Be Careful For Nothing

I don't know of a parent alive who hasn't at one time or another said to a child of theirs, “Be careful!” I can recall vividly times my Mother said those two words to me. I knew what they meant, but wasn't sure exactly why she was saying them. I was told those two words when I first went to church camp, then to my first swimming lesson. Before several activities in high school, those same two words were thrown my way. I understood those words when I left for college because it was my first time away from home for a lengthy amount of time.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned one of my favorite New Testament books...the book of Philippians. It's a book of joy and rejoicing as well as instruction and encouragement. In chapter four verse four, we are admonished to rejoice:

Rejoice in the Lord always: and
again I say, Rejoice.

I have stressed that word “always” because we have times in our lives with cares and problems that rejoicing doesn't come easy for us. If we are commanded to rejoice, God will bless us in that step of obedience.

The sixth and seventh verses have come to be more than precious to me. Maybe you don't tend to worry about things but all too often, I'm afraid that's where I find my thinking. Look with me at those two verses in chapter four:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing
by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.

In verse six, the phrase “Be careful for nothing” isn't the same meaning as when my Mother admonished me to be careful. Paul is saying here that we aren't to worry about anything. That's a huge order. So what are we to do? We are to pray and do it with thanksgiving as we lay our concerns before the Lord. Notice in that verse that we are to bring everything to Jesus...every care, problem and difficulty. We need not fear because Jesus can handle anything that comes our way.

I dearly love the precious end result that will be ours when we follow verse six...you and I will know the peace of God like never before. No one will ever understand the peace we have despite what seems to be insurmountable difficulties that have come into our lives. Along with that promise is the fact that we will be kept by Jesus, guarding our hearts and minds.

Verse eight must be addressed in all of this because we are admonished to train our minds as to how to think. In this way, we arm ourselves so as to fight against Satan's thinking and learning to think as God would have us think:

Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things.

I realize that these Scriptures are a lot to take in but we are given so many guarantees from God in them if we will onlylisten and heed God's expectations. God has such a deep love for each of us. He hates to watch us struggle when He is so near to help. As parents, there were times when we watched our children struggle. It was hard being a parent, standing by, watching the process, especially when we were in a position to be of help.

So, to live that spiritually careful life, what are we called on to do:

Rejoice on a continual basis (4)
Be careful for nothing....don't worry (6)
Take everything to God in prayer (6)
Pray with thanksgiving (6)
Make known every request to God (6)
Accept that peace from God that no one will be able to comprehend (7)
Trust God that He will keep our hearts and minds in His awesome care (7)
Get control of our thought life (8)

As you and I with God's help strive to do God's will in these areas, we have to be aware that our enemy, Satan, will be ready to pounce...that's a sure thing. This will be such a strengthening process for each of us. The things on the list will have to be things we put into consistent practice. However, God walks with us, strengthening us every step of the way.In it all, we will know a peace with God, an inner peace that can come to be a genuine part of us.

Just an added word from Philippians as I think of my blog friends:

I thank my God upon
every remembrance
of you.
Philippians 1:3

Dear Jesus, You died that I might know not only the salvation you offer, but that You and I might live in a close and loving relationship. I am trusting You and thankful for your love and strengthening. I love you. Amen