Don’t Worry, Pray
By Rev. Everett R. Kimble, Sr.
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)
These words from the apostle Paul are in direct conflict with our human nature. We worry that’s what we do. We worry about what we are going to have for dinner. We worry about how our hair and clothes look to others. We worry about what folks are saying about us. We worry about keeping our jobs and if we are going to be able to find a new one. We worry about how our families are doing, how our friends are getting along, and if the new neighbors that just moved in across the street are going to like us. We worry about everything.
Our prayer requests come across as worry. God, will you save our loved ones? Will you heal our broken bodies? Will you deliver me from this situation or that one? God, will you provide this thing or that thing? Don’t get me wrong; it is always good to pray but not because of worry. We pray in faith knowing that God can give us just what we need. He may not always give us what we want, but you can be certain that He will “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
The biggest problem with worry is that it is a lot of work “With-Out Really Rewarding Yourself”. Worry means to choke, strangle, or torment. It does nothing to help improve your situation, but it chokes your joy, it strangles your peace, and it torments your spirit. And we all know that when we lose our joy and peace, and our spirits are all out of whack, it becomes increasingly harder for us to function. Jesus says in John 10:1, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Simply put, worry is a thief, and it will steal, kill and destroy the rich life that Jesus has promised to us all.
And here is my encouragement for someone burdened with worry, make up your mind right now that you are going to stop worrying and start trusting God. Worry signals a lack of faith and I am sure that none of us want to send the wrong signals. Remember, you are a child of the Most High God. He has you covered and even when things look really bad you have nothing to worry about.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Now shake off that worry because you are too blessed to be stressed! Have a wonderful, worry-free Friday.
