The New Year is often characterized by feelings of hope, newness, and great expectation. However, underneath the noise of celebration also lies the discomfort of the unknown. For some, this season of renewal brings up feelings of uncertainty, regret, and even fear. Rather than experiencing excitement for what’s to come, there are those who are bracing for what will repeat or, even worse, what will stay the same. So when Paul instructs fellow believers, “do not be anxious,” for those who are carrying the weight of the world on their backs, this simple command can seem impossible. But is it?
Read Me Next! – All Things New
A Perfect Peace
Emotions are unavoidable. They are ingrained in us and designed for us. They aren’t dirty but divine. Our feelings are expressions of our humanity, an existence modeled after the image and likeness of God. Yet, if we are not careful, our emotions will begin to rule, control, and define us. The solution? Surrender. Our dependence on the Lord does not ignore our reality; it highlights our need for Him.
Surrender is not about the suppression of our emotions but submission to Him. When our faith is firm in the Lord, we seek Him for counsel, comfort, and security. We replace worry with trust and isolation with communion. So when Paul tells us not to be anxious, we understand that he’s not telling us to ignore our circumstances but to surrender them. When we fully trust God, we experience a supernatural peace that is eternal. Further, even if our natural circumstances do not change in the way that we hope, our assurance in Him remains steadfast. For the Lord’s promises are beyond our earthly experiences. His promises are true and forever.
So our peace is not rooted in our change of status or position, but in Him who is perfect. God cares for His children. He provides for the birds, and aren’t we worth more? We are image bearers and destiny carriers. Therefore, we seek the Kingdom above all as we submit our requests to Him and carry out His will. His peace is found in our surrender.
With Love,
Tamara
Scripture To Meditate On
‘6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’
’12I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ‘
‘7casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.’
’25 “Therefore I tell you: 31 Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27Can any of you add one moment to his life span Or add a single cubit to his height by worrying? 28And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you — you of little faith? So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat? ’ or ‘What will we drink? ’ or ‘What will we wear? ’ 32For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’
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References:
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
