Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6, NASB)
My wife and I were returning from a needed run to Costco during this coronavirus adventure. We were also listening to talk radio and absorbing all the bad news. We know better, but we must stay informed. Right? Then I get a call from my friend Brad, who asked how we were doing. I told him all was well and thanked him for checking in on us old folks. He then asked the important question he had really called about, “Where are you now?” I told him. He then said, “Well, the real reason for my call is that I am at the golf course working on my chipping and wanted you to take a look. I hope this is a convenient time.” I happened to be about a mile from the course. Golf is a funny game!
I went to the course and worked with Brad on his chipping. Brad made a good point, “This coronavirus will pass someday, but I will still be faced with these tough chip shots.” I also know Brad well. I know his foundation is in Jesus, in whom he trusts. Brad then told me a story I have heard before, but is so appropriate now: An old Indian chief told his son that there are two wolves that live within us. One is full of fear and doubt that wants to destroy and kill. The other is filled with confidence, faith, and assurance. “Which wolf wins?” asked the young son. His dad said, “The one you feed the most.”
No matter what our tough times look like from one year to the next, we have a decision to make. Will we feed our fear or our faith?
Brad called later that day and said that he had gone home and opened his Bible to feed his faith in God. A great place to do this in Scripture is Philippians 4, where Paul gave his readers many healthy things to think about.
They both looked up and said, “God, you got this.” They both went back to sleep.You might think that Christians would have less fear and anxiety than other people, but Paul wasn’t out of touch with reality. He and the early church faced continuous hardship. To the he wrote this little phrase: “Be anxious for nothing.” His words are in the present active tense, implying that it is ongoing. Paul knew that great disturbances are unavoidable in our lives, but the prison of fear is optional.
The verse continues with, “By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” It is essential to ask in gratitude. Do not get off your knees in asking without thanking God for he has done and is doing. Do I really fear that he will not provide in the future? It is hard to be fearful and thankful at the same time.
Recently, two of my good friends were dealing with some rough issues. In both cases they were awakened in the middle of the night and worry started to flood over them. They both looked up and said, “God, you got this.” They both went back to sleep. I know these men well, and while they do not know each other, both trust in the same God. Even in the night, they had received his peace.
You see, Paul revealed the result of not being anxious or fearful in the very next verse: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We have a choice in feeding our faith. God’s peace is a gift from exercising that trust.
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Randy Wolff
May 5, 2020
Copyright 2020 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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