Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. ” This is a wonderful verse, as applicable today as any passage in the Bible. Paul says we shouldn't "worry about anything." That's a perfectly accurate translation of the Greek. However, the word rendered "worry" here can also with perfect propriety be rendered "anxious" or "anxiety filled"-as it is in many translations.
In a day where so many battle anxiety, depression, fears, and the like; Paul gives some helpful counsel. He's not saying to someone with clinical anxiety "Hey, just have faith. Don't worry!" That would be a terrible thing to do. And Paul is not suggesting that those who believe should live lives with zero concern about anything. No, what he is telling us is that we should not live lives where we are constantly uneasy, paralyzed by fears of what we see happening around us, or having a vivid paranoia about all of the things that could happen-but actually haven't, and most likely won't.
While Paul was certainly familiar with people who were depressed on extremely anxious, he suggest that we also take the time to let God know about those anxieties, and how we need Him to help us with them-in part through directing us to a good counselor or therapist, and certainly through the grace and aid of Jesus Christ. Pray to God, Paul counsels us. Tell Him what's debilitating you. Beg that He help you to not be crushed by your anxieties. And give thanks that He has brought you this far.
If you know the feeling of anxiety and how crimpling it can be-or if you know someone who battles it-remember Paul's words, and "don't worry," but in every anxious moment, and in "every situation," talk to God, let Him know what you're struggling with and what you need. And, in an act of incredible faith, maybe even "thank Him" for the miracle that's about to happen, even before it does. And then step back and watch God perform miracles in your life.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
