Don’t Worry About Anything

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Phil. 4:6, NLT).

The other day I was standing in the kitchen, boiling water. The enemy randomly tried to get me to think about what it might be like to be boiled alive in the future, if persecution of Christians were to increase on the earth. (Does he try to drop random pictures of doom into your head too sometimes?) Holy Spirit caught that thought in its tracks, helping me quickly abort it.

He gently said to my heart, “Don’t be borrowing trouble. When I instructed you to let tomorrow worry about itself, it’s because that’s the healthy way to live. Today, I will provide grace for today. Stay within the boundary of today in your heart and in your thoughts.” Soon after, I heard Him whispering this verse to me:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Phil. 4:6, NLT).

What a simple, beautiful formula for living well. Let’s look at it in steps:

1) Don’t worry about anything. Jesus really meant it when He said to let tomorrow worry about itself (Matt. 6:34). In other words, when tomorrow comes, that’s when you can address whatever it challenges it holds, in the strength of God. Tomorrow is not here. So don’t go there right now. Stay here, in this moment, leaning deeply into the grace that Daddy is providing for this minute and this hour.

2) Pray about everything. Talk to Him about all of it. Absolutely all of it. Everything. Every big thing. Every little thing. Everything in between. Tell Him your thoughts, tell Him your feelings. If you have a sixty-second interval waiting for the microwave, use it to look at Him with your heart’s eyes and tell Him how much you love Him. Throughout the day, ask Him all your questions, both profound and simple. Whenever you wonder about something, bring Him into it. Practice His presence. Pour out your heart to Him. Share with Him your tears and your laughs. Let Him be your very Best Friend. Pray about absolutely everything.

3) Tell God what you need. With the simple faith of a trusting child, lift your need to Him. Do so with the anticipation of a loving and kind answer. Do so in expectation that He will perfectly meet your needs.

4) Thank Him for all He has done. Make sure to mix a whole lot of gratitude into the flow of prayers throughout the day. On purpose, remember all the things He has done for you. Get very specific in thanking Him. “Thank You Daddy for the beautiful fuchsia color on that flower!” “Thank You so much for how perfectly You just orchestrated that situation!” “Thank You Jesus for dying for me.” There are so many, many things to thank Him for in every single set of 24 hours. Colossians 2:7 instructs us to live our lives “overflowing with thankfulness.” No matter what is going on, practice thanksgiving aggressively. Get that gratitude muscle pumping irons!

When we practice living this way, what will be the result? The next verse gives it to us: “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7, NLT).

The peace that passes all understanding. We could all use more of that in our lives, couldn’t we? So let’s take Him up on His offer. Let’s let tomorrow worry about itself… and get to praying about everything!

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What do you do when the enemy tries to insert pictures of doom into your imagination?

24 thoughts on “Don’t Worry About Anything”

  2. That reminds me of an old “chorus” we used to sing:
    Why worry, when you can pray.
    Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay.
    Don’t be a doubting Thomas.
    Rest fully on God’s promise,
    Why worry, worry, worry, worry,
    When you can pray?

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    1. Chuckling softly with joy. That is so beautiful! I hadn’t heard that one before, but it’s perfect for this. Thank you so much for sharing it. By the way, I have never learned your name. What do you like to go by here at WordPress?

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  3. I used to be ashamed that I’m squeamish about things like torture scenes in movies, thinking, “Hadn’t I better get used to the idea?” But I don’t think persecution is something we can prepare for, at least not in that way. I suspect it’s like what Jesus said about not worrying in advance what we’ll say when brought up to testify – He will give us the words when the time comes. And we just have to trust He’ll give us the strength, courage, and whatever else we need for whatever lies ahead.

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  4. Thank you! Excellent teaching 😀

    I’ve had those same thoughts about boiling water.

    It’s a powerful thing- His peace guarding my heart and mind- I’ll be thinking on this!

    Ann

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  5. Jennifer – Thanks for sharing this !
    This is the essence of Christian Living – you described ‘practising the presence of God’, so accurately.

    I read a book by Brother Lawrence about practising the presence of God years ago, and it was life changing.

    Only as we practise being in God’s presence do we experience the Lord’s peace.
    Beautifully written and explained. 🤗🌷⚘ Thanks for the encouragement.

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    1. Your words bring an encouraged smile to my heart (and face), Sally, so thank you! I have not read that book but I have heard quite a few people describe it, and even the description impacted me a lot. I’ll have to find it and actually read it! Have a wonderfully blessed day practicing His presence and living in His peace! Much love to you ❤ 🙂

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  8. This is so encouraging. I do write about a very similar piece this week. Stemming from what I was feeling this week and I have some points that are very similar. So I am encouraged that God is reminding me to look to Him, take it to Him in prayer and rest in His peace.
    Thank you Jennifer for always so faithfully bringing His word.
    Blessings to you 💙

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    1. Aw I love that so much, Manu! It never, ever gets old how Holy Spirit so lovingly and generously confirms His Word and teaching and impartation to our hearts. It’s so special how it gets deeper into our spirits each time He does so. May He bless you with abundant peace as you rest in His love for you!

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  9. Surrendering your imagination into the capable Hands of YOUR Saviour will help as a daily exercise during prayer as well. IN his Perfect LOVE IS NO fear for this day or tomorrow. I speak as a child gifted with a vivid imagination. This is difficult until I found the truth of what is God’s realm and what the Enemy likes to use against the children of GOD. Being sensitive to human suffering and Christian Martyrdom is of GOD but HE has given us the ability in His Word to deal with it. That is Christ won FREEDOM.

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  11. I often consider how faithful I would be in the face of persecution – but also how faithful I am (and am not), in the real face of current disapproval/mocking/ etc. For if I cannot live faithfully, it is not likely I can die faithfully. But if these thoughts haunt me, I also know that the Lord never gives us more than we can handle and always provides a way through, and like you say, He gives us all the grace we need to cope with and overcome the moment when we need it! I choose to trust Him.

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