The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Wednesday, 1 January 2014 “Do
Not Worry” Read Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice[a] in the Lord always; again I will say,
Rejoice.[b] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do
not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.
Footnotes:
a. Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
b. Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(Philippians
4:6-7 (NIV))
Last summer after a lengthy hospital stay, I struggled through a
deep depression. After listening to a recording about eliminating fear, I got
out an index card and wrote out Philippians 4:6-7. I stuck it up on my bathroom
mirror and soon had it memorized. Right away, I noticed a difference in my
thinking. When I began to worry, the words of scripture came right into my mind
as if God were speaking to me: “Do not be anxious about anything,” followed by
the admonition to pray. Right then, I’d pray about my worry; and almost
immediately, it would vanish. Over and over again, my prayers were answered.
Wow! It was all true, just as the scripture said. God’s peace has helped me to
keep my mind and heart focused on Christ Jesus. My depression finally lifted in
the autumn. I used many methods to work through the depression, including
counseling, medication, and exercise. It all helped, but nothing was more
effective in lifting me out of the darkness than God’s clear words in
Philippians 4:6-7.(The Author-Christina Friberg (Colorado, USA))
Thought for the Day: Memorize scripture so that it will come to
mind during difficult times.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for words that bring life and light
into our darkness. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those suffering through depression
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