React to Problems with Thankful Prayer
Paul said, "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God"(Phil. 4:6).
This teaching tells us how to pray with gratitude.
The Greek terms Paul used refer to specific petitions made to God in the midst of difficulty.
Instead of praying to God with feelings of doubt, discouragement, or discontent, we are to approach Him with a thankful attitude before we utter even one word.
We can do that with sincerity when we realize that God promises not to allow anything to happen to us that will be too much for us to bear (1 Cor. 10:13), to work out everything for our good in the end (Rom. 8:28), and to "perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish"us in the midst of our suffering (1 Peter 5:10).
These are key principles for living the Christian life.
Go beyond memorizing them to letting them be the grid through which you automatically interpret all that happens to you.
Know that all your difficulties are within God's purpose, and thank Him for His available power and promises.
Being thankful will release you from fear and worry.
It is a tangible demonstration of trusting your situation to God's sovereign control.
And it is easy to do, since there are so many blessings to be thankful for: knowing that God will supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19), that He stays closely in touch with our lives (Ps. 139:3), that He cares about us (1 Peter 5:7), that all power belongs to Him (Ps. 62:11), that He is making us more and more like Christ (Rom. 8:29; Phil. 1:6), and that no detail escapes Him (Ps. 147:5).
The peace of God will help us be stable if we react to our circumstances, however unusual or ordinary, with thankful prayer instead of anxiety.
That's the promise of Philippians 4:7: "The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Stay Strong!
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