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.
Philippians 4:6-7
I can’t remember the last time I gave thanks for tires. But can you imagine life without tires? It would be hard! And I can’t remember the last time I gave thanks for silverware, but knives, forks and spoons sure make life easier! I’m not sure when I last thanked God for socks, for towels, for soap, for running water, for trees, for light bulbs, for birds, for the alphabet. Oh, how I fail to give thanks for the gifts God has showered upon me! You too?
While I can’t remember the last time I gave thanks for oh-so-many things, I can easily remember the last time I was anxious about something. Yeah, that was today. And I had some anxious moments the day before too. And I fear that when tomorrow comes, I may struggle with some more anxious moments. Oh, they probably won’t last real long or be all that strong, but they’ll still be there. And sometimes those moments of anxiousness will stretch into hours, or even days. You too?
God gives us several points to ponder. First, he invites us to present our requests to him. After all, he’s the all-powerful ruler of the universe! He can do anything about anything, for anyone! And he invites us to come and talk to him about … anything! That helps to drive anxiety away.
Second, he encourages us to give thanks. Try it! Purposely thank God for your shoelace, your TV, your shirt, your fingernails, your paper towel, your coffee filter. And what happens? Your eyes are opened to the showers of blessings which God pours out upon you! That helps to drive anxiety away.
Finally, and most importantly, God has blessed you and me with a peace that surpasses understanding. When I close my eyes for the final time, I know what I’ll see next–the glories of heaven! I know that’s what I’ll see, because Jesus won forgiveness for me–even for all those anxious moments and for my lack of thanks. He won forgiveness for me by dying, and proved that I was forgiven by rising from the dead. I know I’m a child of God because God adopted me into his family through baptism, so I know that God loves me! All of that’s true for you too. That helps to drive the anxiety away.
So, go ahead. Thank God for tires.
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Living Hope Church 