Some years ago I heard the story of a four-year-old boy facing major surgery. For weeks Barrett's parents tried to prepare him for the ordeal. Convinced Scripture could help, they taught Barrett this simple verse: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you" (Ps. 56:3 NIV). The day of surgery arrived and Barrett kept repeating his special verse. Later, the doctors and staff said they witnessed an unusual peace for a child so young.
Barrett, however, will display a degree of hostility when he is withdraw from the drugs following his operation," the surgeon warned. "Don't be alarmed. It's perfectly natural."
Steeled for this time, Barrett's parents seldom left his bedside. One afternoon he began to stir and it wasn't long before they observed him slowly moving his lips. His first silent words were "I love you," and the next was a complete sentence: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you."
Barrett's parents didn't try to teach him Philippians 4:6-7, but gave him one phrase he could handle. However, as adults who seem to let anxiety attach us at every level, we can benefit from Paul's instruction: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything (health, finances, family problems, etc.) by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be may known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
These two sentences are among the most profound and comforting in the entire Bible. Paul had just reminded the Philippians to rejoice, but now he warns them of anxiety, the joy robber. He offers the remedy to anxiety in a nutshell: prayer, petition and thanksgiving, which results in peace.
Let's take our March 2020 circumstances to our loving Father and live in His peace!
Barrett, however, will display a degree of hostility when he is withdraw from the drugs following his operation," the surgeon warned. "Don't be alarmed. It's perfectly natural."
Steeled for this time, Barrett's parents seldom left his bedside. One afternoon he began to stir and it wasn't long before they observed him slowly moving his lips. His first silent words were "I love you," and the next was a complete sentence: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you."
Barrett's parents didn't try to teach him Philippians 4:6-7, but gave him one phrase he could handle. However, as adults who seem to let anxiety attach us at every level, we can benefit from Paul's instruction: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything (health, finances, family problems, etc.) by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be may known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
These two sentences are among the most profound and comforting in the entire Bible. Paul had just reminded the Philippians to rejoice, but now he warns them of anxiety, the joy robber. He offers the remedy to anxiety in a nutshell: prayer, petition and thanksgiving, which results in peace.
Let's take our March 2020 circumstances to our loving Father and live in His peace!
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