Don’t Fret, Pray!

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

I am a “fretter”!  I hate to admit it, but the truth is I am prone to stress over things that are in and out of my control.  It is often driven by a false need to be perfect and approved.  If I don’t keep myself in check I allow my conscientious nature drift towards obsessive worry and fear.  I begin to be believe the lies of the enemy, but God has told me not to be anxious about anything.  

This means I am not going to be anxious about having a bad hair day or the increasing number of gray ones.  I am not going to be anxious about what I am wearing.  I am not going to be anxious about job evaluations.  I am not going to be anxious about my impending bill.  I am not going to be anxious about my health.  I am not going to be anxious about children or my family.    

How am I going to do this?  By following the instructions found in His word.

Step 1:  I will go to Him in prayer. I will humbly talk to my Father about my situation.  I will do so in faith because I know He loves me and hears me.  He already knows my needs ( Matthew 6:8), but talking to Him creates an intimacy in our relationship as I trust Him and worship Him.

Step 2:  I am going to petition Him.  I will ask for help from the One who has all authority and power over every single part of creation.  There is nothing impossible for God ( Luke 1:37).  So I am going to seek His face and ask Him for guidance.  I am going to trust Him.

There goes that word again: trust.  I must firmly believe that he hears me and will respond.  I am not worrying because I am trusting Him and not man our my own abilities.

Step 3:  I am going to pray and petition with an attitude of gratitude.  God has already done more than enough for me.  He sent His Son to die for me so that I can live and do so abundantly ( John 10:10).  So I am not going to Him to demand anything.  I am going to Him in love and praise for just being God; a Father I can talk to and trust with my issues.

Step 4:  I am going to be still.  The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still ( Exodus 14:14).  So I am going to wait on the Lord ( Psalm 27:14) He doesn’t need my help.  He desires my obedience as I put my faith in Him; the one who Saves.  The One who rescues.    I will remain confident that I will see His goodness (Psalm 27:13).  My “red seas” will also part.  I will walk on dry ground.  I will not drown in worry.  

Our Father did not give us a spirit of fear ( 2 Timothy 1:17)  So we can rebuke worry or anxiety.  We can cast our cares unto Him (1Peter 5:7).

Father thank you for loving us so much.  Thank you for opening doors and closing the ones that we need not enter.  Thank you for your guidance and patience.  I confess that I have allowed myself to worry.  Forgive me and help me through your Spirit to overcome anxiety as I trust and wait on You Lord.  May I follow your Word and be freed from this stronghold.  In Jesus name. Amen