Do you remember the old song sung by\u00a0 Bobby McFerrin some years ago? \u201cDon\u2019t worry, be happy!\u201d The song tells about different things that could get you down, such as someone stole your bed, your rent is late, and you don\u2019t have a girl to make you smile. But, according to the song, here is the line:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn every life we have some trouble<\/span> But Paul, writing in the book of Philippians, makes it just a little different. Don\u2019t worry, be thankful! Here is what he said in full:<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.\u00a0Then you will experience God\u2019s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This gives a couple of things to think about. Its interesting that he starts saying, \u201cDon\u2019t worry\u201d. We know that the Bible is full of \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid\u201d, because God knows us too well, but here is a verse telling us not to worry!<\/span><\/p>\n But he doesn\u2019t say to forget it, or to sweep it under a carpet, but to pray about it, one translation says to \u201cbut in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.\u201d Note that he didn\u2019t say to stay up all night worrying, or begging God to do something, but \u201cwith thanksgiving\u201d, being grateful!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So what does this gratefulness get you? According to Paul, and if you know anything about his life, you know he had, shall we say opportunities to worry! So here is what you get. You will experience God\u2019s peace! The word for peace here is \u201csecurity, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous). Isn\u2019t that awesome? Not just peace, but God\u2019s peace, or in another way to put it, peace with God! This is something that money cannot buy! And this peace, according to Paul, exceeds anything we can understand!<\/span><\/p>\n Now this peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus! This word for guard has a meaning of guarding for preservation! So, this peace preserves your heart and your mind, so that you won\u2019t have the trouble that caused you to worry in the first place!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, if you stop worrying, be thankful, give it to Him, then His peace guards, protects and preserves you from the very things that cause you to worry! How about that? Isn\u2019t that good news?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you like this, then you should read my blog entitled \u201cPlot Twist!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I invite you to leave your name and email for updates to my blog, which happens nearly everyday. Also, please leave a comment in the section below, I would love to hear from you!<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\nBut when you worry, you make it double<\/span>
\nDon\u2019t worry, be happy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n