Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 NIV
I turned my walker around at the end of my driveway. The summer sun made my heavy, black back brace feel like a sauna. Birds sang perched in the branches in the tree above me that shaded our driveway. Why couldn’t I find any pleasure on a beautiful summer evening? I breathed in the aroma of flowers, but I still felt empty.
Then I realized I had allowed the post-surgical pain and complications to steal my peace and joy. My faith had wavered, leaving me feeling hopeless. A bolt of anger made me determined to take back what the enemy had stolen. As I walked my laps to strengthen my body, I drew strength from the Holy Spirit. Then I recalled our focal verses, and I knew what to do. God gives us a remedy for peace if we are willing to take it.
First, stop being anxious. Don’t worry. I couldn’t ignore my body’s cry for relief, but I didn’t need to make it my focus. That’s the place for Jesus. I gave in to thoughts of discouragement instead of taking thoughts captive. I focused on the sleepless nights and debilitating pain. Even during constant pain, I could count my blessings, if I chose to do so. We must consciously remove discouraging thoughts. Stop worrying about why God hasn’t healed us, and concentrate on every blessing.
Worry makes us step into a role we were never created to fill. As children, we didn’t worry about having food on the table or keeping the house warm in winter. In some cases, children have those worries, but most of us trusted our parents to provide for us.
God is greater than any earthly father. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. Worry says we can’t trust our Father to provide. Worry says we are trying to be the parent and not the child.
Next, I needed to depend on God even though He hadn’t answered my pleas for relief. I could pray more often with more faith. I could trust Him in the dark. I could spend less time complaining.
Finally, give thanks. God commands thankfulness because gratitude benefits us immensely. It sets our minds on a new track. We begin thinking with a positive outlook rather than a negative one. Isn’t it easy to fall into thoughts of what we lack rather than count our blessings?
I thanked God for many things once I stopped the stinking thinking, the negative thoughts I entertained. I could walk! I didn’t have pneumonia or blood clots, which were potential complications. My wonderful husband took care of me. I had my beautiful guide dog, Iva, by my side, even as I did laps in the driveway. She insisted on being with me.
Our circumstances cannot give us joy, peace, or hope. Why do we lose those precious gifts when things go wrong? Joy only comes from Jesus. He is our joy and our peace, and He is our only hope.
When we stop the anxious thoughts and pray with thankful hearts, God promises us a peace that is beyond comprehension. He promises to guard our hearts and minds with His peace. He will guard them against anxiety, discouragement, and doubt.
The word guard is a military term. God is setting troops of holy soldiers around our hearts and minds.
I know your circumstances are daunting, but we can’t allow the enemy to steal what Jesus has given us. Find Scriptures to help you focus on joy and hope. Stop the anxiety. Pray more and give God thanks, and peace will return. What you are enduring is so hard. Don’t give in to what you go through.
What will you allow to occupy your mind? In the following verse, the word let means to allow. Allow God’s peace and not the devil’s panic to rule your heart.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body;
and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NKJV
Lord Jesus, help me resist the urge to give in to worry. Thank You for being my one hope. Life is rough right now, but I know You have a plan, and I need to wait on You. In Your name I pray. Amen.
This devotion is from “Embers of Endurance: Rising Above Chronic Pain and Illness”