Worry Part 5: The Aim
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7.
Before we were married, when my wife knew she had feelings for me, she approached a friend to let her know for accountability and advice. The advice that came back was very simple. 3 words: “Guard your heart!” Apparently this is also the goal of the peace of God in our lives. Here’s how it works: when you dwell on any one thing for an extended period of time, you start to have thoughts and feelings associated with it, whether good or bad. That’s how God made us as human beings. We arrive at conclusions simply by dwelling on something for sometime. If we continue worrying about something our hearts and minds can simply settle on discouragement, disillusionment, resentment, anger, fear, and the list goes on. It then starts to make sense that God’s alternative, his peace will play the role of guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Suddenly verse 8 (the very next verse) falls into its place as well: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” As you can see there is much to do instead of worrying. Praying, giving thanks, thinking about and pondering anything that falls into these wonderful categories of Phil 4:8. As you can imagine, this is where memorizing Scripture comes in as well. This will protect our hearts and our minds from all the rubbish that stains and ultimately destroys our lives. And remember, our hearts and minds are guarded in Christ Jesus. His death on the cross made it possible for the peace of God to be ushered in to our lives. Thank him for this and make a point to catch your mind when it tries to dwell on worry. Purpose to dwell on what is good and healthy.
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<blockquote>Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23</blockquote> In the New Testament we read that out o
<blockquote>But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Mat 6:33</blockquote> The story start
<blockquote><sup>31</sup> So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” <sup>32</sup> F
<blockquote><sup>31</sup> So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” <sup>32</sup> F
<blockquote><sup>25</sup> ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. I
<blockquote>And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.</
<blockquote><sup>6</sup> Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
<blockquote><sup>6</sup> Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to