Shalom,

We want to look again today at Scriptures that show how we, as believers, can walk in faith, trust and confidence while the rest of the world is operating in doubt, fear and unbelief. The things happening in the world, from earthquakes to fires to storms to the economy, have many people very upset. Here is how the Word of God says that a believer (one who has received Jesus of Nazareth as their Lord and personal Saviour) should act:

Phil 4:6-7 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

First we start out with the instruction to "be careful", the Greek word, merimnao, which means: to be anxious about, take thought (through the idea of distraction), for nothing; but in "everything", the Greek word, pas, which means: all, any, every, the whole, by "prayer", the Greek word, proseuche, which means: worship, and "supplication", the Greek word, deesis, which means: request, with "thanksgiving", the Greek word, eucharistia, which means: active gratitude, grateful language, "let .. be made known", the Greek word, gnorizo, which means: to make known, declare, give to understand, certify, your requests unto God. The Amplified Bible says it very well:

Phil 4:6 (AMP)
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And then verse 7 says this: And the "peace", the Greek word, eirene, which means: peace, prosperity, quietness, rest, of God, which "passeth", the Greek word, huperecho, which means: to hold oneself above, to excel, superior, supreme, better, higher, excellency, all understanding "shall keep", the Greek word, phroureo, which means: to be a watcher in advance, to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at the gates), to hem in , to protect, your hearts (the spirit/soul combination) and "minds", the Greek word, noema, which means: intellect, mind, thought, through Christ Jesus.

What an exciting promise! When we refuse all thoughts of doubt, fear, unbelief, anxiety or worry and, instead, bring our requests, petitions and worship to God, along with our thanksgiving for Who He is and what He has already done in our lives, then His great peace, which our natural minds cannot understand, will act like a guard over our minds to keep those thoughts away! It's a simple command that takes great diligence on our part, but has tremendous rewards! We CAN be worry free, care free! Just do it God's way! God's Word WORKS!

Shalom in Him!