No Need To Worry

No Need to Worry

Bible Blast: Read Philippians 1:12-14

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6

The book of Philippians is a letter Paul wrote to the people who lived in a city called Philippi. Paul and the Philippian people had great love for each other because of all they had gone through together for the sake of Christ. They had been through some pretty terrible things.

In fact, where was Paul when he wrote this book? (If you read the Bible Blast today, you know the answer.) He was in prison! Paul had been thrown in jail because he told people about Jesus and stood up for righteous things, not because he stole something or hurt anybody. Just imagine what it would have been like for the Philippians to have someone who led them and loved them be put in jail for doing good things! And not only was Paul imprisoned, but his life was in danger. Later on in chapter one, Paul talks about the possibility of being killed for his faith. There were probably other reasons the Philippians had to be worried and anxious, but I’m guessing Paul’s imprisonment was at the top of their list. They must have felt so out of control and helpless and confused. They must have felt worried.

Paul told them they shouldn’t worry but pray—and even more than that, they should be thankful to God for everything he had done. If we could turn all our worries into prayers and thankfulness, wouldn’t that make us strong in the Lord? As humans we go through many different situations that could make us get rolled up in worry: hard times in school, sickness, moving to a new house, divorce, bad dreams, and anything else that makes us want to worry. Our friends and family go through hard times, and we don’t know what to say or do to help, but Paul says the best thing we can do is tell God about it and thank him for the good he has done.

Girl Gab: Mom, has there ever been a time when you have dealt with anxiety? If so, talk to your daughter about how anxiety paralyzes a person. Daughter, what do you worry about the most? Take time to tell God about your worries and then thank him for all the good he has done in your lives.