When the News Is Bad….Here’s Some Help

A friend was just diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Another friend, well into middle age, lost a job—and thus has no medical coverage and limited skills for today’s workforce.

My prodigal community is filled with hard stories—recently a mom wrote in tears because her son has left and they have no idea where he is.

The news and social media tell us daily of epidemic numbers filled with worry, anxiety, fear, suicidal thoughts.

Whatever is plaguing you, God offers some tangible help:

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)

Let’s look at these remarkable words from the Apostle Paul:

Do not be anxious about anything: Seriously? Don’t worry about anything? Surely we can try to fix a problem. Yes, and that may make a difference. But anxiety and worry never solve a problem but do stress us internally.

but in everything: Everything. Every good thing and every bad thing, whatever frightening news you have received, anything that seems hopeless.

by prayer and petition: God invites us to talk with Him about the situation—to tell him of our pain, our loss, our fears. Prayer is having a conversation with God.  Petition is a part of prayer—asking God what we should do or requesting what we would like Him to do.

with thanksgiving: Anything and everything call for giving thanks to God. When we say “thank you” as part of our conversation with God, we are saying that we trust Him, we believe He can and will do good for us. Those words—thank You—are like a key to open a locked door, letting God do what He knows is best.

present your requests to God: Again, God asks us to ask Him. What do we think would solve our problems, or rescue us, or quiet our fears? He receives our requests—and often proposes better solutions.

And the peace of God: When we are worried, anxious, fearful, what we really desire is peace—peace of mind, peace in our hearts. God says if we do the above—in everything pray, give thanks, ask—He offers peace.

which transcends all understanding: God’s peace is not just a feel-better peace, a little calming of fear and anxiety. It is a peace beyond our comprehension. It is greater than anything we can imagine—a deep and comforting and freeing peace.

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus: Our minds are capable of constructing all sorts of negative possibilities, of projecting terrible scenarios. Our hearts are susceptible to expanding fears and increasing anxiety. But our God assures us His peace will guard, protect and keep secure our hearts and minds.

Sometimes God answers our requests just as we desire. But often He leads us through the hard trial, right beside us, giving us courage and strength and hope—and peace.

What about you? What anxious thoughts or fears might you bring to Him?

C2020 Judy Douglass

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash