Headaches do not come often for me, but I have had several headaches lately. The interesting thing is, each time, I have been hesitant to take medication to get rid of the headaches. I have dealt with the pain for hours before picking up the medication to help alleviate the headaches. It may sound insignificant, but my delay in taking medicine for my headaches has made me think. When I have the medication, why do I delay taking it? Furthermore, what else do I delay that I know will help me? Maybe you can relate to this line of thinking, too. One thing that I am continually reminding myself when worry wages war on my mind is that we have been given a prescription for worry, and that is prayer.
As we read through and study Scripture, it becomes clear that God's answer to worry is prayer. This is abundantly clear in Philippians 4:6. In this verse, Paul wrote, "Don't worry about anything." This command is bold enough and strong enough to stop us in our tracks. According to Paul, Christ's followers are called to worry about nothing. Let that set in your mind. There is nothing that Paul permits readers to worry about. I do not know about you, but I can always find something to worry about when left to my own devices. Praise God that He tells us what to do when we feel worried. The rest of Philippians 6 says, "Instead (of worrying), pray about everything. Tell God what you need." Prayer is not just a suggestion. It is a command and a lifeline for anyone who is worrying. Bringing our worries and requests to God will calm us because we are reminded of the One who is in control through prayer. We are reminded to trust God in every area of our lives.
If you find yourself worried today, take it to God. He cares about you, and He wants to calm your worries. He wants to give you peace. We have the answer for when we feel worried. Will we act on it? Will we take that prescription and go to God in prayer?
Our call today is to act on the command we have been given to pray instead of worry. Turn to God today and take your worries to Him. Pray about your worries. Ask Him to work in each of those situations you are worried about and ask for His peace.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Words of Encouragement
Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
