Philippians 4:5-6
Let for forbearing spirit be know to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reading those verses, in general, is nice, calming and soothing. Reading these verses coupled with a current problem, an urgent need, a troubling conflict or an outright emergency can be another story. Can anyone relate? Take a look at the photo of the mother and her children moving down to the cellar to avoid a visible tornado which is headed right toward them. If you haven't been in this exact situation, maybe you have been in a situation that caused you the same level of anxiety or a similar level? How do we trust God in the middle of the storm, whatever the storm may be?
Let's take a look at some of the wording...At the bottom of this article will be some definitions, synonyms and antonyms to help you maneuver through your thought process.
These verses hinge on trusting God.
You may have some questions.
Is He trustworthy?
Is He concerned with my specific needs?
Is He accessible?
Is He accessible to me?
How can we be sure we are connecting with Him properly?
Do I know how to reach out to God?
What do I say?
How can I be sure He is hearing me?
What does answered prayer look like?
How peaceful am I supposed to feel in a crisis?
What if God is trustworthy but I'm the one who can't trust? I may have trust issues.
What do I do now?
The short answers are: Yes, you can trust God. He cares about you specifically and He is accessible through prayer. God is accessible through a quiet, thoughtful prayer. He also hears a prayer in a time of urgent need and all prayers in between. Practicing the art of trusting God is something that is learned by experience. Trust Him daily with the little things and soon you will be trusting Him with everything.
The first peace that we experience as new believers is a peace that comes from having our consciences wiped clean through repentance & the gift of salvation and as we get to know God better (Hebrews 10:22). Second Peter 1:2 says, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord” (NLT). When we grow in understanding of the depths and riches of God’s love toward us (Ephesians 3:18–19; Romans 8:38–39), our minds and spirits begin to rest in His power and wisdom. We begin to understand that He really will make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). We learn that His purposes will be accomplished (Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 45:9; 46:9–11).
Reading your Bible daily is not only filling your mind educationally with God's word. Reading, meditating on His word and praying through scripture is a way of spending time with God, Himself. The more you know of Him and the more you know Him, the more you will be able to trust God with your decisions and your life. Deuteronomy 31:6, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Psalm 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."
You can trust God because He is trustworthy. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
Back to our verses: Let for forbearing spirit be know to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God keeps His promises. He is near. We don't have to be anxious. In fact, we are commanded to NOT be anxious. He wouldn't ask us to do something unless we had the ability to do it. He will guard our hearts and our minds. What a promise!
When there is peace, I can rest, knowing I'm loved and protected.
Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.
Leave your thoughts below. Also, please feel free to share any stories you have of when you either did or did not trust God. How have you learned from that experience to be more like Christ?
Forebearance -Definition
for•bear•ance fôr-bâr′əns►
n. Tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation; patience.
n. The act of giving a debtor more time to pay rather than immediately enforcing a debt that is due.
n. The act or state of forbearing; the cessation or intermission of an act commenced, or a refraining from beginning an act.
Forebearance- Synonyms
self-control, abstinence, endurance, moderation, patience, resignation, restraint, temperence,
tolerance, going easy on, living with, refraining.
Forebearance- Antonyms
agitation, excess, impatience, indulgence, intolerance, wildness, pursual
Anxious- Definition
adjective
full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous: Her parents were anxious about her poor health. earnestly desirous; eager (usually followed by an infinitive or for): anxious to please; anxious for our happiness. attended with or showing solicitude or uneasiness: anxious forebodings.
Anxious- Synonyms
disturbed, apprehensive, fearful, uneasy, overwrought, nervous, distressed, scared, uptight, afraid, jittery, fidgety, dreading, in suspense, unglued, shook up, shot to pieces, worried sick, a wreck.
Anxious- Antonyms
confident, bold, brave, calm, collected, unafraid, corageous, unfearful, content, peaceful, unworried, assured, happpy.
Everything means EVERYTHING.
Prayer- spiritual communion with God.
Supplication- Definition
to pray humbly. to ask or entreat with humble petition.
Thanksgiving/ Thankful - feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciation
Peace - Definition
Peace is a state of tranquility, harmony or quietness of spirit that transcends circumstances. The freedom from fear, disturbance or violence. Not disturbed by strife.
The term peace is described in Scripture as a gift from God and congruent with His character
Peace - Synonyms
pleasant, quiet, relaxing, soothing, undistrubed, conflict-free, accord, unity, orderly, disciplined, amicable, freedom from strife, without hostility, untroubled
Peace- Antonyms
agitated, noisy, rough, violent, wild, clamourous, turbulent, disturbed, loud, broken, excited, toubled, militant, war-ridden, stormy, beligerent, tempestuous, hawkish
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