There Is Nothing God Cannot Handle

Reflect on God’s Word

Imagine you’re getting ready to hire a contractor to redo your bathroom. You research and decide to hire someone with a great reputation for finishing the work on time and on budget. As he begins his work, do you become anxious and worried about whether he will do a good job and meet your expectations? Probably not. Do you sit next to him and give him instructions about how you think things should be done? That would be ridiculous. You read testimony after testimony about how great his work is. You called in the expert, and now you let him do the job you hired him to do.

But do you sometimes treat God this way? Do you worry about whether he’ll come through, keep his word, or be reliable? Do you give him suggestions about what to do in a given situation? More than a human contractor known for his good work, God can be trusted to care deeply about everything in your life and work for your good and his glory.

Philippians 4:6 (ESV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Think about those words anything and everything. You don’t need to worry about anything; instead, God wants you to pray about everything. That’s pretty all-inclusive, isn’t it? God wants you to talk to him about big things and little things, and then let him be in control. He’s the expert.

If God is God, you might think, He already knows what I need, so why do I need to ask? The answer is found in Philippians 4:7, which says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we pray to the Lord and tell him what we need, his peace comes and guards our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus. Peace is something we need every day because anxiety often hits without warning and forces peace out. In the midst of hardship, worry seems to take over until you’re overwhelmed and hopeless. But that’s the perfect time to talk to God and roll all your worries onto him while thanking him for his peace and love.

Maybe your concern is getting to an appointment on time when there’s more traffic than you anticipated. That may seem like a small thing that you don’t want to bother God about, but he cares that your heart is at peace. He wants you to talk to him about it, and then he wants you to let him get you where you need to go. Maybe you will be late, but you will have peace in your heart.

Maybe your concern is on a much larger scale. Maybe you don’t know how you’re going to make your rent or mortgage payment because you’ve missed a lot of work due to illness. God has promised to supply all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He wants you to talk to him about it. He knows your concerns, and he wants to give you his peace as you wait on him to supply your needs.

God is never bothered by your requests. Like a father who delights when his child comes to him with a request, God delights in hearing what you need. Hebrews 5:7–8 says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” So how much more should we cry out to God during our times of need or suffering?

Maybe you complicate things, but the Worldwide English Version sure makes it simple: “Do not worry about anything. Talk to God about everything. Thank him for what you have. Ask him for what you need” (Philippians 4:6). When you have a need, do you tend to worry about it? Or do you ask God for help and trust him to take care of it?

Release Your Everyday Concerns

Take some deep, relaxing breaths. Breathe in God’s peace and exhale any worry or anxiety you’re feeling. Focus on the Lord’s closeness and settle into his presence.

Now think about this question: How does bringing your requests to God help lessen your anxiety and worry during times of suffering?

When you ask God for help, you express your dependence on him instead of yourself, and then his peace surrounds you. Imagine a small child approaching a beloved parent. It doesn’t matter how big or small the request is, the child approaches the parent with confidence, knowing they care and they are trustworthy.

If you feel worry or anxiety trying to pull you under, the best thing you can do is stop and pray. No matter where you are, reach out to the Lord and tell him how you feel and what you need. Thank him for always being there to hear your prayers.

Don’t think you’re bothering God with your small requests; no request is insignificant, and no prayer or petition is beyond his ability. It’s your job to pray in faith; it’s his job to answer.

When you combine your prayer and petitions with thankfulness for what God has done for you already, he hears you. When you remember what God has brought you through in the past, your faith increases.

Remember, by praying and bringing your requests to the Lord, you are admitting your dependence on him instead of yourself. This attitude of humility opens the door for God to move mightily on your behalf.

Dear God, I realize that sometimes I let worry and anxiety overwhelm me when I should be talking to you about my concerns. Help me remember that you hear me when I pray, you care about everything I’m going through, and I can trust you to keep your word. I choose to always have a thankful attitude whenever I make my requests to you. Instead of worrying, help me stop and talk to you about everything, no matter how big or small it is. I don’t need to feel anxious about anything because you are reliable and trustworthy! Thank you for never letting me down. I know the plans you have for me are good! Amen.

JOURNAL PROMPT: How can you remind yourself to pray about everything instead of worrying? Journal about your most urgent requests and humbly bring them to the Lord.