State your problem...

There’s a verse in the book of Philippians that tells us just what to do with the stuff that bothers us so.

Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

“Do not be anxious about anything.” That’s a pretty tall order. There are so many things in this world to worry about.

“Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my! Loans and tee ball and bills! Oh dear! Lines and tivo and boys! Oh no!” (My apologies to the folks in Oz.)

How can we not stress just a bit?

“Do not be anxious about anything.”

All anxiety belongs to God. You are his child. He cares for you.

“Do not be anxious about anything.”

Instead, “in everything, by prayer and petition…present your requests to God.”

Problems with relationships. State your need. Problems with school work. State your need. Problems with finances. State your need. Problems at work. State your need. In everything – that leaves nothing out – state your need.

“This guy at work is making my life Hell. How do I deal with him?”

“God, I’m struggling with geometry. Help me to remember what I’ve learned.”

“Here are our bills, Lord. How are we going to pay them?”

“My wife doesn’t understand your love and it makes her angry. How can I help you help her know your grace?”

By prayer and petition present your requests to God. Prayer is the state your need part. Petition is the trusting question part.

You caught the important word, right? Trusting. Trusting even when life doesn’t make sense. Trusting even when questions fill your mind. Trusting even when stress threatens to undo you.

State your need and ask trusting questions. Prayer. Petition.

And do it all with what? With thanksgiving, right? I love how God snuck that phrase into this set of instructions on prayer and anxiety and all.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

In a bad situation? Pray. Give thanks. In good times? Pray. Give thanks.

And what will be the result of presenting all this to God with thanksgiving?

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Peace is God’s promise to all who are not anxious about anything, to all who present their requests to him with thanksgiving. You want to live without fear? You want to be free of worry? You want to live anxiety free? God’s told you how. In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. That is the path to peace – peace so amazing it will blow your mind.

Are you ready to take God at his word and put what you’ve learned into practice? It’s time to act. It’s time to take our problems to the Lord and get that peace that passes all understanding. You want that right? You’re tired of losing sleep over troubles you can’t seem to fix. I know I am.

So pray and petition God. State your problem to him. Ask him trusting questions. Remember, no complaining. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Now give thanks. God is in control. He can handle what you’ve given to him. Give thanks for the work you know, by faith, he’s going to do. Give thanks in your circumstances.

You can take this with you wherever you go. You can obey God’s word every day this week. You can bring every need to him, stating it to him and trusting him to deal with it. You can thank him for his goodness and care. You can have peace.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

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