There are so many things to be thankful for. Health, family, warm sunshine, doggie noses and licks, love, friends, our talents, a gentle touch, words that lift us up, the gift of a smile. There really is no end to the list of these things.
Today we do our best to set aside the stresses of life, those things that take us from being thankful to screaming in pain. Some of you will have to adjust your attitude to put up with family that you only see once a year. We place all of this on hold today to remember to be grateful ... thankful for the things we have, the blessings that surround us.
Paul tells us that 'thanksgiving' brings peace. Thanksgiving reminds us that there is someone to be thankful to. We're not in this alone ... ever. No matter what we face, no matter what worries us, no matter what seems to be wounding our bodies, hearts or souls ... we've got a God that walks with us and when we're thankful to Him for His blessings, we know that we're never alone. Being thankful brings peace.
May 14, 2010 – Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
Don’t worry about anything. Hah. Paul knows his readers quite well, but telling us NOT to worry seems a little like telling a swimmer in shark-infested waters that it will be ok. We are surrounded by things to worry about. If there aren’t enough actual things to worry about, we make extras up. Night time is the worst of all … if you’re lying in bed trying to fall asleep, you can’t manage and handle all of the things that worry you, so the worries increase.
This sweeping generalization by Paul, as absurd as it may sound, is followed up by a practical resolution: Here’s how you can alleviate worry – present your requests to God. Notice one more point, though in this directive – do it with thanksgiving.
These words show us Paul’s insight into the human psyche. When we are overcome with worry, thanksgiving is one of those things that we can’t (or don’t want to) incorporate into our thinking process. We become so focused on the problems, the issues, the details of the situation, that we can’t be thankful about anything. Paul knows that the moment we turn to thankfulness, we release the power that worry has on us.
Worry is a lie. Worry tells us that we can handle everything on our own. Worry tells us that we don’t need anyone else. Worry tells us that not even God can help us.
Thanksgiving reminds us that we aren’t alone. It breaks through the morass of fear with a sense of calm.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Read that sentence again. Do you see what happens? The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Worry tears at you, exposing your heart and mind to many negative emotions. Anxiety and stress destroy your heart, your mind and your body. I could point to research that proves how anxiety tears us apart physically, but it is obvious to each one of us.
The peace of God, which comes when we go before Him with thanksgiving … which comes when we go before Him with thanksgiving … will guard our hearts and minds.
Think about that today.
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