Listen

Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

Think

There are so many things in this life that invite us to worry. As you are beginning a new school year, there are probably plenty of things that have already made you anxious this week.

When we are bogged down by these overwhelming thoughts, it is quite laughable when someone says, “Hey, don’t worry about it.” I get it. But, I don’t think that is what Paul is telling us in Philippians 4. Paul is writing to the Philippians from prison, encouraging them to rejoice in the Lord always. He is trying to stress that our circumstances do not have to steal the joy that we find in knowing and being known by a God that hears our cries and takes care of us. Instead of worrying, he challenges his readers to pray and tell God the concerns of our hearts. Perhaps Paul is inviting the Philippians to refocus on the truth – the truth that they are never alone in any circumstance that they face, and that God is always the source of their joy.

Kayla Oliver

Pray

Loving God, thank you for hearing the cries of my heart and knowing the weight of my worries.

Help me feel your peace and experience your joy today.

Amen.

Go

The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

Number 6:24-26 (NIV)