Philippians 4:6–9 (NKJV) — 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known
to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren,
whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are
just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things
are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and
received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be
with you.
Back in the eighties, a song came out entitle, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” A
very superficial song with a happy beat to it. Forget about all the trouble
your life may have. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Life is hard, difficult, and
sometimes impossible. We come to discover the choices we make have
consequences and consequences face reality. In today’s world life is hard.
Satan wants us to live in fear. He takes our focus on God and replaces it with
the material world. Possessions we have in this life end up possessing us.
Our focus moves from God to the trials we face in this life. We live in a
material world and it becomes not just our god, but our slave master. No
longer can we focus on God, but each waking moment is possessed with the
things of this world.
The apostle Paul gives a very simple but profound answer to our problems,
God. Whatever the need or problem is take it to God. If one truly believes in
God, trusts God, and knows the Word of God then we know God is in control.
Even the biggest problems we face do not live outside of us, they live inside
our thoughts and mind. We may say we trust God with our mouths, but our
thoughts are on the ways of the world. We trust our ways, the world’s way
not God.
God is the answer. Pure and simple our thoughts are to be on God.
Sometimes life just lays a knock-out punch on us. We lay on the canvas
reeling in agony and pain. Should I get up or just lay here for the ten count?
Paul says to focus on God! Meditate on the virtues of God and trust God to
lead you.
Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For
YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my
salvation.’”
Psalm 56:3 “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”