"Do Not Be Anxious..." But, How???Sample

Don’t Forget Thanksgiving

Let’s go back today to the Scripture that we’ve been deep diving into Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4: 6-7)

Wedged into those verses is that small but powerful word, “thanksgiving” — a word that seems to be completely disconnected from anxiousness. In fact, being thankful in the face of fear seems odd, possibly phony. Is Paul recommending that we ‘fake it till we make it'?

No. We see multiple references in Scripture to how much God hates pretense and posturing. But in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul again says to give thanks in all situations because that is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.

All situations? Is that even possible? Can we actually thank God as we wait in that sterile hospital room? Can we thank Him when we are plagued with worry about the future of a prodigal child? Can we thank Him through the storms of a difficult marriage? Isn’t that an unrealistic instruction? Would God actually ask us to do something so counter-intuitive to our anxious state of mind?

Yes, He would, and, yes, He does because our Creator knows exactly how we are wired and what we need. In turning our eyes to Jesus in thanksgiving, we are able to take our white-knuckle grip off our problems. This is not about faking it, but acknowledging and remembering God in the midst of the hard. Thanksgiving turns our eyes from our situation to our Saviour, from our overwhelming problems to His overwhelming love.

We don’t give thanks because the situation merits it. We give thanks because of Who He is in the midst of our situation. We give thanks for what He may be doing in and through us when those unbearable trials descend on us. We can hold both our anxiousness and thanksgiving together. His Word tells us to do just that.

Reflect

Do I tend to paint a picture of my problems in broad strokes, leaving little room to recognize the love of God that envelops me even in the midst of the hard? Can I hold the tension of my anxious thoughts and my thanksgiving before God at the same time? What attributes of God can I be thankful for even during the storm?

Respond

Father God, I acknowledge today that I often tell myself a solely negative story, and I forget Your hand of blessing in my life. I tend to focus so exclusively on my problems that I overlook how You led me through storms in the past. Lord, help today as I speak to You about my trials to also spend time in thanksgiving. Because even in the wilderness and the weariness, You are with me and Your grace is sufficient. I thank You today because You promise to work all things out for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen