The theme for today is: always, anything and everything 2.0.
On Wednesday we took care of ‘always.’ Today it’s time for ‘anything’ and ‘everything.’ Or rather about going from ‘anything’ TO ‘everything.’
There’s a tension between the ‘anything’ and the ‘everything’ in Philippians 4:4-7. We can’t be anxious about anything. But rather pray about everything. Paul knew about anxiety. He knew people get anxious. But people don’t have to ‘be’ anxious or ‘remain’ anxious. He provides a better way. A way from ‘anything’ to ‘everything.’
With anxiety we have opportunity. We have options. We can let it consume us. We can deny it. We can ignore it. We can withdraw from it. We can get bitter about it. Paul provides the best option. Pour out your heart to God in prayer. Anxious about anything? Even one thing? Nope. Anxious about nothing and prayer about everything. The only alternative. The best antidote.
Prayer is the antidote to anxiety. Anxiety focuses on self. Prayer focuses on God. Anxiety makes God small. Prayer makes God big. Anxiety looks down. Prayer looks up. Anxiety looks within to solve trials. Prayer looks to God to endure trials. Anxiety makes circumstances sovereign. Prayer makes God sovereign. Anxiety is concern for things you can’t control. Prayer is confidence in God who controls. Anxiety expresses fear. Prayer expresses faith.
We need, and Zach needs, to run the race from ‘anything’ to ‘everything.’ In nothing be anxious. In everything be prayerful. It ain’t easy. Life can feel like you’re anxious about everything and haven’t prayed about anything. Life comes with an abundance of anxieties. But there’s hope! God doesn’t want us to carry those anxieties. HE wants to. He gave us His only son who took our guilt, pain, shame, and also our anxieties! Run from anxiety to prayer. It’s doable. It’s possible. Possible because of the peace of God.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Our hearts and minds are weak. They are limited. They stay at the ‘anything.’ The peace of God moves us away from the ‘anything’ to the ‘everything.’ It WILL, Paul emphasizes. In Christ we will run from anxiety to prayer. That’s a promise. We’ll never fully understand it. But we will graciously receive it.
Rejoice always. Don’t be anxious about anything. Pray about everything.
Today’s Updates:
Zach has been doing a bit better over the past few days. He hasn’t vomited since Tuesday, but he continues to receive anti-nausea meds through his IV as a precaution. They resumed his feeds at a slower rate and he is tolerating this well. His abdominal x-ray and CT scan didn’t show anything concerning, which we are thankful for.
Zach has still been pretty tired and sometimes sleeping during the day. He was too tired for speech therapy, physiotherapy, and time in his wheelchair a couple of times over the last few days, but he is slowly gaining back energy. He is smiling more often again and is interacting more with activities like physiotherapy as he gains more energy. Please pray that Zach’s energy and mood will continue to improve in the coming days.
Zach has been communicating somewhat inconsistently recently, often giving contradictory answers with his yes/no papers or not answering questions, which makes it harder for us to know what he needs, especially when he is feeling sad or distressed. Please pray that Zach will be able to communicate clearly and consistently again. Pray that the peace of God will guard his heart and mind so that he can be refreshed both physically and spiritually on his long road. Pray that God will continue to grant healing in his brain and body, as well as patience, strength, and trust in God’s perfect timing. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Have a blessed Sunday.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
(Romans 12:9-15)
