Have you ever brooded about some situation or relationship? I know I have - a lot. There is one particular situation I brooded over a lot and I was imagining all the negative ways it could come out. My imagination was going crazy, and not in a good way. In the midst of all that brooding, you know what the Lord told me? Phil. 4:6, " That's what 'anxious' means - a brooding fear about how something might turn out. I was wasting good time brooding about something that might never happen and over which I had no control. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God:"
That's what 'anxious' means - a brooding fear about how something might turn out. I was wasting good time brooding about something that might never happen and over which I had no control.
Now there are some situations that we can do something about. We need to do what we can do and let God do what we can't. Or it might be a negative situation that we can do nothing about and we know what the outcome will be, He still tells us to not brood about it. God said, "Instead of brooding - pray." Now, we know that God knows all things, so why would He say to make our requests known to Him? I believe it's because God is trustworthy. He is true to His Word. Then He says in verse 7 that His peace will hem us in, it will protect our hearts and minds. His peace will be watching out for those thoughts and situations that want to steal from us. His peace will spy out those areas where we are brooding. I know, every time my thoughts drift to that particular situation I am brought back to this scripture and His peace.
If we're not brooding, what are we going to do? Verse 8 tells us. "whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Your first question may be like mine - "There's nothing good about this situation to meditate on." Then don't meditate on the situation - where did that get you anyway.
What is always true and just and pure and a good report? The Word of God.
That is what we meditate on, day and night. It's a much better use of our time. You can't ignore situations in your life. You can't pretend they don't exist. Not brooding isn't going to make the situation disappear. God knows that and so did Paul when he wrote this. What we can do is focus on God's Word so we are better equipped to handle the situation. That is what I have decided to do with my particular situation. The circumstances are still there, but my focus is on the Word and trusting God. I am hemmed in with His peace.
I pray if there is a situation you are brooding about that you will make it known to God, release it to Him, let the peace of God rule in your heart, and focus on the Word with thanksgiving. I also pray the love God has for you will manifest itself in your life and you will allow His joy to be your strength.
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