Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
6Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Paul says we are given a command not to worry about anything. To do so we are trying to place ourselves as the one in charge and not allowing God to take charge. We are also to turn “all” areas of our life over to God in prayer, not just some. We are to tell Him what we need and thank Him for what He has fulfilled. From God we will experience His peace, which comes as a gift through Jesus. His peace is a part of the relationship we enter into with God. And God’s peace is something beyond what our human mind can understand. As our prayers are lived out through Christ His peace will stand guard like a military force over our hearts and minds protecting us from the sin that wants to enter.
How many of you worry? Maybe you worry because of problems or stresses in your life. Sometimes worry will just take over and trigger arguments, disagreements and other problems. Paul may have been writing these verses because of the problems between two women, Euodia and Syntyche. There is no description of their problem other than it was a disagreement, but obviously it was causing concern and worry, since it was called to Paul’s attention. What was Paul’s solution to the problem: 1) Put aside worries; 2) Pray about everything; 3) Tell God your needs; 4) Thank God for all He has done. George Muller once said, “ One can only expect to obtain answers to prayers which are according to the mind of God; and even then, patience and faith may be exercised for many years, even as mine are exercised, in the matter to which I have referred; and yet am I daily continuing in prayer, and expecting the answer, and so surely expecting the answer, that I have often thanked God that He will surely give it, though now for nineteen years faith and patience have thus been exercised.” George Muller was a man of faith who prayed earnestly without worry. So, why not turn your worries over to God? You know what to pray for; don’t linger in your requests.
