Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, February 24, 2025
I heard a memorable sermon once by Thelma Wells about being anxious about NO THING! It was based on these verses in Philippians. We especially need to keep this in mind in this day and age but, realistically, people have had things to worry about throughout history – at least since the fall.
Sometimes I like to read Bible verses in more than one version (including The Message paraphrase). I’m sure most of us learned these verses from the King James version, which is fine and probably the way we remember them best, but it’s interesting to also see more modern translations.
Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, 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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9 (New King James Version)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philippians 4:6-9 (The Message)