Don’t Get Anxious and Get Ahead of God

Read: Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Studying Philippians 4:6-7

It’s been scientifically proven that the human brain thinks 4 times faster than we talk. The brain is a very busy organ and seldom rests. Even in our sleep it can be busy with thoughts. The average brain has more than 6,000 thoughts per day and that’s just the average person and brain. Because the brain thinks so fast it’s easy to get ahead of others in the conversation. Even while someone else is talking we are way ahead of them, sometimes finishing their thoughts or sentences before they even get to that point. That may be why the apostle James wrote we should be “slow to speak and quick to listen” (James 1:19).

Because the brain is so fast its also easy to get ahead of God. While God is still formulating his thoughts for us or sending us a path to follow, we have already gone way ahead of him and become anxious to jump on whatever he has communicated in part and start making plans or take out before we have received the complete message or thought. Paul said wait before you become too anxious about something or anxious to embark on anything, but first go into prayer and make sure you know exactly what God is communicating. You might be sensing  that he is going to lead you into a new employment situation, but did he suggest it would be this week and that you should quit your job today or give your two weeks’ notice tomorrow? You might be hearing God is going to send you your husband or wife, but did he mean you should marry the person you are currently dating? Maybe God has shown you, you have a new house or car coming but did he say go out and get into debt today; become anxious about securing it right now? There are many life-scenarios we could apply Paul’s teaching to. The wisest thing we can do is slow down and pump our brain-brakes, don’t become anxious to get started, but go into prayer, and give God a chance to give us a fuller picture before we do anything about what we have heard or sensed in part.  

Meditating on Philippians 4:6-7

What part of Paul’s message speaks to you today? Is there a way you need to apply it to your life or circumstances? How will you meditate on these verses today?  

Praying Philippians 4:6-7

Lord, give me patience to wait until I hear more clearly, and not become so anxious about something I’ve only heard in part, so I don’t get ahead of you. I want to experience the peace of God which can guard my heart and my mind. Amen