God of love, hope, grace and peace – Day 5

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the Philippians. I must say, they’re not the words I’d expect from an innocent person in jail! But when Paul experiences “the peace that transcends all understanding” despite his circumstances, he is able to advise and encourage the believers in Philippi. Paul was in prison and he trusted God; he laid his needs before God. He knew he was in good hands – he had peace! I can only imagine what effect this testimony had when the church in Philippi received his letter and read it. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I received an SMS the other day, a picture of a tiny mouse in the foreground with his giant shadow towering behind him with these words: “worries gives small things big shadows!” Worry makes the smallest problem look enormous. How much time to do we waste worrying about things that may happen! There’s an old proverb that says, “Worry is an old man with bended head, carrying a load of feathers which he thinks are lead.” This doesn’t mean that there are no difficult things in your life, but that many times, we make them far worse by worrying.

God wants his children to experience perfect peace. He invites us to bring our problems and burdens to him. Whatever is bothering you today, put it in God’s hands and leave it there.