weekly verse: Philippians 4:

For the last few months I have found myself worrying about a specific situation that was out of my control.  I have prayed fervently about this issue, all the while never really surrendering it to the Lord.  All the while keeping a grievance in my heart, and even a few times allowing this issue to become a source of conflict between me and my husband.  Only to find that today, this issue has been resolved, that God had it figured out all along, that He was in control, and that all of my worrying was for NOTHING.  Oh, when will I learn how futile worrying is?  When will I learn to follow Paul's words to the Philippians?  This brings me to my memory verse for this week... I think I need to spend a little more time understanding and carrying out Philippians 4:5-7.

Philippians 4:5-7 Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

First of all let's remember that Paul wrote these words from jail.  That he had a lot that he could be anxious for, that his circumstances from a worldly view would have looked very dismal.  But Paul understood the Spiritual view, he understood that God was still in control, that God was still using all circumstances for the good of those who love Him.  He was able to write just two verses earlier to "rejoice always!".  Can you imagine rejoicing from jail?  I can't imagine that rejoicing would be my first (second, or tenth) reaction to being behind bars. 

These verses say to be anxious for NOTHING!  But to make our requests known to God, and to do so with THANKSGIVING (again, thanksgiving from jail?).  I have to admit that being thankful for dismal circumstances does not come easily to me.  But I do know, and have experienced, that when I seek God with thanksgiving amidst dismal circumstances my circumstances suddenly become insignificant.  In the light of the cross they fade away.  When I realize how much I have to be thankful for and how much God has already done for me I realize that really nothing else is needed.  I learn to trust.  I learn to obey.  And I experience the beauty of God's peace.

Perhaps my recent trial wasn't as much about the situation or outcome as it was about God wanting to teach me to trust Him more.  About Him teaching me to be patient in prayer for months before He finally answers me.  About Him showing me that although I have no control, He has all of it.  And that is all such a beautiful thing!

Shannon