On a daily basis, we open the door of our heart just enough for anxiety to enter and settle, causing us to waste time, sleep, and concentration by distracting us with problems that we magnify. In today's passage, the apostle Paul calls us to live in a different way: we are not to worry about anything.

Anxiety magnifies our problems and minimizes our ability to focus on God. It prevents us from seeing God's power and sovereignty in the midst of our circumstances. Paul had many reasons to be anxious, but he knew that anxiety leads us down a dangerous path that leads to fear, doubt, and despair. When we are anxious, worry takes over our minds instead of focusing on God and what He is capable of. Paul tells us that the way to combat anxiety is to first make a conscious decision not to be anxious. This is easier said than done, but it can be done! It requires us to face every uncontrollable circumstance and its possible outcome with confidence that God knows what He is doing.

At this point we are compelled not only to read the Scriptures, but to hold fast to them. This means that we have the option to believe that God is Sovereign and always has a better plan than ours, even if the outcome is not what we want. Instead of using time to feed anxiety, Paul calls us to prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, and when we choose to put them into practice, we can experience the peace Paul describes.

When anxiety comes into our lives, let's remember that we are called to focus on a trustworthy God instead of worrying about an unknown future. Open your heart in prayer today and receive the peace that God wants to give you.

Suggested Prayer: Precious Lord Jesus, I thank You that nothing is out of your control. Times are difficult and this makes me anxious, but Paul is clear in his letter to the Philippians and encourages me not to worry about anything, but at all times with prayer and supplication present my requests to you and give you thanks. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

1.    Philippians 4:6.

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.