You Say
by Peter Lane 15 June 2022
Philippians 4 v6-9
Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus. From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.
There are occasions in all our lives when we can get anxious about situations we become aware of. Whether it is general concerns for issues arising in the world and our own country, or more specific concerns for the needs of friends, family and ourselves, it is possible to get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
Anxiety, worry and lack of self-belief are all feelings that I find myself fighting against at times. Writing my contributions to these "Sharing Our Faith Together" articles I often find myself wondering if my thoughts are of any value to those people who will be reading the articles. It is at this point that I find it important to hand the situation to God in prayer, and listen to the kind words of those people around me who offer encouragement and support.
Lauren Daigle describes this anxiety in the words of her song "You Say":
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know
In Philippians 1v6 we read "God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns".
From the very beginning God began a good work in each of us, so when we're feeling worthless, discouraged, or defeated we need to remember that each one of us was created with a purpose - to do good things for the Lord. He started that good work in us before we were even born and has not stopped carrying on that good in us every single day of our life.
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Prayer
Dear Lord,
You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And You say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe. Amen.