The Other Guard
When Paul wrote these words, he was under arrest in Rome, waiting on a verdict that could free him or end his life, with a Roman soldier posted beside him day and night. If anyone had a reason to lie awake worrying, it was Paul. Instead, he wrote his friends in Philippi a letter full of joy, and near the end he gave them what might be the most practical bible verse for anxiety ever written. Don’t worry about anything, he said, pray about everything, and thank God for what He’s already done. Then he chose a word he was staring at every day, promising that God’s peace would guard their hearts and minds.
Your guard probably isn’t a soldier, but you know what it feels like to have worry standing over you, whether it’s the email you’re dreading, the bill that beat your paycheck home, or the call from the doctor you’re still waiting on. Paul isn’t asking you to pretend those things aren’t real. He’s asking you to hand each one to God by name and to thank Him before it’s fixed instead of after. The week can still be loud and the list can still be long, but there’s another guard at the door of your heart now, and He doesn’t take Monday off.
MOMENT OF PRAYER
Lord, You know what I’m carrying into this week, and You know how much of it I’ve been holding onto instead of handing to You. So today I’m bringing it to You by name: the worry about money, the conversation I keep putting off, and the people I love but can’t fix. Thank You for every time You’ve already come through, even the times I didn’t notice until later. Paul found Your peace with a chain on his wrist, so I’m trusting You to find me at my desk, in my car, or lying awake at two in the morning. Stand guard over my heart and my mind today, and when worry comes knocking, let it find You at the door.
In Jesus’ beautiful name, Amen.
STAND FIRM TODAY
Before you open your email this morning, take two minutes and write down the three things worrying you most about this week. Next to each one, write one thing you can thank God for that has nothing to do with fixing it. Then pray through that list out loud, one line at a time the way Paul told the Philippians to, and tuck it in your pocket or behind your phone case. When one of those worries shows up again later in the day, you don’t have to argue with it, because you’ve already handed it over and you’re holding the receipt.
And if you’d like someone standing in prayer with you, share your request on our Prayer Wall.
Carry This With You
“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
