what we should worry about

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. Philippians 4: 1-23. There are so many great verses in this chapter. But one that most of us are familiar with is 4:6-7. In one version, it reads: Be anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind.

So much to take in. We have a book at work called "What we should be worried about" and it's a bunch of worst case scenarios by scientists who are telling us what we should worry about and maybe try to do something to change... but mostly just worry. But Paul makes it clear (and it's best for our mental health) if we don't worry about anything. That doesn't mean we go through life with a crazy denial of reality, like Riggs is demonstrating in the picture above. It means that we face our fears and anxieties, and then take them to God. We confidently ask Him to take care of us, knowing and thanking Him for all of the times He's taken care of us in the past.

And not only will His peace (which we don't fully understand) come and calm us... it will GUARD our minds... keeping us from becoming mentally unhealthy: like we do when we worry too much.

God, thanks for showing us EXACTLY what we should worry about.