what he can and will do in the future. So those two words, "with thanksgiving" are essential in not being anxious, but in letting our requests be made known to God, or in the words of 1 Peter 5:7, "casting all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you."
Prayer is our way of saying, “Heavenly Father, I know you love me and I know you want to guide me in the situations where I need your help.”
Jesus didn’t worry. Instead he used to regularly draw aside to pray—to spend time with his Father.
We, as Jesus' disciples, would do well to follow his example and learn to bring our fears to our loving Heavenly Father.
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