Just how does a person give anxiety to God? This verse contains the key and it has to do with giving up control of the outcome to Him.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Our anxieties are often over things that are way beyond our ability to control. Why then is it when we try to give control over to God as this verse instructs, we still find ourselves worrying? The problem is that while we are praying we are often still clinging to our ideas about how things ought to go. In doing so we are secretly continuing our attempts at control and essentially saying to God we know a better way. Getting rid of our anxiety when we pray begins by giving up our ideas and desires about things in deference to God. That is why thanksgiving is a necessary ingredient in eliminating worry. It expresses the relief we feel when we’ve finally given up control and have decided to let God resolve things His way.
Father God, I surrender all attempts on my part in trying to control the outcome of the things that are making me anxious. I give the control to You and with thanksgiving rest in the fact that You have heard my prayer and are taking care of these things that concern me. Amen
Your messages are always so useful and down to earth. Thanks so much for sending them
out. You bless a lot of people, Tom.