Philippians 4:6a - "God's Cure for Anxiety"

Today, I first want to say, Happy Fourth of July! I pray thatas you celebrate our country's history—250 years of God's blessing upon thisnation—you will remember the tremendous price that has been paid by so manypeople to give us the freedoms and opportunities that we enjoy in this greatcountry. I have traveled to many countries all over the world, and I want totell you that, despite all the problems, difficulties, and challenges ourcountry faces today, I would still rather live here than anywhere else in theworld. So would most of the rest of the world. Doyou realize that throughout most of human history, only a small percentage ofpeople have ever enjoyed the freedom and opportunity that we have experiencedin America? We truly are a blessed people. Those blessings did not come withouta tremendous price. Generations of brave men and women sacrificed so that wecould enjoy these liberties, and above all, we should thank God, whoseprovidence has so graciously blessed this nation. Now,that brings us to a great verse as we face many difficult times and challengesin our nation and throughout our world. It is Philippians 4:6, one of the mostbeloved passages in all the Bible, where Paul writes: "Be careful fornothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving letyour requests be made known unto God." Today we are going to focus onthose opening words: "Be careful for nothing." Whenwe read that verse today, the word "careful" does not mean beingcautious or thoughtful. It means to be anxious, worried, or filled with care.Paul is literally saying, "Don't be anxious about anything." Nowthink about who is writing these words. Paul is sitting in a Roman prison. Hedoes not know whether he will be released or executed. He is chained to a Romansoldier, yet at the same time he tells us not to worry. How could he say that? Iam convinced it is because Paul had learned that worry never solves theproblem. It only steals today's strength. Someone has wisely said, "Worryis like a rocking chair. It'll give you something to do, but it won't take youanywhere." Jesus addressed this very issue in Matthew chapter 6. Threetimes He said, "Take no thought." In other words, "Don'tbe anxious." He then points us to the birds of the air and the liliesof the field. He reminds us that if our Heavenly Father faithfully feeds thebirds and beautifully clothes the flowers, how much more will He care for Hisown children? Yousee, worry is really a faith issue. It assumes that God may not take care ofus. It questions His wisdom. It doubts His love. It forgets His promises. Now,that does not mean we ignore our problems or pretend they do not exist. Itmeans that we choose to trust the God who is greater than every problem orchallenge we will ever face. Petergives us a perfect companion verse in 1 Peter 5:7 when he says: "Castingall your care upon Him; for He cares for you." What a wonderfulexchange! We give Him our cares, and He gives us His care. Perhaps today youare carrying a burden that no one else knows about—financial pressures, healthconcerns, family struggles, a wayward child, or an uncertain future. My friend,the Lord knows, and He cares. He invites you to bring every burden to Him. Everytime anxiety knocks at the door of your heart, let it become an alarm remindingyou that you are not trusting the Lord as you should. Let that alarm turn yourheart back toward Him so that you can trust Him with everything you are facingright now and every challenge that lies ahead. As you do that day by day, I amtelling you, you will experience a life filled with greater peace, joy, andtrue happiness. Father, forgive us for the times we have allowed worry to control ourhearts instead of trusting You. Thank You that You know every burden we carryand that You care for us more than we could ever imagine. Help us to cast everycare upon You. We pray this in Jesus' name.Amen.