Your Spiritual Multi-tool for All Work Issues

Like scenes in nature, truth appears different in different seasons of our lives.   So this morning I want to share a familiar passage and focus it on this season in your work world and I pray the Lord helps you to see its value for

Text: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) ⁶  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1. Be anxious for nothing

• This is intended to be a message of consolation, not a reprimand for being human.
• It doesn’t prohibit us from trying to solve the problem or from considering it a problem.
• The Scriptures not only guide us away from that which is toxic and destructive, they also direct us to what is constructive and lifegiving, as is the case with this passage…

2. Commit everything to prayer and supplication (and further down “let your requests be made know to God).

• Supplication is a type of prayer. A request born of humble pleading.
• Nothing that of concern to You is insignificant to God. (Isaiah 63:9; 1 Peter 5:7)
• The Lord offers us a cathartic environment. (David’s human reaction Psalm 109:1-17).
• How do we harmonize this kind of prayer with the instruction in Romans 12 to bless those who persecute you and Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5 to pray for those who persecute you?

1. God offers us a safe and wise environment with Himself. He knows when we are ready to receive His truth.
2. Blessing others who persecute us is sometimes a process.
3. Many times our willingness is created through our honesty about how we are feeling.

3. With an attitude of thanksgiving

• Be thankful in everything does not require us to be thankful for everything.
• I am thankful for “in it” is God’s faithfulness to use all things for my highest good.
• Every challenge we face is a faith expedition. God wants to take us through it and provide something for us that we can take with us for the rest of our lives.

4.  Surpassing peace is promised.

• Synonymous with inner security.
• This is supernatural peace. It’s not a peace because of my situation.  It’s peace despite my situation.
• Giving thanks leads us to peace in the same way turning the light on delivers a child from the fear of the mysterious shapes of the dark.
• Life happens, but many of us have more than one story about how an unintended and undesirable result led to an unexpected blessing.