Devotionals by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

In the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul mentioned a series of things all of us want:

• We all want to stand firm in our faith (Philippians 4:1)
• We all want to have a joyful attitude throughout the day (4:4)
• We all want to have minds that dwell on beneficial things (4:8)
• We all want to apply God’s principles so completely that we are flooded with His peace (4:9)
• For sure, we all want contentment and satisfaction (4:10–12)

Yes, we all want these things, but few of us experience them on a regular basis. So? Our anxiety level rises higher and higher. Worries multiply. Cares increase. Irritation often invades, making us feel resentful and confused. We can’t even crank it out. We struggle with thoughts like, “I’m a hypocrite, I’m a poor Christian example.”

What’s most interesting is this: The first and only thing that will work is the last thing we try . . . prayer. Take a look at this: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

Most Christians are familiar with those words. I fear they have lost their punch.

If I understand this correctly, the anxiety that mounts up inside me, the growing irritation and the struggles that make me churn, will be dissipated—and, in fact, replaced with inner peace plus all those other qualities I want so much—if I will simply talk to my God. Prayer is the single most significant thing that will help turn inner turmoil into peace. Prayer is the answer.

Taken from Strengthening Your Grip by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2015 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. 

Used with permission. All rights reserved.

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